How To Visit Chilean University

Transcription

1 UNIVERSIDAD TÉCNICA FEDERICO SANTA MARÍA INFORMATION MANUAL FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

2 Dear Students Welcome to Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María! With this document we want to give you some information and suggestions to make your stay easier in our University and in Chile. The International Affairs Office (Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales) will also be permanently available to answer your questions and listen to your suggestions. We wish you a successful stay in our University. We hope that you form bonds and create everlasting memories. Karol Trautmann Director International Affairs Office

3 ABOUT UTFSM UTFSM is renowned as one of the best Universities in Latin America due to its scientific and technological quality. In addition, its professionals are recognized for their talent for leadership and their humanistic training. It is a University with a strong interaction with the national and international communities. The USM contributes to the growth of the Chilean public sector and the development of the country. Our institution extends nationally and internationally and, according to the last will and testament of its founder, Mr. Federico Santa María, it pursues academic excellence with particular emphasis on making admission and graduation easier for those who, having the required skills and attitudes for the academic work, do not have sufficient economic means. UTFSM IN NUMBERS Number of students in undergraduate programs: 10,328 Number of students in postgraduate programs: 347 students Undergraduate programs: 46 (engineers and technicians) Postgraduate programs: 6 PhD and 18 Master programs Academic Departments: 14 Percentage of full time professors with a postgraduate degree: 39% Libraries: o Casa Central (Main Campus) o Branch Viña del Mar o Campus Santiago o Branch Concepción Publications available in the library system: 77,999 publications in 165,536 volumes Agreements with foreign institutions: more than 37 in 23 countries. UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS: UTFSM offers undergraduate programs in the following campuses and branches: CASA CENTRAL (MAIN CAMPUS) VALPARAÍSO CAMPUS SANTIAGO BRANCH VIÑA DEL MAR

4 BRANCH CONCEPCIÓN UTFSM s official language is Spanish; consequently, all its courses are taught in this language. Casa Central (Main Campus) - Valparaíso The Main Campus was inaugurated in 1931 and is located in Valparaíso. It has more than 4,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students in three areas: basic sciences, architecture and engineering. SIX YEAR DEGREES (Engineering Degrees) FIVE YEAR DEGREES (Engineering Degrees) FOUR YEAR DEGREES (Technical Degrees) Civil Engineering Architecture Electronic Technician Environmental Engineering Civil Construction Computer Programming Technician Electric Engineering Chemist Metallurgical Technician Electronic Engineering Business Engineering Industrial Engineering Electric Engineering (2) Computer Programming Product Design Mathematical Engineering Computer Programming (3) Mechanical Engineering Metallurgical Engineering Chemical Engineering Telematic Engineering Industrial Mechanics Science Degree in Physics Science Degree in Mathematics Science Degree in Chemistry Comprehensive Training: Humanities Department In our University we train specialists, scientists and technicians, but we also want to create an atmosphere where culture can be felt, where it can be understood not only as an accumulation of traditions and knowledge but as a permanent rational activity, which is given to the students through the courses and through other activities such as Workshops in order to stimulate the interest of the students and the rest of the community in a broad range of subjects. That is why sports, physical activities, humanities and language are a fundamental part of the student s education at USM. These disciplines help the students to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and their sense of solidarity, their capacity for teamwork, discipline, and to develop their creativity, adaptability and assertiveness. Overall, these disciplines help the student to look at the world from a broader perspective. The disciplines taught by the Humanities Department (Departamento de Estudios Humanísticos) are:

5 Philosophy History Arts Psychology Languages For further information about the available courses, their description and timetables, visit the following website: Click the link Ver Oferta Academica and select Estudios Humanisticos from the drop-down menu. Map of the Casa Central (Main Campus) BIOTECNOLOGY LIBRARY CIVIL WORKS COURTS CHEMESTRY METALLURGIC GYM 2 PORTER S LODGE PLACERES CHEMICAL PROCESS MECHANICS MUSEUM PRODUCT DESIGN ELECTRICITY DEFINDER/GYM 1 ELECTRONICS AULA MAGNA ARCHITECTURE FEDERICO SANTAMARIA S TOMB PORTER S LODGE AV. ESPAÑA RADIO HUMANISTIC STUDIES INDUSTRY/BUSINESS PHYSICS COMPUTER PROGRAMMING MATHEMATICS 3iE

6 Campus Santiago The Campus Santiago was created in It has more than 1,700 students in undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs. Academia de Ciencias Aeronauticas (ACA) (Aeronautic Sciences Academy) is situated in the Campus Santiago. This Academy was created in association with LanChile and its activities in the field of aeronautic sciences started in March Today, it has more than 300 students. SIX YEAR DEGREES (Engineering Degrees) FIVE YEAR DEGREES (Engineering Degrees) FOUR YEAR DEGREES (Technical Degrees) Civil Engineering Commercial Aeronautics Commercial Pilot Industrial Engineering Business Engineering Aeronautic Maintenance Industrial Engineering Computer Programming Branch Viña del Mar This branch ( José Miguel Carrerra ), created in 1971, has 2,800 students in technical, engineering and postgraduate programs. FOUR YEAR DEGREES (Technical Degrees) Mechanics and Industrial Maintenance Processes THREE YEAR DEGREES (Technical Degrees) Construction (cont d) Mechanical Projects and Design Industrial Safety Food Control Chemistry Environmental Control Engineering Projects Electricity Electronics Computer Programming Plastic and Metal Molding Automotive Mechanics Industrial Mechanics Industrial Safety

7 Branch Concepción The branch Rey Balduino de Bélgica has 2,000 students in technical and engineering degrees and postgraduate programs. FOUR YEARS DEGREES (Technical Degrees) Industrial Safety Mechanics and Industrial Maintenance Processes THREE YEARS DEGREES (Technical Degrees) Construction Food Control Electricity Electronics Computer Programming Automotive Mechanics Industrial Mechanics Industrial Safety Engineering Projects Mechanical Projects and Design Chemistry POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS Master s Degree Casa Central of Engineering Civil Sciences of Engineering Electrical Sciences of Engineering Electronic Sciences of Engineering Computer Programming Sciences of Engineering Mechanical Sciences of Engineering Chemical Sciences of Physical Sciences of Chemical Sciences of Business Administration (International MBA) of Business Management of Information Technologies Campus Santiago

8 of Energetic Economy Of Business Administration (International MBA) Of Business Management Of Information Technologies PhD Casa Central Of Sciences (Biotechnology (1)) Of Sciences (Physics (1)) Of Sciences (Chemistry (2)) Of Electronic Engineering Of Computer Programming Engineering Of Mechanical Engineering (1) In conjunction with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) (2) In conjunction with Universidad de Valparaíso (UV) UTFSM s official language is Spanish, consequently, all its courses are taught in this language. Claves Horarias (Time keys) Classes are organized in Claves Horarias. So, if a student says I have a class in room F 300 in clave 5-6, he/she means that he/she has a class in the F building, in room 300, from 11:45 to 13:15. CLAVE HORARIA TIME :00 09: :05 11: :45 13: :00 15: :40 17: :20 18: :00 20: :40 22: :30 20: :15 21:45 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICE (OFICINA DE ASUNTOS INTERNACIONALES (OAI)) The aim of the OAI is to increase the international presence of the University and to coordinate activities that could help to the UTFSM s internationalization. Among other activities, this unit is responsible for the processing of international agreements signed by the Rector of the University. It also maintains central exchange programs for undergraduate students and it is in charge of strengthening the bonds between the UTFSM and foreign universities and organizations. In our website foreign students can:

9 Find information about the institutions that have signed agreements with UTFSM Find out the requirements for a Visiting Foreign Student Find information about housing in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Contact us for more specific questions The foreign students who are visiting Casa Central can: Enroll in courses Ask for a student card (in order to gain access to the library and the laboratories), pase escolar (a card that allow them to pay less in the public transportation system) and a certificado de precencia, which certificates that the student went to classes in our University. Contact the Tutor Student Find information about accommodations and other procedures WHO ARE WE Director of the International Affairs Office Ms Karol Trautmann karol.trautmann@usm.cl Coordinator of the International Affairs Office Ms Katie Sherwin katharine.sherwin@usm.cl Secretary of the International Affair Office Ms July Valencia july.valencia@usm.cl CONTACT US Website Dirección: Av. España Edificio A, 3 piso Valparaíso, Chile Info.oai@usm.cl Telephones Fax OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00

10 APPLYING TO UTFSM Every year the International Affairs Office of UTFSM, gives students from around the world the opportunity of studying at our University. International students are able to access UTFSM through different ways: Bilateral Exchanges that UTFSM maintains with a significant number of American, European, Latin-American and Asian Universities. For further information visit Multilateral Exchanges (SMILE) Independent Students Agencies specialized in student mobility Foreign students have 3 study alternatives: 1) Six-month Programs: here, the international student attends the same courses as the full time students. The international students are allowed to attend almost all the undergraduate courses and programs of the University. In this context, students may enroll for an average of 4 regular courses every six months, according to their academic interests, their Spanish level and their academic experience. Additionally, the Humanities Department of UTFSM gives all the international students the possibility of taking part in Spanish courses designed to improve the competences associated with the acquisition of a second language. Application Requirements If a student wants to apply to UTFSM he/she will need the following original documents: A document certificating that the student has an international medical insurance valid during his/her whole stay in Chile (written in English or Spanish). A sponsorship letter signed by the tutor, the Director of the corresponding academic unit or the Director of the Foreign Affair Office of the institution of origin. This letter must include relevant information, describing if the stay takes place under an existing agreement with UTFSM or under a joint program or project between two institutions, identifying the corresponding agreement, program or project. A student s presentation letter which must include: full name and addresses (address of the student s permanent residence, phone number, fax number, city and country postal codes and ) so that we could have an easy communication with the applicant. An official academic transcript. It must include the grading scale and the minimum grade needed to pass. A photocopy of the student s passport Curriculum Vitae The application form completely filled out ACADEMIC CALENDAR

11 ACADEMIC SEMESTER First semester: March July Second Semester: August December BEGINNING OF CLASSES First semester: 4 th week of February / 1 st week of March Second semester: 4 th week of July / 1 st week of August APPLICATION DEADLINE First semester: 2 nd week of December of the previous year Second semester: 2 nd week of May of the same year Minors and/or Academic Certificates 1) Presently, UTFSM gives an Academic Certificate (Minor) in Humanistic Studies. It is worth 12 UTFSM credits each semester, which the student gets through the regular courses that are part of the academic program of the different degrees from UTFSM. The idea is to give a vision of the diversity and the interrelationship of knowledge, showing the student different disciplines to enrich their comprehension, expanding their cultural education in an organized and systematic way. Those students who obtain the required credits will receive a certificate that proves that they have earned the Minor. For further information, contact us in info.oai@usm.cl 2) Special Programs (2 weeks): during February and June, UTFSM gives intensive Spanish courses for those students who need to improve their idiomatic competence. For further information, contact us at info.oai@usm.cl 3) Special Programs: designed for foreign undergraduate and postgraduate students. These courses are particular agreements with foreign institutions / universities. For further information, contact us at info.oai@usm.cl SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Regular courses: almost without exception, foreign students may gain access to the UTFSM s academic offers. For information about courses, descriptions and timetables visit Spanish courses and language workshops (English, German, French, Mandarin Chinese) Sports Extracurricular activities (dance workshops, voluntary service, etc). Access to libraries

12 Access to emergency medical services: the medical service given by UTFSM is divided into 3 areas: Sansanito Policlinic, dental and psychological services. Both Sansanito Policlinic and the psychological service are free. It is important to consider that all the foreign students have to have a valid medical insurance during their whole stay in Chile. Faced with any medical situation, students have to pay for the attention and, afterwards, they have to ask for the refund of the money to their insurance company, showing the original receipt. Support before and during the stay in UTFSM: the International Office (OAI) has an academic orientation and coordination system formed by students and tutor teachers whose principal aim is to help the international students to get inserted and join the academic and cultural life of the university, the city, the region and the country. Orientation for six-month programs: OAI carries out an Orientation Week in which international students participate in a series of activities, supported by their student tutors and by the OAI staff. Some of the activities include: registration of the student s visa, enrollment in courses, diagnostic Spanish test, etc. UTFSM credential: this credential is an internal identification for the students of Casa Central and Campus Santiago of our University. It identifies the exchange students as students of UTFSM and allows them to gain access to libraries, gyms, emergency medical attention, computer labs, etc. The OAI takes care of getting the credential for international students who participate in the six-month programs. Pase Escolar (student ID) it is an identification given by the Education Ministry to the students so that they can have a lower fare in public transportation. The OAI arranges the Pase Escolar for international students who participate in the six-month programs. Cultural activities: SIGA (UTFSM intranet) to gain access to this intranet, students have to know their USM ROL (identifying number of the student) and the password. Both are given during the Orientation Week by the OAI staff. account: international students can apply for this account, filling out a form called Solicitud de cuenta in our website and handing it in to the OAI office. Information about accommodations: UTFSM does not provide housing for students. The OAI gives information in its website and in the following website: There are also accommodations with local families (Homestay). For further information, contact us at info.oai@usm.cl. It is worth pointing out that UTFSM acts only as intermediary, giving this information to those students who need it. UTFSM does not take any responsibility for any eventuality occurring in guest houses, shared houses, hostels, etc. Information about Community Service: The OAI website has updated information about the different possibilities international students have in order to take part in community activities, for example: teaching English in public schools, taking part in activities with children, elderly people, etc.

13 Tourist Information: The OAI website has updated information about some travel agencies that offer trips specially design for foreign students. This information is only a reference. The UTFSM takes no responsibility for any eventuality happened during trips organized by the students through travel agencies. INFORMATION ABOUT CHILE General information It is located in South America, in the Pacific Ocean s coast. Its continental length is approximately 4,200 km and 8,000 considering the Chilean Antarctic. Its continental and insular surface is 756,626 km², while its Antarctic territory s surface is 1,250,000 km², being the total surface 2,006,626 km². The average width of the country is about 177 km; the minimum continental width is 90 km, north from the mouth of Choapa River. Chile is a long and narrow country, which borders on the north with Peru, on the east with Bolivia and Argentina, on the west with the Pacific Ocean and on the south with Drake Passage. The country s population, according to the last census done in 2002, is 15,116,435 inhabitants. Its population density 19.3 inhabitants per km² and the average age is 26.5 years. According to data obtained from the census, 76.7% of the inhabitants of the country profess the Catholic religion; are Protestants; 5.8% do not profess any religion; 4,3% are members of other religions. The official language is Spanish, but there are languages from the native inhabitants that are still in use, such as Aymara and Quechua (of the north and the Andean high plateau) Mapudungún (the Mapuche s language, from the surroundings of Temuco, IX Region) and Rapa Nui (of the Easter Island). Political System Chile is a Republic, ruled by a democratic government. The three powers of the State are clearly defined and independent. The Executive branch is led by the President of the Republic, who is also the Head of the State. The Judiciary branch is led by the Supreme Court, which administrates justice, supported by the Court of Appeal. The Legislative branch has a bicameral system. It is divided into the House of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) and the Senate. The first one is made up of 120 deputies from the 13 regions that constitute the country, while the Senate is made up of 49 senators. The three powers of the State work according to the Political Constitution of the State, which was dictated in This Constitution has been reformed successively in order to faithfully represent the changes that our society has undergone with the restoration of the democracy in 1990.

14 Official Language The official language is Spanish, but there are some native groups in the northern and southern area of the country that still use their original languages. Religion 70% of the population is Catholic, although the State is a secular one and respects any kind of religions. Currency The Chilean currency is the Chilean Peso. There are $1,000, $2,000, $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 bills and $1, $5, $10, $50, $100, $500 coins. In Chile, to express decimal numbers people use a comma. For example: 13,5% (thirteen point five percent) and a dot is used to express thousands. For example: (ten thousand). Climate In the same way as its territory, the climate in Chile is varied, being determinate by the latitude, the proximity of the sea and the altitude. The country has two parallel mountain ranges, the coastal range and The Andes, between which there is a central valley. In the south, in Corcovado Gulf, this valley goes under the sea, originating an area of archipelagos, peninsulas and fjords, which culminate in Cape Horn. From the Peru s border and as far as Copiapó River there is a desert plain, with scant precipitations. It has a mean temperature of 16 C, but it falls as you climb the mountains of the Andes. South from this river and as far as Aconcagua River, the average temperature is 15 C and there are a little more precipitations, a mean of 113 mm. From Aconcagua to Bio-Bio River, the rainfall increases, especially during the winter, with a mean of 360 mm and a mean temperature of 14 C. South from this river to Corcovado Gulf, the mean temperatures continue decreasing (12 C) and the precipitations, increasing (943-2,488 mm.) From Corcovado Gulf and as far as Cape Horn, the mean temperature is only 9 C and the mean rainfall is 2,820 mm. Spring begins in September and ends in November; summer starts in December and finishes in February. It has a dry and warm climate, with temperatures over 30 C, that decrease during the night. During the autumn (March May) the temperature decreases gradually, while in winter (June- September) it drops, reaching even temperatures under zero in the morning and rising during sunny days without exceeding 15 C. Tourism Chile is a country with beautiful and huge contrasts that surprise constantly, because it offers a variety of possible places to visit. In the south, something you cannot miss is to travel across the Austral Channels, Patagonia and Insular Chile. In the central area the Ruta del Vino ( The Route of wine ), the outstanding sky centers and, of course, the practice of mountain climbing, are very good options. In the north of the country, some activities to stand out are: rural tourism, visits to archeological sites and astronomical observatories. We cannot forget the diverse beaches of the Chilean coast and the National Parks, protected areas all over the country, where different ecosystems show a unique fauna and flora and where ecotourism can be practice.

15 Adventure tourism activities such as rafting, kayaking, canyoing, rural and religious tourism are some other activities that our country offers. Energy The electric voltage is 220 volt 50 cycle (220V 50Hz). Those devices design for 110V should use a transformer. The travel devices and portable computers usually include an auto-voltage transformer (110V-240V) to adapt them to Chilean electricity. The public lighting is quite good in almost all places in Santiago and the principal cities. Most of the houses and apartments use town gas which is distributed through pipes. Timezone Winter: -4 GMT Summer: -3 GMT Chile uses the 24 hours format. For example: 15:00 hrs means 3:00 pm. Chile uses the European date format (day, month year). For Example: November is written Holidays New Year s Day January 1 Eastern and Holly week March or April Labor (Workers ) Day May 1 Iquique s Naval Combat May 21 Corpus Christi s Day May 15 St. Peter and St. Paul s Day June 29 Assumption of Mary s Day August 15 Independence Day September 18 Armed Forces Day September 19 Columbus Day October 12 All Saints Day November 1 Immaculate Conception s Day December 8 Christmas Day December 25 *Some dates may change according to the corresponding day of the week.

16 Gastronomy In Chile, people have 3 or 4 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, once and dinner, being lunch and dinner the most important. You can taste Chilean food in both exclusive restaurants and typical ones, also called picadas. These are located in different parts of the city. Generally, people eat Parrilladas, a mixture of red and white coal grilled meat served with potatoes, salad and pebre a sauce made of chili and several vegetables. Humitas are a mixture of mashed choclo (corn) and seasonings, wrapped in maize leaves as a packet and boiled in water. Another typical meal is the cazuela, a soup made of bovine or chicken meat, pumpkin, corn, potatoes, seasonings (spices) and other vegetables. Pastel de Choclo is a pie made of mashed corn, that covers a mixture of bovine and chicken meat, eggs, olives, raisins and spices. The pie is sprinkled with sugar before putting it into the oven, to produce a thin layer of caramel. A must-try is the curanto, a typical meal from the Chiloe Island (in the south of Chile). It is cooked in a big hole on the ground, covered with hot stones (it can also be done in a pot). Different types of meat are put into the hole with seafood (a very abundant product in the Chilean coast, recognized worldwide, that includes locos, clams, mussels, sea urchins), plus white wine, potatoes, milcao and chapalele (dough made of potatoes and flour). The great variety of wines, as well as the Chilean fruits and vegetables, stand out abroad for their quality and variety. The traditional drink is wine, served with all kinds of dishes, although pisco (distilled grape juice, similar to eau-de-vie) is also very popular. Water Although it is completely safe to consume drinkable water in Santiago it is recommended to those people whose organisms are more sensitive to change, to drink only bottled water during the first days of their stay, because the high content of minerals in the drinking water could cause some stomach upsets. Raw food It is not advisable to eat non-cooked vegetables, especially those that grow close to the ground (lettuce, carrots, cabbage, strawberries, etc.) unless they were bought in a supermarket, where the sources of the products are usually monitored. Restaurants offer also some guarantees. For further information about Chile and Tourism:

17 Credit Cards Credit cards are widely accepted and used. There are no extra charges for using them. The more commonly accepted are Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club. In medium and big stores, American Express is also accepted. The exchange rate used by the credit cards is quite convenient. In some rural towns only cash is accepted, so it is convenient to keep it handy if you are going to visit such places. If students want to use credit cards to buy in Chile, they have to verify that they have international coverage. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM s) In commercial and bank areas it is easy to find automatic teller machines (Redbanc with its symbol, a red R). You can find them also in gas stations and supermarkets. The machines accept cards from local banks and also Cirrus cards, twenty-four-seven. The exchange rate used by the automatic teller machines in quite convenient. The maximum amount of money you can take out from the machine is pesos a day. Money Exchange Offices In Chile, the foreign currency market is not regulated by the government so you can sell or buy money in any Casa de cambio (money exchange office), that use a daily exchange rate, according to the supply and demand. In all the principal cities there are Casas de Cambio and they do often use a more convenient exchange rate than the one used in airports, hotels and banks. It is not advisable to exchange money with people on the street, although they may offer a better exchange rate, because you run the risk of being swindled or robbed. For further information about money exchange offices see the section corresponding to the city you are staying in. Banking Hours Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM 2:00 PM Store Hours The stores have different working hours from region to region. In big cities the stores are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM and until 08:00 PM nonstop. On Saturdays, stores open until 02:00 PM. However, the department stores, malls and supermarkets open even on Sunday. In towns and little cities, small stores open in the morning, close at noon and reopen in the early afternoon. Malls normally open around 9:00 AM and they stay open until 9:00 PM.

18 All the prices showed in the stores include taxes. Tips In Chile, tips are not included in the bill in restaurants, bars and pubs. The usual amount of money for a tip in these places is between 10 and 15% of the bill. Communications Land line phone service (at home) If you live with a Chilean family you can make local phone calls (Valparaíso-Viña del Mar) without any problems, because they are cheap. However, the international calls and the calls to cell phones must be paid by you. To make an international call or to call to a mobile phone you can buy a calling card or you can call from a call center. You can buy calling cards at: Call Centers Kiosks Supermarkets Calling from a land line telephone: To another land line telephone (local phone call): dial telephone number (without area code) To another landline telephone (long distant in Chile): Carrier + area code + telephone number To mobile phones: 08 or 09 + phone number (7 digits) (Ej: XXXX) Mobile Phones (cell phones) The use of mobile phone in Chile is very common. There are different types of plans and programs in order to buy or rent a mobile phone. We recommend you not to sign any long-term agreement; it is better for you to buy a cell phone and to recharge it with prepaid cards. In our country a cell phone costs between $ (US$ 50) and $100,000 (US$ 170). Calling from a mobile phone: To a land line telephone: 0 + area code + phone number (Ej XXX (Valparaíso); XXXX (Santiago)) To another mobile phone : 9 or 8 + number (7 digits) (Ej: 9-620XXXX; 8-795XXXX)

19 Public Telephones On the streets and in malls in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar there are many public telephones, telephone booths and/or call centers. You can call to local numbers using a calling card or $ 100 coins. Most of the public phones do have a multicarrier service, so if you want to make an international call, use a specific carrier, dialing the corresponding numbers Carrier numbers: Bell South: country code + area code+ number Carrier 155: country code + area code + number CNT: country code + area code + number Entel: country code + area code + number Globus: country code + area code + number Manquehue LD: country code + area code + number Telefónica: country code + area code + number Telmex: country code + area code + number Transam Communications: country code + area code + number VTR: country code + area code + number Internet: Internet Services have had a huge development in Chile in the last few years. The use of s and internet is very common among university students. PREPARING THE TRIP Baggage It is very important to get some information about the airline s baggage restriction, that is to say, the number of suitcases or the maximum weight you can travel with. Most of the airlines allow two suitcases and a handbag that the passenger has to carry with him/her in the cabin. The weight varies depending on which travel class you are flying in and on how long you are going to stay in your destination. The acceptable weight is usually 20 kilos.

20 If your baggage exceeds the maximum weight imposed by the airline, find out the cost you would have to pay for the excess of baggage, because it may be cheaper to pay these taxes than to send things that you could not bring from your country by airmail. What do you have to bring to Chile? The tendencies of dressing in Chile are not very different from those of other countries in the world. If you are going to travel to Chile in winter, do not forget an anorak or a raincoat, because it is usually rainy and very cold. During summer, you can use light clothes, because the climate is warm, dry and not windy. If you like the mountains and you have plans of climbing or you want to take a course in mountaineering, do not forget special shoes. Although they are maybe heavy for bringing it in your baggage, they are expensive here (U$$ 80). Personal hygiene products and study materials such as notebooks, pens, etc. can be bought here. There is a great variety of products, brands and prices (except in the case you use a very specific brand and you are not sure if it will be available in Chile) If you bring a laptop or any other electrical appliance, such as cameras, electric razors or epilators, remember to check the voltage of your equipment and to bring or get a transformer, if necessary. You have to declare the appliances you are bringing with you. Otherwise, when you leave Chile you will have to pay importation taxes. Vaccines You do not need any kind of special vaccination to enter Chile, however it is recommended to protect yourself from typhoid, poliomyelitis, hepatitis and tetanus. Going to Chile By airplane Almost a dozen of European and American airlines fly to Santiago, most of them every day. Depending on the season, a return ticket from Europe varies between EUR 600 and 900. The minimum prices for direct flights from New York, Miami or Los Angeles vary between US$ 500 and US$ 600. Chile s Airpass for domestic flights given by the Chilean airline LAN could only be bought abroad, in combination with an international flight to Chile ( By land In order to travel to Chile from Peru, Bolivia or Argentina, you could enter through any border crossings. From Mai and until September, find out about the border roads in the center and south of Chile. In winter, the crossing between Mendoza (Argentina) and Los Andes (Chile) usually gets closed due to the snow for hours or even days. Ticket prices (approximately) US$1.000-US$1.200 roundtrip from New York US$1200-US$1.600 roundtrip from London US$1.800 and US$2.000 roundtrip from Seoul US$1.700 and US$2.000 roundtrip from Auckland