High School Year in Chile - Program details

Host family

The host family that you will live with during your academic year or semester in Chile, is carefully selected by us. These are friendly, open families that will treat you like a family member. The host family can be a single parent, a couple with or without children, or a retired couple, with no restriction as to race, color, religion, economic status, or geographical location. We place our participants in small villages as well as in major cities including the capital, Santiago.

Regardless of where you stay, you will be fully integrated into the family life, immersed into a new language and culture, and become part of a school community, giving you the chance to experience your very own Chilean adventure.

School

We currently only place students in private schools as they have better conditions and better results. Since there is no obligation to attend the local school in Chile, we choose the school in consultation with your family and host family.

The regular school year starts in March and ends in December before Christmas. In July there are two weeks of winter vacations.

In the Chilean school system there are both compulsory courses and some electives. Compulsory and elective subjects of "Enseñanza Media" (15/16 years old students) are usually the following: 

  •     Spanish language and literature  
  •     Foreign language (English)
  •     Mathematics
  •     History and Social Studies
  •     Physics
  •     Biology
  •     Sports
  •     Chemistry
  •     Art education (visual, music, theater)
  •     Philosophy and/or Religion

Please note that subject offerings and combination options vary from school to school.

Local support

Local English speaking mentors will be on hand to offer you advice and help 24/7 in case of emergency. Most of them have lived abroad and know what you may need help with.

The arrival

You will be picked up at the airport by your local coordinator or your host family. You will have an orientation meeting to facilitate your integration in Chile and get familiar with the country's characteristics and its people's idiosyncrasies and help you identify and understand the differences between your home country and the Chilean culture. We will also explain the program rules, which you will need to follow during your stay.

If you wish, you will start Spanish class the following Monday in order to be well prepared for the coming school days.

Interested? Please use the quick inquiry on the right to get in touch with us or write to info@contactchile.cl