Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.75 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing or above at the start of the program. Some local university courses may not be available to sophomores.
- 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent
- Enrolled in a Spanish course within the year prior to the program start date
Program Description
The Politics, Social Justice & Language Program allows you to fully immerse yourself in the daily life and culture of Chile while studying the Spanish language and political topics. Explore the intricacies of the Chilean sociopolitical landscape: student activism, the arts as a form of resistance, human rights issues, and an impressive literary culture (via world renowned authors like Pablo Neruda and Isabel Allende). Your studies and extracurricular adventures will without a doubt allow you to embark on a real-life case study of Chile's thriving society
Dates
Academic Year: Late July – early July
Fall: Late July – mid-December
Spring: Mid-February - early July
Refer to the IES Abroad for the specific dates, if available.
Location
As the capital of Chile, a country with one of the strongest economies in Latin America, Santiago is the industrial and financial center of Chile and home to more than six million people, making it an ideal place to observe rapid development and its effects on culture and society. Experience first-hand how historic and modern architecture, fine and folk arts, a dynamic business sector, and fascinating history come together in this electrifying metropolis.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Global Programs website.
Available Fields of Study
Agricultural Sciences, Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Biochemistry, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, Graphic Design, Health and Human Development, History, Internship, Journalism, Linguistics, Literature, Management, Mathematics, Music, Nursing, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, Theatre, Visual Arts
Course Listings
To find courses at IES Santiago – Politics, Social Justice & Language, follow the instructions on IES Abroad.
To see what Penn State students have previously taken on this program, see the Historical Course List, which is meant to be a guide as to what courses might be available and how they might transfer to Penn State. Courses listed here may not be offered during the semester you attend the program and the credit amount or course title may have changed.
Note: You are not limited to choosing classes on the program Historical Course List. You should consult the full list of courses on IES Abroad before choosing a program.
Course Selection
To find appropriate courses that will fit into your degree requirements, you will need to work with your academic adviser. Suggested tips:
- Research courses available on your program
- Meet with your academic adviser to discuss potential courses abroad and your degree requirements
- Keep in mind that courses abroad may change or may be unavailable for your selected term, so you will need to discuss possible back-up course options
- To register for courses on this program you will work with IES Abroad.
- Required course: IES Abroad Spanish language
Program-Specific Course Information
While in Santiago, take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. All courses at IES Abroad Santiago and partner universities are taught in Spanish.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components:
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- Spanish-taught courses at local universities (optional, 3–5 credits each)
- Internship placement and seminar (optional, 4 credits)
- Service learning placement and seminar (optional, 4 credits)
Academic Policies
- You must enroll in a minimum number of 15 credits and a maximum number of 19 credits
- You cannot take any courses abroad on a Pass/Fail basis
- World Campus courses should not be taken in addition to or as a substitute for courses offered abroad
- You may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad
- If you are studying abroad in your final semester at Penn State, please note that Penn State may not receive your grades in time for graduation
Course Equivalency Process
In order for courses from abroad to appear on your Penn State transcript, each course must be given a course equivalency. Please visit the Academics section of the Global Programs website for information on the course equivalency process.
Courses can be submitted for course equivalency before, during, or after the education abroad program, however, you should begin this process as soon as possible as it can take on average 2-4 months or more for courses to receive a Penn State course number. In some cases, it can be difficult to obtain syllabi from abroad before the start of the term, but when possible, courses can be submitted for review before departure. Talk to your Education Abroad Adviser about requesting syllabi.
Grade and Credit Conversion Scale
Grades and credit conversions from your host institution cannot be changed. They will be converted to Penn State credits and grades based on the following scales:
Grade Conversion Scale for Local Universities
| Host Institution Grade |
Penn State Grade |
| 6.4-7.0 |
A (3.95-4.0) |
| 6.0-6.3 |
A- (3.65-3.94) |
| 5.7-5.9 |
B+ (3.25-3.64) |
| 5.4-5.6 |
B (2.95-3.24) |
| 5.0-5.3 |
B- (2.65-2.94) |
| 4.7-4.9 |
C+ (1.95-2.24) |
| 4.0-4.6 |
C (1.65-2.24) |
| 3.6-3.9 |
D (0.95-1.64) |
| 0.0-3.5 |
F (0.00-0.94) |
Credit Conversion Scale for Local Universities*
| Host Institution Credit |
Penn State Credit |
| 5 credits |
2 credits |
| 8 credits |
3 credits |
| 10 credits |
4 credits |
| 12 credits |
6 credits |
*Please note that the above table only applies to certain courses at the local universities. Some local university courses use the US credit system. Check with IES Abroad if you are unsure of the credit conversion for a specific course.
