Living and Teaching English in Chile - Habits, Customs & Curiosities
Chile has one of the most successful economies in the Latin American region and is also a popular destination for travelers from around the globe.
Fascinating natural landscapes, a vibrant culture and welcoming locals are only a few of the aspects that make Chile a great location to explore.
The demand for qualified English teachers is also very high, making it relatively easy to find work at local language schools.
This page features a variety of things that you might want to know before departing for Chile, including guides to two of the country’s most famous features, Easter Island and the Andes Mountain Range.
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If you are planning to head to Chile, be sure that your passport is valid and that you have a visa (for some countries). It is also recommended that you get a vaccination against typhoid.
When in Chile, be sure to go see the glaciers at the Torres Del Paine National Park and take a dip in the Termos Geometricas Hot Springs in Pucón.
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Since the main language in Chile is Spanish, it’s a good idea to learn some basic words and phrases to help you get around and don’t forget to exchange some cash to Chilean pesos.
Traditional Chilean cuisine is also worth trying, especially the fried white fish known as Congrio Fríto, and Pastel De Choclo, a sweetcorn crust filled with meat, raisins, olives and onions.
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Easter Island is one of the most famous attractions in Chile. The island has been part of the country since 1888 but was originally inhabited by the Rapa Nui, a Polynesian people.
It is also home to one of the richest collections of petroglyphs, or pictures carved into rock, that you will find anywhere in the region.
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Easter Island is known as one of the most isolated places on Earth and is famous for its monumental statues called Moai that are one of the reasons why the island was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
If you get a chance to visit Easter Island in February, you can take part in Tapati, a festival celebrating Rapa Nui culture.
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The Andes Mountains were formed due to a collision between two tectonic plates millions of years ago that created the world’s longest mountain range.
The range extends across Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, where visitors can trek, rock climb, hike, mountain bike and explore ancient caves.
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The ancient Inca chose the Andes as their home as they were fascinated by its tall peaks and were able to harvest crops like potatoes and tomatoes, both of which originated in the area.
The eastern slopes also offer some of the best skiing spots in the world.
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Chile is a long and narrow country that stretches down the western coast of South America, covering an area of around 756,000 square kilometers.
Chile is also a country prone to earthquakes due to its position between two tectonic plates.
However, it eventually formed an independent republic in 1810 and signed its Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1818. The country is now home to around 17 million people.
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The country’s capital city is Santiago which is located in the middle of the country, 80% of which is covered in mountains and more than 30 active volcanoes.
Although the region had been the home of the indigenous Mapuche people for thousands of years, it became part of Spain in the mid-16th century following the Spanish conquest.
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