A group of Chilean students at Columbia University has united to officially establish Chileans at Columbia (CHIAC), a student-led association dedicated to fostering community, cultural integration and professional networking among Chilean students and their peers.
CHIAC provides a welcoming environment for Chilean students to connect, support one another, and engage with their cultural heritage while integrating into Columbia’s diverse academic landscape. The association is open to all Columbia students interested in Chilean traditions, events, and professional opportunities. Membership is inclusive, with no barriers based on origin, gender, political affiliation, religion, or any other condition, aiming to create a collaborative space where all can participate actively.
The executive board is led by Patricia García-Huidobro (Master of Public Administration, SIPA’25) as President, alongside Celeste Díaz (MS in Social Work, SSW’25) as Vice President, Juanita Silva as Secretary (Master of Public Administration, Technology Media and Communications, SIPA’26), and Catalina Toro (Master of Public Administration, Energy & Environment, SIPA’26) as Treasurer. The team also includes Private Sector Event Coordinators Ignacio Matte (LLM, LAW’25) and Pablo Etcheverry (MBA, CBS’26), as well as Public Sector Event Coordinators Antonia Mercado (MS in Sustainability Management, SPS’26) and Nina Yacher (PhD in Comparative and International Education, TC'28). Managing communications for the organization is Rosario del Valle (MS in Journalism, CJS’25).
CHIAC aims to create a robust support network for Chilean students navigating the challenges of studying at Columbia. The organization focuses on fostering community engagement through networking events, career development opportunities, and social gatherings, helping students balance life at Columbia while remaining connected to their Chilean roots. CHIAC will facilitate the exchange of ideas about Chile by organizing informative talks, panels, and meetings with experts. The association will also celebrate its culture through events such as the commemoration of national holidays in September and participation in Hispanic Heritage Month. Moreover, CHIAC seeks to collaborate with other Latin American and international student groups to strengthen intercultural understanding and diversity at Columbia.
“We wanted to create a space where Chilean students can support each other across Columbia and enhance the incredible intellectual community that we have here. We aspire to connect with Chileans in New York, Columbia alumni, and the Santiago Center. This organization allows us to reach out to a wider network,” says García-Huidobro.
For more information or to join the organization, follow CHIAC on Instagram or contact: [email protected].
