The College of Staten Island’s Center for Global Engagement is offering students an extraordinary opportunity to gain international healthcare experience through the CSI Medical Internship in Chile, a three-week winter program hosted by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) in Santiago, one of Latin America’s leading universities. UC Chile is ranked first in Chile and first in Latin America, with its School of Nursing recognized among the top nursing schools globally.
Students participating in the program will engage in an interdisciplinary exploration of healthcare roles within complex medical institutions. Through seminars, clinical observations, and field experiences, participants will examine how healthcare professionals collaborate across hospital systems, from bedside care providers to clinical leaders responsible for managing teams and improving patient outcomes. The program combines academic learning with real-world observation, allowing students to gain firsthand insight into healthcare delivery in an international setting.
“The need for additional medical placements has become increasingly urgent, as interest in our existing internship programs in Taiwan and Morocco exceeds available capacity by nearly three to one,” said Gonzalo Villena, Director of Study Abroad at CSI. “After evaluating the medical facilities, campus infrastructure, and academic spaces where orientation sessions and medical seminars are conducted, we confirmed that UC Chile offers outstanding academic and professional standards, providing our students with an exceptional international learning experience. We are actively building partnerships with leading universities around the world, providing students with transformative international experiences while maintaining the highest academic standards, and we are very proud of this partnership with UC Chile.”
The internship includes 60 hours of clinical placements and lectures in Santiago, where students will observe healthcare practices across a range of settings within the UC-Christus Healthcare Network and affiliated public and community health centers. Clinical placements may include hospitals, medical centers, primary care facilities, and community organizations that serve diverse populations. These experiences provide students with valuable exposure to healthcare systems beyond the United States while enhancing their understanding of teamwork, patient-centered care, and healthcare leadership.
A central theme of the program is leadership in healthcare. Students will analyze the responsibilities and challenges faced by healthcare professionals working in complex institutions and reflect on how leadership contributes to patient wellbeing, effective teamwork, and organizational success. In addition to developing a deeper understanding of healthcare systems, participants strengthen transferable skills such as critical thinking, flexibility, cultural awareness, communication, and collaboration.
The experience extends well beyond the clinical environment. Students participate in cultural activities throughout Santiago and its surrounding areas, including visits to museums and local attractions. Living and learning in Chile allows participants to immerse themselves in a new culture, build cross-cultural competencies, and develop a global perspective on healthcare and society. There is a fun, one-day excursion to the city of Valparaíso, where students will see the port city located three hours from Santiago.
Students are housed through Santiago Exchange, an organization that has supported international students in Chile for more than 15 years. Accommodations are located in safe and well-connected neighborhoods such as Providencia and Las Condes and include furnished housing, internet access, utilities, and opportunities to connect with fellow international students from around the world.
The CSI Medical Internship in Chile reflects the College’s commitment to providing transformative global learning experiences that combine academic enrichment, professional development, and cultural immersion. For students considering careers in healthcare, public health, nursing, medicine, social work, or related fields, the program offers a unique opportunity to observe international healthcare practices while developing the intercultural competencies increasingly valued in today’s global workforce.
For more information about the CSI Medical Internship in Chile and other study abroad opportunities, contact the Center for Global Engagement and Study Abroad Office, and can apply here.
