From the bustling metropolises of Buenos Aires and Santiago to the picturesque cobblestone streets of Colonia, and the ancient cities of Cuzco and Quito, South America is a captivating region. The WFU/Chile: Across South America program is a unique multi-city program offering students the opportunity to study and experience the region’s historical, political, economic, and cultural diversity. 

The WFU/Chile: Across South America program is based in the capital city of Santiago.  As the cultural and economic heart of the country, Santiago is known for its thriving business sector and its vast array of museums, galleries, and festivals.  The city serves as a major Latin American travel hub, thus making it easy for students to visit other sites in Chile and Latin America.

Each spring semester, a group of Wake Forest students and a Resident Professor travel to Santiago, Chile. Beginning in early January all students will start their academic experience in Santiago. Students will spend the month of February traveling throughout South America with the Resident Professor exploring the different countries and cultures. Students may visit Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay before returning to Chile for the rest of the semester.  Upon return from the academic excursions, students will continue with the courses that they started in January. 

It is the student’s responsibility to speak to their major and minor advisor(s) regarding their abroad coursework and how (or if) it will count towards their degree plan.  Unless otherwise stated, all courses are 3 credit hours and taught in English.  All courses taken on the program will count towards the Latin American & Latino Studies minor. 
 
Academic Requirements
While on the program, students must take:

1. CGS 170 Special Topics: Contemporary Chilean Language and Culture
2. At least 1 of the Resident Professor’s (RP) courses
3. Minimum of 12 credit hours

Optional: Honors Program (13-16 hours). Students hoping to earn an Honors designation for their LAS minor are required to complete of at least one 200-level Spanish course at Wake Forest before going on the program. Additionally, on this program, students are required to take one Resident Professor course, CGS 170 Contemporary Chilean Language and Culture and LAS 380 Latin American and Latino Studies Honors Colloquium (4 hrs).

Spring 2025 with Dr. Lisa Kiang, Psychology
RP Course 1: PSY 241 Developmental Psychology (D)
RP Course 2: PSY 316 Special Topics in Developmental Psychology: Self and Identity Development in Cultural Contexts (D)

Additional courses taught in English will be available through our partnership with Syracuse University and taught by local Chilean faculty. Availability for the courses below are dependent on faculty availability and enrollment. These courses may include:

• COM 301 Topics in Media Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity in Contemporary Chilean Film
• ECN 271 Selected Area in Economics: Latin American Economics (D)
• HST 108 Americas and the World (CD, D)
• HST 311/POL 242 Dictatorships, Human Rights and Historical Memory in Chile and the Southern Cone
• LAS 310 Special Topics: Chilean Identity in Concrete Images/SOC 386 Special Topics Seminar: Chilean Identity in Concrete Images.
• MSC 104 Music of Latin America (CD, D)
• POL 114 Comparative Government and Politics: Chile in World Perspective (CD, D)/POL 242 Topics in Comparative Politics: Chile in World Perspective
• POL 242 Topics in Comparative Politics: Sustainability and Development in Chile 
• SPA 111 Elementary Spanish I
• SPA 112 Elementary Spanish II

Spring 2026 with Dr. Mir Yarfitz, History
RP Course 1: HST 359/WG S377 Trans History, Machismo, and Sex Work in Latin America
RP Course 2: History Divisional. Chile in the World. Course code TBD

Additional courses taught in English will be available through our partnership with Syracuse University and taught by local Chilean faculty. Availability for the courses below are dependent on faculty availability and enrollment. These courses may include:

• COM 301 Topics in Media Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity in Contemporary Chilean Film
• ECN 271 Selected Area in Economics: Latin American Economics (D)
• HST 311/POL 242 Dictatorships, Human Rights and Historical Memory in Chile and the Southern Cone
• LAS 310 Special Topics: Chilean Identity in Concrete Images/SOC 386 Special Topics Seminar: Chilean Identity in Concrete Images.
• MSC 104 Music of Latin America (CD, D)
• POL 114 Comparative Government and Politics: Chile in World Perspective (CD, D)/POL 242 Topics in Comparative Politics: Chile in World Perspective
• POL 242 Topics in Comparative Politics: Sustainability and Development in Chile 
• SPA 111 Elementary Spanish I
• SPA 112 Elementary Spanish II

Full course descriptions can be found here.

Spring 2025: Dr. Lisa Kiang, Psychology, kiangl@wfu.edu
Spring 2026: Dr. Mir Yarfitz, History, yarfitmh@wfu.edu

All students participating in the WFU/Chile: Across South America program are required to live in program-provided housing. 

WFU/Chile: Across South America housing consists of homestays where students live with a local host family. This approach optimizes learning of language and culture. Typically, only one student is hosted per family. Students will have a private bedroom, but they may share a bathroom.  NOTE: Accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.
 
While on program excursions students, will live in shared accommodations.

During their time in Chile, students will visit Valparaiso and Viña del Mar and other local attractions.
 
During the month of February, students will embark on academic excursions to locations that may include Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay.  All costs associated with travel, housing, some meals and program activities are covered.  Students are responsible for some meals, personal expenses, and visa fees where applicable.
 
Previous excursions have included a graffiti tour and traditional Argentina BBQ at an estancia in Buenos Aires, beach visit and city tour in Montevideo, ride in the TelefériQo in Quito, and an unforgettable day at Machu Picchu.
 
Students will also have the opportunity for personal travel throughout the semester.

Most successful applicants have a GPA of 2.5.  If your GPA is lower than 2.5, you are still encouraged to apply and to discuss your application with a study abroad advisor.  The admissions committee considers a number of factors in addition to your cumulative GPA.  Students must also be in good academic standing with the university to participate in the program.
 
This program has rolling admissions, enabling student to receive admission decisions as soon as their application is complete. Students should have their applications submitted no later than October 15.

Students will pay regular WFU tuition, a housing fee and a meal fee.  The cost will include materials, orientations, excursions, most meals, housing during the program, laundry, and registration fees.  Accepted students will receive a travel scholarship of $1,500.00 to offset the cost of roundtrip airfare.  Federal and institutional financial aid may be used on this program.
 
Students are responsible for personal expenses, some meals, visa/entry fees and passport fees and round trip airfare to Santiago. 

All students accepted to this program a receive a travel scholarship up to $1,500 to help off-set the cost of airfare.  Students are also eligible for scholarships from the Center for Global Programs and Studies.  For more information on scholarships, visit our funding page.

Passport Information
Students going on the Chile: Across South American program need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid through at least mid-November of the same year of their program.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
US passport holders going on this program do not need to obtain a visa prior to the program’s start date. They will receive their visa upon arrival in Chile.

Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if they are required to obtain a visa prior to departing for the program. If you need to obtain a visa, it will be your responsibility to do so but GPS can help you gather documentation for your application.

Dr. Peter Siavelis
Professor, Politics of International Affairs
Kirby Hall 308
Phone: (336) 758 5451
E-mail: siavelpm@wfu.edu

Cody Ryberg
Assistant Director of Global Abroad Programs
Reynolda Hall 116
Phone: (336) 758 6194
E-mail: rybergcj@wuf.edu

Chile Global Ambassador:
Joey Crane (cranjt21@wfu.edu)
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Latin American & Latino Studies, History