Information HANDBOOK. CHILE FREE TIME HEALTH CUSTOMS TIPS COSTS OF LIFE Duoc UC INFORMATION

Transcription

1 The i Information HANDBOOK CHILE FREE TIME HEALTH CUSTOMS TIPS COSTS OF LIFE Duoc UC INFORMATION

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3 The i Information HANDBOOK This Handbook will make your stay in Chile easier. Here you will find tips on Chile, contact numbers and useful information to help you settle in this wonderful country.

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5 CHILE Arrival in Chile Living in Chile Tour The Capital LEISURE ACTIVITIES Santiago de Chile Crafts Viña del Mar HEALTH Precautions and care Private Clinics CUSTOMS Modes of Chileans Typical expressions TIPS Exchange houses Banks Trade Communication Systems Transport COST OF LIVING Accommodation Prices Duoc UC About Us Student Affairs International Relations Contact INFORMATION Consulates in Chile Personal Notes

6 Duoc UC and the International Affairs Office would like to welcome you to our country. We hope you enjoy your stay in our Institution and in Chile. Jaime Alcalde Rector Duoc UC Carlos Hinrichsen Director RRII

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8 ARRIVING IN CHILE How to Get Here Over 20 airlines fly to Santiago from the major cities of Europe, the U.S. and Latin America. Many have daily flights. Airport:

9 Upon arrival all passengers must go through International Police and show their identifying documents (passport or National I.D. card) and a stamped visa. Before going through Immigration, nationals of Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Australia must pay a Reciprocal Tax, in reciprocatation of the compulsory fee charged to Chilean nationals for an entry visa to these countries. Next, follow the signs to the baggage carousels. You ll find free baggage carts along the way. Next, your luggage will go through inspection by Customs and the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG).

10 ARRIVAL IN CHILE Santiago REQUEST YOUR CÉDULA DE IDENTIDAD PARA EXTRANJEROS (ALIEN I.D. CARD) GO TO: Avenida Huérfanos 1570, corner of Manuel Rodríguez, Metro Estación Santa Ana. YOU SHOULD BRING: 1. A valid passport stamped with your resident s visa and the certificate of registration in the Registro de Extranjeros de Polícía Internacional (International Police Alien Register). 2. Payment Receipt for the I.D. Card. 3. A simple photocopy of the pages of your passport containing: a) passport holder s identification b) term of effectiveness of the passport and the issued visa c) date of entry into Chile (if the visa is consular) d) your Alien Registration Card

11 TRANSPORT FROM THE AIRPORT You have several alternatives for going from the Airport to Downtown Santiago, available 24/7. However, we recommend you use the Airport s official services, which should show you the proper identification. The Airport is serviced by a minibus shuttle service called Transfer. Each minibus can carry 9 passengers from the Airport to their respective destinations. Shuttle tickets can be purchased in the Airport Arrival area and cost around Ch$ The most direct and quickest service, but also the most expensive, is taking a taxi. The trip to downtown Santiago costs around Ch$ (roughly US$40). If you fail to request your I.D. card within 30 days of arrival, before you do so you will need to obtain a special authorization from the Immigration Department of the Interior Ministry or from the Regional Intendant s Office, or documentary proof of having been sanctioned.

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13 Situated along South America s west coast, Chile s 2,485- mile territory traverses deserts, mountains, plains, forests, ice fields -- the bountiful resources for its major production activities, which include mining, livestock raising, agriculture, crop science, viticulture, fisheries, tourism and industrial development. CHILE Surface area: 756,096 sq km Population: 17,094,275 inhabitants Capital city: Santiago Language: Spanish

14 LIVING IN CHILE OFFICIAL CURRENCY: Chilean Peso (Ch$ or CLP). There are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 peso coins, and five different denominations of banknotes: $1.000, $2.000, $5.000, $ and $ pesos. We recommend changing your money only in banks, money exchange houses and ATM machines. NEVER change money on the street. You will find ATM machines most everywhere and of easy access. You can use your credit card to make payments for all major services and for purchases in most shops. TIME ZONE: UTC/GMT - 4 hours.

15 SAFETY: Chile is the Latin American region s safest country. The national police or Carabineros are responsible for citizens safety on the streets and are positively perceived by most Chileans. In case a carabinero should ask you for I.D. (this is legal though rare in Chile), we recommend you carry with you at all times your National I.D. card or passport (or a copy of the latter). Never try to bribe a carabinero. TECHNOLOGY: Chile is very developed technologically and there are excellent Internet, Wifi and telephony services. ENERGY: The electric current is 220V, 50Hz. Devices built for 110V must be used with a transformer. Travel devices and portable computers generally have a high voltage transformer (110V-240V) that adapts to Chile s electric voltage.

16 LIVING IN CHILE Tourist Information TOURISM Chile offers great natural marvels in San Pedro de Atacama, Easter Island, Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park, and much more, which attract growing numbers of international visitors. There are many alternatives suitable for all budgets: fishing lodges, cabins in the mountains, along the rivers and the sea, rafting, kayaking, trekking, mountain climbing, windsurfing, rock climbing, water skiing, outdoor motorcycling, etc. Chile has 32 National Parks, 47 National Reserves and 15 Nature Monuments for nature lovers to visit and enjoy.

17 SERNATUR (Servicio Nacional de Turismo or National Tourism Service) has offices and information stands in most cities and airports. Its Santiago main office is located at: Avenida Providencia 1550 (Metro Manuel Montt). OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Telephone: (02) Holidays IN CHILE New Year s Day: January 1 Holy Week: March - April (Varies) Labor Day: May 1 Naval Battle of Iquique: May 21 Saints Peter and Paul: June 29 Our Lady of Carmen Feastday: July 16 Our Lady of the Assumption: August 15 Independence Day: September 18 Armed Forces Day: September 19 Columbus Day or Day of the Race: October 12 All Saints: November 1 Immaculate Conception: December 8 Christmas Day: December 25 Some holidays may be moved to the nearest Monday or Friday to create a long weekend.

18 SANTIAGO The Capital Santiago was founded on February 12, 1541 at the foot of a hill called Huelén, today known as Cerro Santa Lucía, where there are footpaths, small squares, vista points and monuments. Santiago is located on a plain called Cuenca de Santiago, or Santiago watershed. It is also called Santiago de Chile and is the country s largest city. It is 543 meters above sea level and has a total surface area of 15,554 sq km. It is a hundred miles away from the coast and 40 kms from the Andes, in the Metropolitan Region, the most populous region of Chile. According to the latest census taken nationwide in 2002, the Metropolitan Region has a total population of 6,013,185. Today Santiago is a modern city of over 6 million inhabitants, the center of most of Chile s cultural, economic, industrial and business activities. Its geographic location is ideal -- just a little over an hour away are ski slopes in the mountains and beaches along the coast, for world-class skiing and surfing. Santiago houses the main bodies of the government and the business, finance and cultural entities that have shaped the history of both the city and the country. The exception is the National Congress, located in Valparaiso.

19 CLIMATE Santiago s climate is very similar to that of the Mediterranean. The spring and summer months are from September to March, when temperatures range from 17 C and 33 C (55 F to 96 F), and autumn and winter is from March to August, with temperatures from 0 C to 15 C (36 F to 59 F). Winter is the rainy season. In summer it is dry and hot, but at night the temperature drops down and is pleasantly cool, and it almost never rains.

20 LEISURE ACTIVITIES In Santiago The alternatives for enjoying one s free time in Santiago have expanded enormously these past few years. There are a variety of theaters and art galleries to visit, movie houses show the latest films from Hollywood and Europe, and there are also the Teatro Municipal s classical concerts and opera season. You don t have to buy expensive tickets to enjoy the visual arts, theater or music. There are small cultural centers, theaters and clubs where you can watch interesting shows, bars where local groups perform, and during the summer nights theater groups perform in the city parks and squares.

21 1. Barrio Bellas Artes - Lastarria 2. Bella Vista - Cerro San Cristóbal 3. Mercado y Vega Central 4. Plaza de Armas - Centro Cultural la Moneda

22 LEISURE ACTIVITIES In Santiago Chilean Handicrafts Avenida Bellavista Providencia Telephone: (02) Santa Lucía Crafts Fair Alameda Bernardo O Higgins corner of Carmen Telephone: (02) Indigenous Art Exhibition Center Interior Centro Santa Lucía Telephone: (02) Museum of American Popular Art Compañía 2691, Santiago Telephone: (02) Patio Bellavista Avenida Bellavista 73, Providencia Telephone: (02) index.html Pomaire Ruta 78 Autopista del Sol, km Pueblito Los Domínicos Avenida Apoquindo 9085 Telephone: (02)

23 HANDICRAFT SHOPS AND FAIRS You can buy typical Chilean handicrafts at the crafts fairs.

24 VIÑA DEL MAR Viña del Mar, also known as The Garden City, is in Chile s Valparaíso Region. It has many beaches and is a popular tourist destination, with a population of around 300,000. Viña is a growing and developing city. Valparaíso Region is the second most important in terms of universities and other institutions of higher learning. Its closeness to Santiago, which is a little more than an hour away by car or bus, makes Viña ideal for university students to live in. They see Viña as a modern and relaxed place to live and study.

25 LEISURE ACTIVITIES In Viña del Mar Aside from the many places you can visit in Viña and environs and its beaches, we recommend: Museo la Sebastiana (Pablo Neruda s house) Ferrari Valparaíso Telephone: Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso (Valparaiso Museum of Natural History) Palacio Lyon, Condell 1546 Valparaíso - Telephone: Jardín Botánico Nacional (National Botanical Garden) Camino el Olivar s/n Viña del Mar Telephone: Complejo Turístico Laguna Sausalito Subida Sausalito s/n Viña del Mar Telephone:

26 VALPARAISO The city of Valparaiso, declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is just beside Viña del Mar and considered a major port of Chile and South America. It is also the legislative capital because the Congress is located there. You can go on walks and visit several cultural and historical sites. For more information, visit:

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28 HEALTH There is no malaria or cholera in Chile, so no special vaccination is required. However, we recommend you protect yourself from typhoid fever, polio, hepatitis and tetanus. If you will be in Chile for an extended stay, it will be a good idea to get vaccinated for Hepatitis B. If you plan to travel through rural areas, it could be advisable to be vaccinated against rabies. Be careful with tap water. Though it is potable, it may give you a stomach upset for the first few days. There is excellent medical care in Santiago, Viña and Concepción, and private clinics are world class. All private clinics accept credit cards as a guarantee. However, it is harder to get medical care from rural hospitals and emergency clinics. The three cities mentioned have an excellent network of pharmacies where you can find any medication you may need. Should you need antibiotic treatment, you will need to present a doctor s prescription.

29 SANTIAGO Clínica Alemana Avenida Vitacura 595 Municipality of Vitacura Telephone: (02) Clínica Indisa Avenida Santa María 1810 Municipality of Providencia Telephone: (02) Clínica Santa María Avenida Santa María 0500 Municipality of Providencia Telephone: (02) VIÑA DEL MAR Clínica Reñaca Anabaena 336 Reñaca, Viña del Mar Telephone: (32) Hospital Clínico Viña del Mar Calle Limache 1741 Viña del Mar Telephone: (32) Clínica Ciudad del Mar 13 Norte 635 Viña del Mar Telephone: (32) Clínica Dávila Avenida Recoleta 464 Municipality of Recoleta Telephone: (02)

30 CUSTOMS Chileans are accustomed to having three or four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, with lunch and dinner as the main meals. Chileans like courtesy and are somewhat formal, although as a foreigner you will enjoy a certain degree of freedom from the usual rules of behavior. You must get used to greeting and being greeted. Men shake hands while women give other women and men a light kiss on the right cheek (just one), even if they have just met. Sometimes a handshake can be added to the ritual, the first time one is introduced. Goodbyes are done in the same way.

31 People greet each other with a Buenos días until midday, Buenas tardes from noon until around 8:00pm, and Buenas noches from 8:00pm on. To say goodbye, say Hasta luego or Adiós. To refuse an offer, No, gracias ; while a simple Gracias is understood as meaning Yes ( Sí, gracias ). Being up to 15 minutes late to a meeting is acceptable. However, buses and planes depart pretty much on time. In most offices formal wear (a coat and tie) is the required dress. Among colleagues and friends one moves on quickly from the formal usted to the informal tú, except in very formal situations. Young people (up to age 35) especially are addressed as tú. However, with much older people or VIPs, we recommend addressing them as usted, even if they address you in the informal tú.

32 CUSTOMS The speed with which Chileans talk may cause you some problems, or the slang they use, which isn t usually found in dictionaries.

33 HERE ARE SOME TYPICAL CHILEAN EXPRESSIONS: A PATA: To go somewhere on foot. AL TIRO: Right away, immediately. APESTADO: Angry, disgusted. ARRUGAR: Back out, change one s mind, desist. BACÁN: Amazing, fantastic. CACHAI: Understand, catch on. PIOLA: Someone who s laid back, has a good vibe. POLOLA POLOLO: A steady boyfriend or girlfriend. FOME: Boring

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35 TIPS

36 TIPS MONEY CHANGERS If you need to buy Chilean or foreign currency, here are some addresses of money changers: Santiago Afex Cambio Centro Comercial Apumanque Av. Apoquindo 6089 Local 3, Las Condes Telephone: Cambios Ventura Apumanque Shopping Mall Av. Apoquindo 6089 Local 368, Las Condes Telephone: Cambios Santiago Av. 11 de Septiembre 2327 Local 15, Providencia Telephone: Intermundi Ltda. Moneda 896 Santiago Centro Telephone: VarexLtda Libertador Bernardo O Higgins 527 Telephone: Concepción Afex Cambio Barros Arana 565 Planta Baja Local 57 Telephone: Fides Ltda. Caupolicán 521 Piso 1 Local 58 Telephone: Inter S.A. Caupolicán 521 OF 31 Telephone:

37 BANKS Banking hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. SHOPS Normal business hours of shops in Santiago are: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM without closing for lunch. Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Large shopping centers (malls) and supermarket chains are open from: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. In the provinces, small stores open in the morning, close at midday and reopen around 3:00PM. Malls normally open at 11:00AM and stay open the whole day until 9:00PM. TIPPING In restaurants, a tip of around 10% is expected in addition to the bill. It s the custom to receive all your change first, and then to leave the tip on the table. In many places, such as service stations or parking lots, attendants expect a tip of CH$100 or CH$200, while taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

38 MISCELLANEOUS TIPS Communications You ll find Call Centers or Internet Centers (Centros de Llamados, Centros Internet), where you can make long distance calls. You can also buy phone cards from many shops for Ch$1.000, Ch$3.000, Ch$5.000 or Ch$10.000, that you can use to call from any phone. Your calls are automatically discounted from your phone card. How to Make Calls from a Cell Phone or Mobile: From a land line or cell phone: Start by dialing 09, then the telephone number. From cell phone to cell phone: Just dial the cell phone number. From a cell phone to a landline: Start by dialing the city code (02 for Santiago). Public telephones charge Ch$200 (US$00.35) per minute to call a landline and Ch$300 pesos per minute to call a cell phone. To make local calls, simply dial the number without any prefix. Long Distance within Chile: Prices for long distance calls to other parts of Chile are getting to be as cheap as local calls. To call Santiago from another city, dial: The long distance carrier code telephone number. For example: If the carrier is Entel: To make International Calls: Dial: Carrier Country Code + City Code + Telephone Number. For example, to call Washington, D.C.: Via the carrier Telefónica: Telephone Number

39 COMMUNICATIONS The country code for Chile is 56. The city code for Santiago is 02. The city code for Viña is 32. TELECOMS COMPANY (OR CARRIER) CODES 110 Telmex 121 Telefónica del Sur 123 Entel 181 Movistar 188 Mundo

40 MISCELLANEOUS TIPS Communications About Cell Phones or Mobiles: Cell phone plans and coverages of different telecoms are limited to the urban centers. Non-resident foreigners may only purchase cell phones that use pre-paid phone cards. These are more expensive and can t be used for making international calls, though they can receive them. About Postal Services: Chile has excellent postal services. Postage fees are as follows: Ch$310 to mail a domestic letter. Ch$400 to mail a letter to the U.S. Ch$470 to mail a letter to any other country. Central Office of Correos de Chile (Chilean Postal Service Main Office) Plaza de Armas (Center of Santiago) Business Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Correos de Chile also has campus offices in other municipalities of Santiago. International mail is usually sent by air and takes from 5 to10 days to reach Central Europe or North America. You can speed up the arrival of your correspondence by paying an additional fee for express service. Registered Mail: You can also send out important mail via Registered Letter service.

41 Emergency Telephones 131 Ambulance 132 Fire Fighters 133 Police Emergency (Carabineros) 134 Police of Investigaciones de Chile (Chile Bureau of 103 Information Investigation)

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43 TIPS Transport TAXIS Make sure the meter is running and readily visible. Pay the fare indicated on the meter. The base rate in Santiago is Ch$250 plus Ch$150 for each 200 meters traveled (or for each minute of waiting). This means that each kilometer costs approximately Ch$750. For longer distances, negotiate a fixed fare with the cab driver. When you pay, count your change carefully and make sure you aren t leaving anything behind in the taxi. If you go out at night, try to call a radiotaxi; avoid flagging down a taxi on the street. Radiotaxis charge a bit more but offer safer and newer cabs, and should a problem arise, you can complain to the radiotaxi company. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Transantiago is Santiago s integrated public transport system, which has minibuses, large buses and the subway, or Metro. To be able to use the system you must have what s called a BIP card. The BIP card is a plastic prepaid fare card that looks like a credit card. You can buy one in any Metro station ticket booth for Ch$ You can top up your card as often as needed. For more information or to find out about the different bus routes, visit this link:

44 TIPS Transport The Santiago Metro provides excellent subway services. It s clean, cheap, fast and the safest way to move around the city. Visit: THE SANTIAGO METRO Metro fare: Ch$500-Ch$650 Bus fare: Ch$500-Ch$650 Line 1: Color red, travels west to east. Line 2: Color yellow, runs northwest to southwest. Line 4: Color green, runs northeast to southwest. Line 5: Color green, runs from the center of Santiago to the southeast, and Line 4 from northeast to southwest. The cost of Metro fares differs depending on the time of travel (rush hour, off-peak or low use hours).

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46 TIPS Transport INTERCITY BUSES A variety of bus companies provide services to all cities and regions, as well as for travel to the border countries of Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay. Service is generally good and the buses run on time. BUS TERMINALS Buses leave from the following locations and tickets are purchased on board. Santiago Bus Terminal (For trips to the south of Chile and to border countries) Avenida Libertador Bernardo O Higgins 3850 Tel. (02) Santiago San Borja Bus Terminal (For trips to northern and central Chile) - Santiago San Borja Santiago - Tel. (02) Alameda Terminal (TUR Bus) (To the northern coast: Viña, Valparaíso; south and north) Avenida Libertador Bernardo O Higgins 3850 (Metro Universidad de Santiago) - Tel. (02) Los Héroes Bus Terminal (For trips to border countries, and northern and southern Chile) Tucapel Jiménez 21 - Santiago - Tel. (02)

47 SANTIAGO CITY MAPS Tourist information centers and travel agencies provide simple city maps upon request. You will find a more complete, up-to-date map of Santiago in the Yellow Pages of the Phone Directory. If you re looking for a specific address you can find it easily in the websites Mapcity and Planos. TRAIN SERVICE The State Railway System or EFE provides rail services between Santiago and the south. It goes through several towns and cities such as Rancagua, Talca, Chillán, Concepción. The final stop is the city of Temuco. Passengers can travel first or second class, there are services for every need and the trains are comfortable and fares reasonably priced. However they are not very punctual, which means travel times can be longer than expected. There is also train service in northern Chile from Arica to La Paz, Bolivia. Estación Central de Ferrocarriles (Chile Railways Central Station) - Address: Avenida Libertador Bernardo O Higgins Tel

48 ACCOMMODATIONS Do check out our list of recommended university residences (Residencias Universitarias) in Santiago, where monthly rates range from Ch$ to Ch$ Hogar Kolping Internacional (Isabel La Católica 5900, Las Condes) -Residencias Las Orquídeas y Holanda (Orquídeas 892 and Holanda 518, Providencia)

49 It s extremely important to find a safe and pleasant place to stay during your exchange study program, that will be well matched with your expectations and budget. -Apart Hotel Universitario (José Manuel Infante 1912, Providencia) -Residencia Pedro de Valdivia (Avenida Pedro de Valdivia Norte 517, Providencia) Residencial Los Pinos (Obispo Orrego 52, Ñuñoa)

50 ACCOMMODATIONS Below are alternative accommodations to university residences: Shared Apartments According to your preferences and budget, you may decide to rent your own apartment or to share a rental with a roommate. Renting will make it easier for you to socialize with Chileans and other foreigners. In general it s a more affordable option and more flexible should you decide to move elsewhere. The cost depends on the location, size and quality of the venue. Rentals vary from US$170 to US$400 a month, all inclusive. In and you can find various alternatives. Renting an Apartment Renting your own apartment will give you more privacy, comfort and independence. Foreign students who wish to rent an apartment should make sure it s furnished. Aside from paying for rent, students must cover the following costs: Utilities (light, water, gas, phone) Common apartment building expenses One month s deposit (equivalent to one month s rent) Realtor fees, if any. Rent is paid directly to the landlord at the beginning of the month. For rentals of less than a month, a per-day rental rate will apply. For incomplete months towards the end of your stay, the rent will be prorated by the month.

51 Charges for common expenses cover the building s costs (repairs and maintenance, security, elevators, lighting, concierge, green areas, pool, etc.) and are compulsory for all building renters. In some cases they include water consumption (cold and/or heated) and central heating. Therefore they may vary from month to month. The amounts indicated below are averages. Consumption costs correspond to usage of water, gas, electricity, telephone (if included), TV cable (if included), Internet (if included). The landlord takes charge of paying the bills and charges the renter for them together with collecting the rent. To rent a furnished apartment, a deposit is required, normally equivalent to one month s rent, which will be refundable at the end of the rental period after subtracting any damages to or losses in the property. The total cost of an apartment rental for a one or two bedroom in a neighborhood such as Providencia, Las Condes or Vitacura ranges from Ch$ to Ch$ /month (US$600- US$1,000/mo.).

52 COST OF LIVING

53 Chile is comparatively more expensive than other Latin American countries. However, food staples, services, public transport and basic restaurants are considerably cheaper than in the industrialized countries. Fruits and vegetables are much more reasonably priced if bought in open markets instead of at a supermarket. Shopping in the Vega Central or Central Market is a pleasant experience. You should keep in mind that imported products are more expensive in Chile than in their countries of origin. The dollar and the euro constantly change in value relative to the Chilean peso. However, the following are referential exchange rates: 1 USD = 500 CLP 1 Euro = 700 CLP AVERAGE SUPERMARKET PRICES: IN CHILEAN PESOS 1 liter milk g butter g pasta kg apples kg avocados kg tomatoes head lettuce kg bread kg cheese kg meat bottle wine kg rice kg sugar 500 Mineral water 400 Coca Cola 600 Coffee (Expreso) Beer 700

54 COST OF LIVING WORKING IN CHILE Student visa holders cannot work in Chile. If you obtain a work contract (or the promise of one) from a company or Chilean institution, you may file a request for a work visa, whether at a Chilean Consulate abroad or, once in Chile, at the Departamento de Extranjería (Department of Immigration). Departamento de Extranjería: San Antonio 580 2nd Floor Tel. (02) Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. International Police Morande 672 Tel. (02)

55 OTHER AVERAGE PRICES: IN CHILEAN PESOS 1 hour Internet Cafe 500 Movie Ticket Newspaper 500 A pack of 20 cigarettes 2.000

56 DUOC UC Student Affairs

57 WHO WE ARE The Office of Student Affairs of Duoc UC was created in 2005 to assist and promote student life. Its mission is to contribute to the integral formation of our students and graduates through policies and actions that facilitate their academic progress, their entry and insertion in the job market, so as to further the evangelical mission of the Church and the country s development. Who is in charge of Student Affairs? At each campus there is a Director of Student Affairs who works with a team of four Coordinators: Sports, Pastoral, Financial Assistance, and Alumni and Job Insertion, and several student assistants. They are at your disposal to guide and support all of your ideas and concerns. Through the Office of Student Affairs and with the participation of students from the different departments, numerous events are organized such as Initiation Week, parties, cultural and sports activities, competitions, etc.

58 DUOC UC Student Affairs CAMPUS MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT The Duoc UC Pastoral Ministry assists in the formation of students in their faith and the organization of solidary action within the University. MEDICAL INSURANCE It is a requirement for foreign students to be covered by a medical insurance policy with international health coverage for the time they will be living and studying in Chile. A photocopy of their insurance plan must be submitted to Duoc UC upon arrival.

59 SPANISH LANGUAGE Newly arrived exchange students will receive orientation on Duoc UC and may opt to attend a Spanish course to improve their language fluency. The course is free of charge for exchange students. DUOC UC I.D. CARD Each student will receive a Duoc UC I.D. Card which will give them access to various student services. The card will allow them to make use of the Libraries in the different campuses as well as laboratories and computer rooms. You will also receive an address and Internet access code. WI-FI All Duoc UC campuses have wireless coverage (Wi- Fi) for Internet access. The service is free of charge.

60 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS The Office of International Affairs is in charge of the entire process of registration and verification of academic and administrative matters in the different Schools. It is also in charge of providing assistance and personal counseling to each of the students.

61 CONTACT AND INFORMATION Director of International Relations Mr. Carlos Hinrichsen Coordinator of International Relations Ms. María José Costa Overseas Exchange Coordinator Ms. Gabriela Muñoz Coordinator of International Services and Agreements Ms. Patricia Ratinoff Avenida Eliodoro Yáñez 1595, 13th Flr. Providencia, Santiago - Chile Tel , Fax , internacional@duoc.cl