This program provides undergraduate students the opportunity for full immersion in Chilean culture and the Spanish language in Santiago, the political, cultural, and economic center of Chile. After an extensive orientation, students take CASA's Pro-Seminar course, as well as 3 to 4 local university courses with Chilean students, completed at one or more of three top local universities: Univeridad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Diego Portales. Courses are available across a wide range of fields (course catalogs linked here), and all courses are taught in Spanish. Students will be immersed in Spanish through daily interaction with their homestay family and their Chilean classmates, as well as beyond the classroom. The program includes day trips and longer excursions both in Santiago and beyond. Opportunities for non-credit internships and volunteer work are available in fields including education, health, finance, government, and human rights. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a CASA research project focused on the topic of Historical Memory.
Students wishing to enroll in CASA Santiago, Chile must have completed SPAN 3303, or four or more other SPAN courses at the 3000-level. Applicants must have SPAN 3303 on their transcript in order to receive credit toward the Literature distribution of the Spanish major/minor. Students should be sure to check the external section of their Vanderbilt transcript to verify any transfer or AP credit on their record. Students should consult the Undergraduate Course Catalogue for details and limitations. Contact the GEO advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Spanish with questions.
What is CASA?
CASA is a consortium of leading comprehensive research universities including Vanderbilt University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Pennsylvania. CASA focuses on offering rigorous, high-quality study abroad opportunities in select locations around the world.