IES Abroad Santiago Summer - Health Studies
Description
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Santiago is a sophisticated, modern city with a population of more than six million residents. It is also the capital of Chile, the country with one of the strongest economies in South America. Because Chile offers its residents a community-centered public health care system, studying in Santiago offers you the opportunity to spend a summer gaining unique medically-related experience, as well as an appreciation for culturally-based health care practices and attitudes toward health.
Designed for advanced Spanish students in health-related majors, this program offers you valuable insight into Santiago's health care system. Develop experience through clinical observation and participation in public health care projects, while improving your communication skills through a Spanish course for health practitioners. All courses are conducted in Spanish.
When you step off the plane in Santiago, you'll be mesmerized by the towering Andes Mountains—and at how the city of Santiago sits neatly below them, contentedly bringing together Chile's colonial past and its new role as the country's commercial center. During your stay, see a fútbol game, taste asado Chileno, experience the innovative music scene, and take in the many sides of Chilean culture.
Academics & Curriculum
You will enroll in the following two required courses taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty:
HL395 Health Studies Program Seminar (required, 3 credits) This course includes a seminar and an observation component. The seminar examines the global perspectives of Chilean health and health care systems and provides the framework for your clinical experience. For the clinical observation component, you will observe clinical practices in public, private, community health, and rural healthcare settings. Experience and study the diverse responsibilities held by a variety of health care professionals. You have three options for the practicum:
- Clinical Observation - Visit private and public clinics/hospitals and interact with different health care professionals.
- Clinical Public Health – Visit and observe up close the different specialties in Chile's largest public hospital, Dr Sotero del Río. You will be able to choose among the variety of hospital departments and environments to focus your experience even more.
- Community Health – Work with a non-profit organization that works in underprivileged neighborhoods to promote health education and improve living conditions. You will be matched according to your skills and experience.
SP321 Spanish for Healthcare Practitioners (required, 4 credits) This intensive Spanish language course reviews fundamental aspects of culture and grammar, and introduces you to vocabulary related to health care in Chile. The course will allow you to improve your Spanish in a Chilean health care context, further preparing you for a successful experience in this program.
Accommodations
Homestay - You will live with a family or señora who helps facilitate your language learning and integration into Chilean society. Your homestay host provides two meals per day. Internet access and on-site laundry will be available.
Scholarships
Students attending this program may consider applying to one or more of the following scholarships:
More scholarship opportunities can be found on the Office of Education Abroad's
scholarship webpage.
