Country Spotlight: Chile

At United Planet, we offer volunteer abroad trips to over 40 countries – but we know it can be difficult to decide where you want to travel. The following article provides some handy information about Chile. You can learn about other United Planet destination countries by viewing more of our country spotlights!

Chile is a fascinating country. Maybe it’s the almost 4,000 miles of coastline in the west, the majestic Andes Mountains on the Argentinean border in the east, or the maze of islands and peninsulas in the south. Perhaps it is the variety of cultural expression you encounter as you travel from region to region. One thing is for sure – when you travel to Chile, you won’t have any trouble finding sights to see and people to meet.

Chile is incredibly geographically diverse: stretching up the western coast of South America, it is (vertically) the longest nation in the world. Chile’s vast landscape boasts deserts, forests, grasslands, mountains, beaches, and islands. From the distinctive Araucaria trees to Torres del Paine National Park, a trip in the undiscovered Patagonia region is a celebration of majestic lakes, snowy volcanoes, fjords, unforgettable giant glaciers and lost rivers. In the north, the vast desert of the Atacama will have you reaching out to the stars in one of the purest skies in the world. Chile is truly a nature-lover’s dream.

In the middle of the impressive silence of nature lies the capital city of Santiago, an energetic and modern metropolis, and home to one third of Chile’s population. Most United Planet projects in Chile are based in Santiago, and you will have many opportunities to experience the city while on your Quest. We recommend exploring the popular bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and visiting the bustling Paseo Ahumada. Once you hear the local music, Cueca, you will probably want to learn how to dance to it!

As a volunteer, you may also have the opportunity to trek in the Andes, the longest mountain chain in the world. If hiking is your thing, our Chile Country Coordinator Paul wrote this great blog post about his favorite treks around Santiago. You will also have the chance to taste South American food: delicious completos, a type of Chilean hot dog, tasty empanadas, a sort of salty croissant with cheese, beef, or vegetables, or ceviche, a mix of delicious seafood originally from Peru.

Living in Chile, you will be amazed by the diversity of people you can meet.  In the north, there is a large influence from the indigenous populations of the Andes and the Conquistadors. In the south, Mapuche culture is predominant. You can also feel German influences in the big cities in the mid-south. Many returning volunteers have told us that their most cherished memories from their Quest involved interacting with their host families and local communities in Chile. Says Chile alum Sydney Yovic, “I am unbelievably appreciative to every person I met in Chile for being so warm and patient with me. I learned a lot [of] Spanish and ended up having some life changing conversations.”

Chile is the most politically and economically stable country of South America. It leads Latin American nations in human development, peace, freedom and democracy. Unfortunately, not all Chileans have benefited from the recent growth and extreme poverty is not yet eradicated. United Planet sends volunteers to Chile to help the country strive for full social equality and to provide access to housing and education for populations in need. Below are two of the many projects United Planet offers in Chile:

English Teaching Quest: Are you an aspiring teacher? Do you love working with kids? On this Quest, volunteers work as English teaching assistants in government-subsidized schools in Chile’s capital, Santiago. English teaching assistants work closely with Chilean English teachers, developing lesson plans, providing small group tutoring, and correcting tests. They may also read aloud and sing songs in class with the younger students and talk about their own experiences. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required for this Quest!

Physical Rehabilitation Center Quest: This volunteer project site provides care to  young children and teenagers with physical disabilities. To volunteer on this Quest, you don’t need specific qualifications, but should have a strong interest in healthcare. Volunteers will help organize recreational activities for the patients while learning about physical rehabilitation in a different country. Though the primary task for volunteers is observation, opportunities to become more involved vary depending on the volunteer’s level of medical expertise and Spanish proficiency.

Each United Planet volunteer returns from Chile with different memories and unique stories to tell. However, all agree that it was an incredibly rich experience full of culture-sharing and personal discoveries that changed their life. 

If you are interested in volunteering in Chile, visit our Chile homepage to read more about each volunteer project. If you would like to volunteer in another country, check out our volunteer countries map to see where we offer volunteer trips!