4 Things to Look for in Study Abroad Programs in Latin America

You’re ready to find your dream study abroad program in Latin America!

So, you’ve decided you want to study abroad in Latin America. That’s great! You’ve taken the first step on your amazing journey to new horizons, but what’s next?

There are many decisions you need to make, and important factors to consider before you touch down and begin your adventure. Not only do you need to decide exactly where you would like to go, but also things like course offerings, housing styles, program structure, and much more.

There truly are study abroad programs in Latin America for every type of student, but with so many out there it can be hard to choose the perfect fit. 

To help narrow it down to the perfect program, you need to prioritize what’s most important for you, and set goals and expectations to help make your dream into your reality.

Figure out what you want from study abroad programs in Latin America

Categorizing your wants and needs for a study abroad experience can be a great way to start. Try to begin broad, then gradually narrow in on your niche desires as you weed out programs that might not work for you.

You should first decide what is the most important factor for you. Do you want to be studying in South America for an entire academic year? Do you need to fulfill any of your major requirements while you’re away? Have you always dreamed of living in Chile? Whichever tops your list, make that your deal-breaker. If programs don’t meet your #1 goal, move on! There will still be plenty to choose from.   

Once you have your short list of programs, how do you narrow it down from there? Each program already meets your key desires for your time abroad, but what are the nuances? What separates a good program from a great one? Keep reading to find out! 

Consider all your options for study abroad programs in South America

When considering programs in Latin America, there are many formats and types of programs to choose from. Throughout the region, you will find programs that emphasize immersion and language acquisition, and others that are more focused on specific disciplines, such as business or engineering.

There are also programs that are built for experiential learning, such as internships or community engagement. Regardless of where you end up, there will be great opportunities for professional, personal, and academic development.  

[Browse ALL Study Abroad Programs in Central America]

If you're looking to improve your language skills and integrate into the local culture, consider studying in the Caribbean or Central & South America with programs that offer language courses, volunteer opportunities, cultural excursions, and homestay housing options. These types of programs will have you participating in every aspect of daily life as a local.

You will get to practice your formal language capacities in the classroom and engage with community needs through Service-Learning. If you choose a program with host families, you’re immersed in an everyday-life cultural experience 100% of the time, while also practicing your Spanish or Portuguese with locals at home.

Cultural excursions will also help you learn more deeply about your host country and see all the amazing sites to make you fall in love with your new home even more!  

Studying abroad will be a blast—choose the right program with these tips.

If academic and professional development are your main goals, make sure to do your research about the types of courses offered, and the host university where you will be studying. Is it well regarded or accredited in the United States or throughout Latin America? Does it meet your major requirements?

If you want to do an internship while you study abroad in Latin America, research the provider’s placement process, and find out about networking opportunities while abroad. Will you have a say in where you're placed and the responsibilities you will take on? Also, be sure that you speak with your home university to find out the requirements for your degree or academic program. 

[Browse ALL Study Abroad Programs in South America]

Maybe you're already done with many of your core study requirements back home, and your time abroad is more for personal exploration and adventure. How fun! What do you want to gain from the experience? Do you want to see as much of the region as possible, or delve into one aspect of your host nation? Do you want to check items off your bucket list while studying in South America or Central America, like seeing Iguazu Falls, hiking Patagonia, or ziplining through the Costa Rican rainforest? There are programs that offer all these experiences and more!  

4 factors that make GREAT study abroad programs in Latin America

At this point, if you have your location and study abroad program structure nailed down, you still have a few more things to consider before choosing your program. There are many other factors that can separate good study abroad programs from great. Make sure you also keep the following four things in your program before making your decision! 

1. Values-Oriented

Make sure your program to study abroad in Latin America is legit! What are the values the company exhibits? Do they align with your goals and moral directives? Are they experienced in education abroad and transparent with their policies? A good way to tell is by surfing provider websites.

Good things to look for are pages that list exactly what is included in the program cost, and actual people listed as the support team for your specific program. A quality organization that provides opportunities for studying in Central or South America should be transparent with their financial expectations, deadlines, and policies. 

Do a homestay to add even more depth to your experience abroad.

Study abroad, and especially the pre-departure process, can be overwhelming! There are many things you need to prepare before you arrive at your host location. Is there someone available to coach you through this process? Have they had experience in your host country? This can be a priceless resource while getting ready for your adventure as they can answer questions from “What’s the food like in my homestay?” to “How can I use my financial aid on my program?” 

[Recommended Program: Service-Learning in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile]

2. Phenomenal On-site Support 

You also want to be sure that once you arrive to your host location that you will be supported abroad. While study abroad in general is an amazing opportunity to experience a new culture and grow as a person, it doesn’t always come without a few challenges.

What happens if you get sick while abroad, and how can you let your mom know you’re alright? Does your provider give you any international health coverage? What if culture shock is especially jarring upon arrival? Having a team of experienced on-site staff and an efficient health and safety protocol can make or break your experience.

It’s especially helpful if your staff abroad are native to the country where you're studying. This way, they can explain cultural differences from an informed perspective, or even recommend the best place to grab lunch nearby! 

3. Affordability & Transparency 

When choosing your perfect program, you want to make sure you know what is included in your program cost. Study abroad is an investment, so transparency and affordability are important to keep in mind when making your decision. Great programs should lay out what you get with your money.

Does the cost represent the majority of what you will need to pay, or is it only including your host university tuition? A low-costing price tag can be compelling, but if it only includes one aspect of your abroad experience the final total might surprise you. You want to make sure you're getting your money’s worth.

Many great programs will list a program cost that includes tuition, onsite support, pre-departure advising, at least partial room and board, and even cultural activities and excursions. This way, the only costs you should incur on top of that will be your travel to arrive on-site, and any independent activities you may wish to pursue.

Ask your program support team for a sample individual budget for life abroad if you’re unsure of how much additional cash you may need! 

See ALL the amazing sites to make you fall in love with your new home even more!

4. Positive Alumni Reviews 

Don’t only take our advice! The best people to help you decide if a program for study abroad in South America is truly great are those that have lived it. If your program allows it, try to connect with people who have participated on the same program you're considering to get answers to some of your questions.

Everyone has unique experiences abroad, but crowdsourcing can be a huge advantage when choosing your program. Some aspects of a program can’t be advertised. Do you remember when you first toured your college campus and got a feeling like “this is my place” but couldn’t exactly explain why?

Those are the same vibes that alumni can talk you through. When alumni finish their term abroad, pieces of their experience stick with them, and they may even feel they leave some of themselves in their host country. Make sure to chat with someone to find out if you might have the same connection to your program as they did. 

You want to find study abroad programs in Latin America with reviews like this: “I got so much more out of my semester studying in Buenos Aires because I went with ISA. From the beginning they were organized and made everything so much easier, and that continued once I was in the city as they helped us work out paperwork like our visas and medical insurance as well as giving us orientations on the city, culture, activities, and safety. The staff were like friends to us, and their knowledge and support made my experience much fuller.”

[Recommended Program: IFSA Study Abroad in Havana, Cuba]

Make an informed decision before study abroad in Latin America 

“Do research on different providers!”—That penguin

Studying in Latin America is a thrilling idea! How amazing to take a break from your routine to experience a new place and culture. Regardless of where you end up, you will learn and grow from your time abroad. Make sure you get the most out of your experience by making an informed decision when choosing your study abroad program.

After considering everything from program location, structure, and alumni reviews, you should have a pretty good idea about what the perfect Latin American study abroad program means for you. This process of narrowing down your program selection is an extremely important step in your study abroad journey!

Before arriving on site, you want to feel informed, excited, and confident that your study abroad experience will fulfill your goals and be a great experience. Considering the factors mentioned above should help you feel great about your study abroad even before you get there.

This can also help reduce any nervousness (it’s totally normal!) you may be feeling about living in a new place! By considering your priorities and evaluating each aspect of your study abroad program, you can be confident that your study abroad experience will be everything you hope for and more. 

If you’re ready to get started finding your perfect program fit, check out these resources:

• 7 Best Universities in Latin America for Study Abroad
• Why Study in Latin America?
• Get Matched with 5 Study Abroad Programs in Latin America for FREE