Chile: Political Systems and Economic Development

I had an absolutely amazing time; I now consider Chile a second home and hope to return one day for a longer stay. SIT has no doubt changed my life."

-- Fall 2009 student

Explore the political, social, and economic dynamics shaping twenty-first century Chile.

View Complete Photo Gallery

Visit us on Facebook!

This program explores the multidimensional factors that have helped shape the “Chilean miracle” of democratic stability, governability, and macroeconomic success. It also looks at the lingering and persistent problems of unequal distribution of wealth and power, and low rates of political participation.

Students will experience and examine the profound changes achieved in Chile since the end of the military dictatorship in the early 1990s. They will learn about the effects the processes of democratization and globalization have had on the country’s and the people’s society, culture, and identity.

Topics of study include:

The formation of the current Chilean political system
The country’s export-driven economy and its integration into the global marketplace
The unequal distribution of income in Chilean civil society
The effects of modernization on Chile’s indigenous population

During their stay in country, students will have the opportunity to get to know Chile through lectures, field study, and independent research. Program excursions will bring students into closer contact with Chile’s forestry, mining, agricultural, and tourist industries, and provide a firsthand view of the impact Chile’s modernization process has had on different segments of society, including workers, women, and indigenous communities.

Students will meet with Chilean social and political actors, union activists, and community leaders. They also will be closely integrated into Chilean culture through their Chilean homestay and intensive Spanish instruction.

Lecturers for the program are drawn from institutions such as:

Study in Chile with SIT

Browse this program's Independent Study Projects/Undergraduate Research

Credits: 16

Duration: 15 weeks

Program Base: Santiago

Language Study: Spanish

Prerequisites: Coursework in economics, political economy, or development studies; 3 semesters Spanish Read more...

View Student Evaluations for this program:

About the Evaluations (PDF)

Fall 2010 Evaluations (PDF)
Spring 2010 Evaluations (PDF)
Spring 2011 Evaluations (PDF)

Phone:
888.272.7881 (toll-free in US)
802.258.3212

TTY:
802.258.3388

Fax:
802.258.3296

Mailing Address:
PO Box 676, 1 Kipling Road
Brattleboro, VT 05302 USA

Request More Information

Contact us by email.