ACADEMIC OBJECTIVE
The objective of the Santiago Program is to introduce students to the richness and diversity of Latin America. It seeks to familiarize students with the nuances of language, artistic expression, political culture, and environment that characterize the region, while also understanding the uniqueness of the nations in this part of the world. It also seeks to show how past and present can coexist, how legacies endure, and how modernity and innovation can thrive in a national context.
ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES
Please see the Language Prerequisite page for more detailed information.
Related On-Campus Courses
Gateway Course: ILAC 131, Winter - "Introduction to Latin America: Cultural Perspectives" - Héctor Hoyos
Additional consideration during the application process for this program will be given to students taking this course.
Please see the list of related on-campus courses for more detailed information.
DIRECTED READINGs
Students studying in Santiago can arrange a directed reading guided by a mentor who is a Stanford faculty member.
- Those interested in pursuing a directed reading should work closely with their academic advisor and the Santiago Program Director in developing these projects. Students planning to work with a Stanford faculty member should also consult with this mentor as well.
- A Directed Reading Proposal (PDF) must be submitted to the Bing Overseas Studies Program office at least one month prior to the quarter of intended study.
- A directed reading may be taken only in addition to twelve units of regular coursework offered directly by the program.
COURSE CREDIT
The Santiago Program offers courses that provide credit toward Stanford graduation and most classes also count toward an undergraduate major. Students must enroll in a minimum of twelve units from the courses offered through the program. For a list of all BOSP courses offered in the current academic year and planned for the next, and for information on which courses earn departmental credit or fulfill General Education Requirements, please refer to the BOSP course database. For information on courses scheduled for the current academic year and for enrollment, please refer to Axess.
Honors Certification in Latin American Studies
In addition to offering departmental honors, the Center for Latin American Studies at Stanford offers honors certification for students in other fields of study. The certification program provides students with the opportunity for interdisciplinary coursework and a foreign-area focus that is complementary to their own majors. In particular, students in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences may wish to enhance their studies by acquiring a first-hand understanding of a related aspect of Latin American life.
Students who have participated in the Stanford Program in Santiago, especially those who have completed research, are well prepared to meet the requirements for honors certification.
For more information, please read the description of honors certification in the section on the Center for Latin American Studies in the Stanford Bulletin or consult the Center’s website. Questions should be directed to the Center for Latin American Studies, located in Bolívar House.
CULTURAL EVENTS & TRIPS
Cultural experiences and field trips, both class-related and center-wide, are an important part of the study-abroad experience in Santiago. Classes have taken field trips to:
- Pablo Neruda’s home
- Southern Chile’s Lake District
- Historical sites
- Yerba Loca National Park
