Andes Mountains in Chile

IPDP Chile

About

IPDP Chile Administrators Abroad provides opportunities for area administrators and current student teachers and faculty members from Buffalo State and Universidad San Sebastián to learn from one another - virtually and through study and service exchange activities. Buffalo State participants travel to Chile every other April for 10 days. Universidad teacher candidates and faculty travel to Buffalo every other February for two weeks.

Location

Santiago, Chile (view map) is located in the central valley of the Republic of Chile and serves as the country's capital city. Chile, the long ribbon of land running along the southwest coast of South America, rests between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. It boasts a very diverse climate, said to be comprised of seven separate climatic types experiencing four seasons--summer December to February, fall March through May, winter June to August, and spring September through May. Castillian, a very distinct version of Spanish, is the national language. Also spoken are four indigenous languages and German.
 

Dates

Travel: April 2026 (10 days)

Pre-Travel Meetings: 3-5 before travel

Next Application Deadline: November 1, 2027

Accepting Applications: No

Visit from Chilean Teacher Candidates: February 2026

Partnership

Buffalo State Leaders

  • Pixita del Prado Hill, Elementary Education
  • Angela Patti, Exceptional Education
  • Raquel Schmidt, School of Education & Applied Professions

International Partners

The Experience

Buffalo State Participants:

  • Participate in pre-travel sessions to prepare for the experience
  • Observe and volunteer in local schools in Chile 
  • Experience language learning as participants and educators
  • Collaborate with teacher candidates and faculty at partner organizations
  • Engage and/or live with host families to experience genuine Chilean life and culture
  • Enjoy historical and cultural experiences in and around Santiago
  • Enjoy excursions (e.g. hiking in the Andes Mountains, visit coastal cities on Pacific Ocean)
  • Blog about experiences while abroad

Welcoming International Visitors

In addition to sending participants to Chile, Buffalo State welcomes visitors from Chile to the United States. Teacher candidates from Universidad San Sebastián, along with their faculty leaders, spend two weeks in the Buffalo-area in January/February.

Universidad San Sebastián Participants:

  • Engage in Buffalo State education classes
  • Interact with teacher candidates and faculty throughout campus
  • Visit and participate in activities at several area PDP sites (schools, community organizations, etc)
  • Enjoy historical and cultural experiences in and around Buffalo (e.g. Niagara Falls, museums)

Participant Voices

Follow Chile participants as they experience life abroad and share their reflections, photos, videos, and growth through their individual blogs. 

View individual profiles of past participants - colorful demonstrations of the impact of IPDP programs on the personal and professional lives of our students.

Watch and listen to alumni sharing their impressions about their experiences abroad and offer advice to those considering IPDP. 

To Apply

Overview

Applications are accepted during open application periods only. It is recommended that, prior to applying, potential applicants meet with the faculty leader(s) or attend an IPDP Chile information session. 

  • Applications are accepted through the School of Education and Applied Professions Office of the Dean. 
  • Applicants submit a completed application form and supporting documents
  • Handwritten applications are acceptable (typed preferred).

Eligibility

-  Open to all current Buffalo State undergraduate or graduate students completing student teaching in the semester during travel 
-  Open to all Buffalo State Educational Leadership Program candidates
-  Open to all leaders in Buffalo State PDP partner schools
-  Must maintain good academic standing
-  Must be able to obtain passport

STUDENT TEACHER & EDL CANDIDATE Application     ADMINISTRATOR/TEACHER LEADER Application

Additional Information

Pixita del Prado Hill, Elementary Education
Angela Patti, Exceptional Education
Raquel Schmidt, School of Education & Applied Professions

Final program costs are determined once all participants are enrolled. The current program estimate of $2750 - $3750 is all inclusive and consists of: round-trip flight, lodging, group ground transportation, group cultural excursions, travel health and evacuation insurance, and administrative fees. Some expenses are included in a one-time fee applied to participants' Buffalo State tuition or submitted by check to Buffalo State. Other expenses participants direct-pay to vendors before and during travel.

Past Programs

  • May/June 2025 - 3 participants led by Pixita del Prado Hill, Angela Patti and Raquel Schmidt
  • June 2019 - 6 participants led by Pixita del Prado Hill and Raquel Schmidt
  • May/June 2017 - 9 participants led by Angela Patti, Pixita del Prado Hill and Raquel Schmidt
  • May/June 2015 - 8 participants led by Angela Patti
  • May/June 2014 - 3 participants led by Pixita del Prado Hill and Angela Patti
  • June 2013 - 8 participants led by Nancy Chicola and Eric Krieg
  • June 2012 - 7 participants led by Pixita del Prado Hill

Past Visits from Universidad San Sebastián

  • January/February 2026 - 6 participants led by Francisco Barrales Gómez

Past Visits from Universidad Mayor

  • February 2019 -10 participants led by Rosa Delicio
  • February 2017 - 8 participants led by Zúñiga Pacheco
  • Fall Semester 2015 - Antonia Bozzolo and Fiorenzza Chiuminatto received Chile Ministry of Education scholarship to study at Buffalo State
  • February 2015 - 10 participants led by Javiera Palma and Adrián Pereira
  • Spring Semester 2015 - Bastián Pfeiffer and Christine Etchart received Chile Ministry of Education scholarship to study at Buffalo State
  • Feburary 2014 - 1 participant led by Andrea Barnier
  • January/February 2013 - 2 participants led by Lorena Soto