Chile
The Center for Climate Studies
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Study Abroad in Chile
Have you ever wanted to hike among the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, see penguin colonies up close, or explore stunning labyrinthine fjords?
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or looking for your first trip to another country, studying abroad is an important component of your college career. Living abroad gives you the opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures, gaining important global perspectives, discovering new things about yourself, and building lifelong friendships.
Our programs in Chile take place across the contrasting landscapes of Patagonia, from jagged peaks, massive glaciers, and narrow fjords to expansive grasslands and the lush temperate rainforests growing at the base of the Andes. Courses and fieldwork focus on key environmental issues faced here such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, tourism impacts, and sustainable livelihoods. The fragile ecosystems of southern Chile and Argentina are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – unpredictable storms, glacial melt, shifting temperatures, fires, and droughts. Our research in Patagonia examines ecology and geologic systems, how conservation decisions are made in the region, and species found nowhere else on the planet.
Chile
Have you ever wanted to hike among the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, see penguin colonies up close, or explore stunning labyrinthine fjords? Whether you’re an experienced traveler or looking for your first trip to another country, studying abroad is an important component of your college career. Living abroad gives you the opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures, gaining important global perspectives, discovering new things about yourself, and building lifelong friendships. Our programs in Chile take place across the contrasting landscapes of Patagonia, from jagged peaks, massive glaciers, and narrow fjords to expansive grasslands and the lush temperate rainforests growing at the base of the Andes. Courses and fieldwork focus on key environmental issues faced here such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, tourism impacts, and sustainable livelihoods. The fragile ecosystems of southern Chile and Argentina are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – unpredictable storms, glacial melt, shifting temperatures, fires, and droughts. Our research in Patagonia examines ecology and geologic systems, how conservation decisions are made in the region, and species found nowhere else on the planet.
Programs
Semester
Wild Patagonia: Fire and Ice
15 Weeks
18 Credits
Spring 2024
Jan 30 - May 10
In the Field
Fall 2024
Sep 4 - Dec 15
Waitlist
Spring 2025
Jan 27 - May 9
Open
See Program Costs
Program Costs
- Tuition
- Room & Board
- Total
Summer Session 1
The Patagonian Winter
4 Weeks
4 Credits
Summer 2024
Jun 2 - Jul 1
Closed
See Program Costs
Program Costs
- Tuition
- Room & Board
- Total
Here at SFS Chile, mountains are not just a pretty backdrop. Forests are not mere scenery to gaze at. Parks are not boxes to be checked on a to-visit list. They are lecture halls and laboratories, sources of knowledge and reflection and inspiration. I have had unique opportunities to dive in firsthand and experience these landscapes for what they were, what they are today, and how they will continue to change.
- Jack, Dickinson College
There is a magic about Torres del Paine that makes even the steepest of hills at 5am bearable, when the stars shine overhead, the Torres lie before you, and a first peek of the sun is visible over the horizon.
- Cayley, Mount Holyoke College
This semester has flown by quicker than expected and I am honestly quite sad to return to the states. I am going to miss the constant field work and classroom time spent outside of the actual classroom. I love being able to learn about the ecosystem and then be able to spend time in it. A full circle.
- Luke, North Carolina State University
Where You'll be Living
Surrounded by the jagged peaks of Cerro Dorotea and the deep blue waters of the Señoret Channel lies the port city of Puerto Natales, the gateway to the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. Located in the heart of this tourist hub is the SFS Center for Climate Studies, your home base for expeditions throughout the region.
- Up to 6-person, dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms
- Classroom and student lounge
- Kitchen and dining room, and on-site cooking staff
- Just a few blocks from the town square, shops, and cafes of Puerto Natales
- Short walk to the Señoret Channel, a scenic fjord with views of the Andes
PRogram Costs
Study abroad is an investment in yourself – you’ll return home with new experiences, skills, knowledge, and friendships that will stay with you for the rest of your life. SFS program costs cover a variety of expenses, including:
- Pre-program advising and on-site orientation
- Tuition and research fees
- Housing at the field station and on excursions
- Daily meals and snacks
- Airport transfers (for arrival/departure)
- Field excursions and cultural activities
- Student success and wellness team on site
- 24/7 mental health and well-being support
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance
- Official transcript processing
Financial Aid
We know cost can be one of the biggest barriers to studying abroad. At SFS, we’re committed to making our programs accessible to students which is why we award a generous amount in need-based financial aid each year. Our Admissions Team has worked with thousands of students and are here to answer your questions about the SFS aid process, aid available through your home school, and funding from external sources.
SFS Financial Aid: Need-based aid packages typically consist of a combination of scholarships, grants, and zero- and low-interest loans. SFS matches Federal Pell Grant funding for students applying to an SFS semester program.
Home School Aid: Be sure to ask your home school study abroad office or financial aid office what financial aid resources might be available to support your study abroad experience.
External Funding Opportunities: Organizations such as the Fund for Education Abroad or the Gilman International Scholarship Program award scholarships to students going abroad. These can be a great opportunity to reduce the cost of your program even more.
Research
The research agenda at the SFS Center for Climate Studies mirrors the goals of the Chilean government’s 2017 national plan on climate change. This plan identifies four themes for action: adaptation, mitigation, means of implementation, and climate change management on the regional and communal levels. Students work with community members, NGOs, and local landholders to measure and observe vulnerable ecosystems as Patagonian climatic conditions continue to change.
Our research focuses primarily on the following themes:
- Climate change impacts and resilience
- Conservation policy
- Glacial and freshwater dynamics
- Aquaculture and aquatic ecology
- Alpine and post-glacial ecology
- Protected areas management
Community
Puerto Natales
SFS is a newer member of the Puerto Natales community, where we have been based since Fall 2018.
We are in the process of establishing our program and building relationships with the community. In the past few semesters, students have participated in volunteer projects, assisted in local conservation initiatives, and played sports in town.
At the end of each semester program, we host a Community Research Night where select students will present their research findings to the community. SFS research data is shared with the community, local NGOs, and the Chilean government.
Meet the Chile Team
Francisco Javier Aguirre González, PhD
Resident lecturer of Earth System and Climate Science
Meet Francisco Javier Aguirre González, PhD
Ma. Rafaela Retamal Díaz, PhD
Resident Lecturer in Political and Social Dimensions of Conservation
Meet Ma. Rafaela Retamal Díaz, PhD
