¡Hola! My name is Sophia Moore, I’m a junior studying television, radio & film and sociology with a minor in Spanish. I studied abroad in Santiago, Chile during the fall 2023 semester and cannot recommend it enough. Studying abroad in general is an opportunity to broaden your horizons and learn more about yourself and the world you live in, and I encourage you to chase that experience no matter where you go. However, if you’re seeking an abroad experience that’s more off the beaten path and will give you the chance to explore the beautiful continent of South America, Santiago is your ticket.
I chose to attend the Santiago program because I was interested in improving my Spanish. I didn’t know much about Chile before I left, and felt my Spanish was nothing special. Going into the semester, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up with native speakers, or that I’d struggle with the language the entire time I was abroad. Despite those fears, I entered the semester with an open mind and the intention to learn and absorb as much as I could about Spanish, Chilean culture, and what life in Latin America is like. As soon as I landed in Buenos Aires for the signature seminar, my fears dissipated. I knew I would struggle to get a handle on the language (in part because of the fascinating accent Argentines use, as well as the speed at which Chileans speak), but I would have a good time doing it. Buenos Aires, Santiago, and all the other locations I visited while abroad (Patagonia, Atacama, and Cusco, Peru, to name a few!) were some of the most stunning, culturally-rich places I’ve ever visited, and that in itself was enough to excite me for the semester.
The Buenos Aires signature seminar, connected to a course called Issues in Contemporary Latin America, is a wonderful introduction to the semester. Taught by both of the Santiago program directors, Mauricio and Paula , as well as on-site professors in Buenos Aires, the signature seminar helps you acclimate to the pace of life abroad, as well as acquaints you early with the other people in your program. In my abroad cohort, there were only 13 of us, but we were able to bond quickly and grow our relationships throughout the semester. These friendships are some of the most fulfilling and enduring relationships I’ve ever built— the opportunity to explore a new culture together and travel across a new continent forges connection in a more profound way than you can imagine.
A particular highlight of my time in Santiago was, in fact, traveling, especially the travel I embarked on with my friend, Ana. I met her through the abroad program —we had never seen each other on campus or interacted in any way while in Syracuse, but we got along so well that we decided to take an international trip together for fall break. Her and I visited Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, and Buenos Aires, because that city is just so magical. We navigated airports, ferries, and taxis together, tried new foods and new ways to immerse ourselves in the city, and had our fair share of vacation mishaps: a stolen sandwich from the communal hostel fridge and an extended layover in the Argentinian airport. I look back on that trip as one of my favorite parts of my semester, not only because I was able to explore new cities, but because I got to do it with someone who I now consider one of my best friends.
Another travel highlight of my semester was when I went to Cusco, Peru to visit Inca citadel Machu Picchu for my birthday. This trip had been on my bucket list for ages, and toward the end of the semester, I knew I had to make it happen. A major part of my trip to Peru was that I wanted to go solo; I needed to prove to myself not only could I navigate my semester abroad, but I could navigate it on my own. At this point in the semester, I felt pretty confident in my Spanish: I was speaking it daily with my host family, using it in my classes, and relying on it in stores, restaurants, and public transportation. Without fear, I booked my tickets to Peru and Machu Picchu and set out on my birthday adventure. Peru was, without a doubt, my favorite experience of my entire semester. The food was delicious, the people I met were so welcoming and accommodating to me, and Machu Picchu is indescribably gorgeous. Being able to see a wonder of the world that I had dreamed about for years beforehand was an amazing gift, and one that I am so grateful for. The travel built into the Santiago program is incredible, too. Visiting Atacama, the driest desert and the world, and Patagonia, the lush southern region of Chile, demonstrates the incredible diversity of the country and exposes you to the cultural breadth of Chile. I loved going sandboarding on Atacama’s dunes and hiking glacial mountains in Patagonia, and getting to do both trips with the program made it that much better.
All in all, my semester in Santiago was life-changing. The city itself is modern, clean, and well-connected, I look back so fondly on my mornings spent commuting to school and feeling like a local. Chilean food is a unique fusion of Latin American cuisine and European influence, and I got to try so many special dishes thanks to my host mom. I loved my semester abroad and will reflect on it for the rest of my life, using the skills I learned about myself and the world to navigate stronger and smarter than before.
Sophia Moore ’25
Santiago Center, fall 2023
TRF major, Spanish minor