ELEGIBILITY

• 15 to 17 years old at the time of application. Not older than 18 when the school program starts.
• Applicants must be enrolled at a high school in their home countries or have just finished high school not more than two months before the program start date.
• Good academic performance
• Spanish at basic or intermediate level and/or English at an intermediate level. (CEFR A2 /B1 levels)
• Applicants must show true interest in other cultures and a high sense of flexibility to adapt to new situations and people.
• Read and agree to the Standards of Conduct.
• Be in Good health

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

It is important to understand that this intercultural experience is not a Spanish language course, but an academic semester or year abroad. Applicants must consider that School in Chile is only taught in Spanish. They must ideally have an entry level equal to A2/B2 in Spanish according to the CEFR description. Having a good Spanish entry level will facilitate the overall process of integration and will also diminish anxiety in the early stages.

If the applicant’s first language is not English or has a basic command of Spanish, student must possess an Intermediate level of English(B2) as an entry language requirement to apply.

Potential applicants who meet eligibility requirements but have a basic or ‘0’ Spanish level are not excluded to apply.

For those potential applicants, the program includes 40 hours of compulsory Spanish lessons that are added to the regular 60 hours as part of the 3-week immersion program at the beginning of the program to complete 100 hours of language training.

All applicants must take and submit the EIL Chile Spanish language test with the application docs. EIL Chile reserves the right to interview students via Skype or telephone to confirm language level in case of doubts.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application process is carried out by our partner organizations in the applicant’s country of origin. However, if there is no representative, we will get in touch with you directly to explain the overall program and associated costs in order to process your application.

To start application process, please complete the following form

We reserve the right to accept or reject applicants based on the understanding and acceptance of program conditions, communication skills, maturity, and flexibility to adapt to life in a new country and school by participating in a total immersion with locals.

Consider application deadlines to start your application on time.

PROGRAM LENGTH DATES

The school year in Chile usually goes from early March to mid-December and is usually organized in academic semesters, unless a specific school divides the year in three terms. During the year, students have a winter break in mid-July for about two weeks and then a summer break from late December until late February or early March.

What is included in Chile?

• Airport pick up in /out
• Host family accommodation with half board during weekdays, full board on weekends
• 3-week Intensive Language training (60 hours(basic/intermediate) or 100 hours (for beginners or 0 Spanish) lessons total (mornings) plus cultural immersion, seminars, activities and trips while in Santiago (afternoons)
• Afternoon Cultural and immersion program upon arrival in Santiago city (Chile’s capital)
• Public transportation e-card for Santiago with initial charge of CLP$ 4,000. -
• Assistance in obtaining Chilean Visa and ID card
• School attendance (Public or semi-private)
• Domestic transportation to final school and family placement (round trip) from Santiago.
• EIL Chile bag and T-shirt
• Local EIL Chile Coordinator
• Mid-term evaluation meetings with local reps or EIL Chile main office
• EIL Chile constant supervision and support 24/7
• School reports and progress certificates
• End of program certificate
• Farewell
• Alumni network participation

Not included in program cost:

• International airfare
• School supplies, materials or uniforms (USD 250 app)
• Health Insurance and third party liability insurance
• Transportation to and from school (USD 100 per month app)
• Pocket money (USD 200 per month app)
• Lunch during weekdays at school (USD 100 app)
• Visa application and Chilean ID
• School Grades convalidation

Other expenses: School uniform

Most schools require a uniform in Chile. Depending on final placement, students will receive suggestions on what to bring to save some money. The rest will have to be bought in Chile upon arrival. EIL Chile will accompany students to buy their school uniforms and suggest places to get the cheapest possible price. Total cost should not exceed (US$ 200 including shoes, jacket, pants or skirt, shirt or blouse).

SCHOOL PLACEMENTS

Students can be placed all over the country in cities or small towns. Most placements are in public schools (fully funded by government) or semi-private (partly subsidized by the government). Availability of placements in private schools is very limited and cannot be guaranteed. If requested and available, they usually mean an additional monthly fee that will be informed before final acceptance. A special written request is needed to consider this option.

Placements will be confirmed eight to six weeks prior to program start date.

School convalidation process is not part of the responsibility of EIL Chile program neither that of the host family or local coordinator. School curriculums, subjects and terms usually differ from country to country, so It would be the student’s sole responsibility to get the necessary school transcripts and to do all other related procedures to convalidate their grades back home if needed.

HOST FAMILIES

EIL Chile strongly emphasizes this concept as a key element to the students’ success and overall experience and expects the student to adapt and participate in family activities not as a guest but as an active family member. It is the responsibility of the student to fully understand this concept in order to make clear the nature of this cross cultural experience and their own capacity to adapt to a new family and rules.

The host family concept may include a couple with or without children or a single parent with children who is interested in other cultures. Families are carefully selected to host exchange students.

EIL Chile maintains a network of local coordinators who select, screen, and monitor host families to help to make the final match that is considered as appropriate for every student.

Families volunteer to open their homes to a foreign student and to share the Chilean lifestyle. Our caring and welcoming host families will introduce students to their communities and help them learn about the country, culture, language, and local customs. Chilean families enjoy weekend gatherings and spending time with other family members.

They also expect a student open to adapt, respect and be part of local traditions and house rules.

PROGRAM SUPERVISION/LC

EIL Chile has a network of local representatives all over the country. They are in charge of monitoring the students’ progress and adaptation to school work, family and social activities. EIL Chile main office also offers a 24/7 support to students whenever needed.

HEALTH & TRAVEL INSURANCE

All participants must be fully covered for any pre-existing or unexpected health problems and must go through a general medical and dental checkup before departure from their countries of origin to guarantee a good health condition for the program.

All students must bring their own travel and third party liability insurance as well. Proof of these will be asked with application documents. Usually, sending organization if any will be responsible for providing and checking these items

It is the responsibility of each student to fully understand the nature, protocols and how to proceed in case insurance is needed during the program.

Students with specific dietary restrictions, allergies or health problems could be very difficult to place and will be carefully screened before acceptance on a case by case basis.

TRAVEL TO CHILE

Students travel independently to Chile. They must arrive at Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL) on the specific program arrival dates. Students must bring round trip air tickets from home country together with their temporary resident student visa stamped in their passports and other required documents.

VISA & DOCUMENTS TO CHILE

In order to participate in this program, a student must hold a valid passport for at least six months longer than the intended length of stay.

A temporary resident student visa is also a requirement to enter the country and participate in the program. Visa application must be done at the closest Chilean consulate or embassy in the student’s home country. Take enough time to apply, at least 8 weeks prior to departure, since this may be a long process that in many cases involves a number of documents that must be available at the time of application (e.g. a police background check, a legalized parental consent, etc).

Some consulates require an in-person appointment in order to apply. Be prepared to travel if necessary.

Find your nearest Chilean Consulate complete the following form

The applicant and his/her parents will be responsible for collecting and paying for the required application items to apply for a Temporary Resident Student Visa before travelling to Chile.

Experiment Chile will assist in the visa application procedure also by providing detailed information and a program enrollment letter with the placement confirmation and invoice.

Please visit the Chilean Foreign and Immigration department web site for visa forms www.extranjeria.gob.cl and for the most up-to- date Visa Fees in order to ensure that no changes are overlooked. complete the following form

All students must also have and bring the following documents to Chile:

1.- An official travel authorization form signed by both parents at a notary and legalized at the closest Chilean consulate or embassy in their countries of origin with a translation in Spanish.

Find your nearest Chilean Consulate complete the following form

2.- A Legalized Birth certificate with translation in Spanish plus three copies.

Entry reciprocity fee to be paid upon arrival in Santiago Airport

Citizens with a passport from any of the countries listed below must pay an entry reciprocity fee (cash or credit cards)

upon arrival at the international Airport in Santiago City. This fee is paid only once and is valid until passport expires.

Australia US$ 95
Mexico US$ 32
Albania US$ 30

There is NO entry reciprocity fee for US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland residents

ARRIVAL IN CHILE

All students must arrive on the specific set dates at Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL).
Students will be welcomed by EIL Chile staff or host family members at the airport. Then, they will be transferred to their first host families in Santiago.
Host families and EIL Chile representative will be ready to help students reach EIL Chile orientation site.
Arrival details and travel arrangements must be confirmed at least four weeks prior to arrival date.

ORIENTATION & IMMERSION PROGRAM upon arrival in Chile

Students must be realistically prepared for the high school experience abroad and understand that this is not a language course, but a life changing experience.

In order to facilitate student’s understanding of the program components, language, local culture and program demands, all students attend a 3 week in-country orientation right after arrival in Santiago city. This is organized by Experiment Chile and covers the overall experience of life in Chile. Theory and practice in the form of seminars and workshops to understand cultural differences, geography, manners, expectations and all details involved in a cultural exchange experience away from home. The program also includes language lessons every morning to introduce them into Chilean Spanish and get them ready for the challenges they will face with host families and school demands at the permanent site. While in country orientation in Santiago students live with host families.

After the orientation & immersion program, students will travel by bus (or by plane if hosted in the far north or south) to their host community where they will be met either by the host family or the local EIL Chile coordinator who will hold an introductory meeting with both host family and student.