Marshall University students have the opportunity to travel all over Chile this summer as part of the KIIS study abroad program.

The Chile trip consists of travel to six different cities including Santiago, La Serena, Vicuña, Ovalle, Viña del Mar and Valparaiso.

The four week course includes guest speakers, excursions and more than a week of free days.

Students will also have the opportunity to go on a 22 km bike ride and stop at various wineries along the way.

Professor Shawn Schulenberg will escort students to Chile and teach various political science classes related to Latin America.

Schulenberg teaches political science at Marshall University. He said teaching Latin American politics in America just isn’t the same as learning in Latin America.

“I can show them [students] pictures, but actually being there is a completely different experience,” Schulenberg said.

Schulenberg said he tries to focus less on readings and more on active learning during the trip.

Students can talk to human rights activists and social movement activists among a number of other natives who have experienced cruelties of the government.

Students will also visit the observatories Chile has to offer.

“Chile has some of the most amazing observatories in the world,” Schulenberg said. “I remember looking in the telescope with my own eye and seeing the rings of Saturn.”

Caitlin Fowlkes can be contacted at [email protected].