Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Temuco

Located in southern Chile, Middlebury's program in Temuco offers students an immersive academic and cultural experience in a region known for its rich history, diverse communities, and strong connections to Indigenous culture. Students enroll directly at the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO), taking courses alongside Chilean peers while engaging with a university community that offers particular strengths in sociology, anthropology, and Indigenous studies. Guided by the Middlebury Language Pledge, participants deepen their Spanish proficiency through daily interaction with local students, faculty, and community members while gaining a more nuanced understanding of Chilean society.

The Universidad de La Frontera is one of southern Chile's leading universities and is recognized for its commitment to research, community engagement, and intercultural learning. With approximately 5,000 students across programs in medicine, engineering, administration, education, humanities, and agricultural sciences, UFRO provides a close-knit academic environment where students can participate fully in university life. With relatively few international students, the university offers an especially authentic immersion experience for students seeking meaningful connections with Chilean peers and the local community.

Temuco, located in the heart of Chile's Araucanía region, provides a unique setting for exploring Chile's cultural diversity and Indigenous heritage. Just a short distance from the city center, UFRO allows students to experience the daily rhythms of a regional university town while remaining connected to the natural beauty of southern Chile, including nearby lakes, forests, and mountains. For students interested in language, culture, anthropology, and intercultural exchange, Temuco offers an exceptional opportunity to engage deeply with Chile beyond the country's major urban centers.