Dear Student, Getting Ready. Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience. Kathleen Lowry

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2 Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience Positive & Enthusiastic: get excited about the experience. If your classmates do not approach you in class, take the initiative to introduce yourself to them. Flexible & open-minded. Culturally competent: be mindful & respectful of the culture of the country that you will be working in as well as others. Remember: Just because things may be different here, doesn t mean they are wrong. Pro-active: take initiative & get involved. Motivated & committed. Enjoy yourself have fun! Dear Student, Getting Ready Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience This is the first step in your journey abroad! We are here to help prepare you for your upcoming adventure. Not only will you be putting your academic studies into practice in an international setting, but you will also have the chance to explore the beauty of the country and experience the Chilean lifestyle! Viña del Mar Contact Information: Kathleen Lowry klowry@uvm.cl Carlos Torres ctorres@uvm.cl You will need a valid passport to enter Chile. If you do not have a passport or if your current passport will expire within 6 months of your travels, you must apply for one. Remember, only original documents can be accepted, so plan ahead if you need to secure an original copy of your birth certificate from your parents or from your place of birth. Upon receipt of your passport, you should sign it immediately. It is not valid unless signed. Fill in the necessary address and emergency information. Photocopy the first page of your passport and keep it separate from the original while travelling overseas. You should have your passport or the photocopy with you at all times while abroad. 1 y 2

3 Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience Visa A student who plans to study during winter or summer programs can arrive in Chile on a Tourist Visa. Students from the USA no longer need a tourist visa to stay in Chile for less than 90 days. Visa requirements vary and students are responsible for researching their home country s requirements for entering Chile. Reciprocity Tax All passengers with passports from Australia, Canada, and Mexico must pay a reciprocity tax immediately upon arrival to the airport. Check with your embassy to see how much the fee is. Once the Entry Reciprocity Fee receipt is attached to your passport, you can then proceed to immigration control. Do not lose the white paper the PDI gives you upon entering the country. You will need to present this paper upon departure from Chile. International Police To enter Chile, all passengers must first check at the International Police control and show their identity documents (identity card or passport) and the stamped visa (depending on the country of origin). After finishing, passengers will continue past Duty Free as well as the retrieve lug- Transportation from the Santiago airport (SCL) to Viña del Mar For your safety, it is recommended that you use the official transportation offered by the UVM International Programs at specific days and times. The UVM Student Coordinator will be at the Santiago de Chile Airport (SCL). Do not leave the airport by yourself and do not accept any offers from taxi services. IMPORTANT: If by any chance, you arrive on a different day or time than the official date established by the UVM, let the UVM coordinator know in advance in order to coordinate a taxi service with a convenient cost for you. gage (equipage) area, to continue Customs Control and SAG. Make sure you do not have any nuts, fruits (dried or fresh), or animal products with you while you pass through Customs. They will confiscate the products (claimed or not) and you may also receive a fine. Check for more information. 3 y 4

4 Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience Health Issues If you normally take medicine, make sure you bring enough for the period of time you are going to be abroad. Water Chile's drinking water is adequately treated and we have not had reports of any students getting sick from the water in Viña del Mar, or in any other part of the country for that matter. But if you have any doubts, stick with bottled mineral water in rural areas. Vaccinations Chile requires no vaccinations for entry from any country, but typhoid and hepatitis immunizations are highly recommended. Polio and tetanus are optional (extremely rare in Chile). Malaria does not exist in Chile, but if you plan to travel to nearby countries or islands, you should check into their situation. If you think you may be travelling to a country that requires proof of inoculations for entry, it may be wise to get immunized before coming to Chile and take that documentation with you. Health Insurance It is essential that you have adequate health insurance coverage while you are abroad. Failure to obtain coverage can result in high medical bills or the refusal to be treated in a hospital or doctor's office. In many countries, foreigners must prove that they have medical insurance before they can be treated. You should check to see if your current medical coverage is valid outside your country. If so, find out how you would file a claim from abroad and how the insurance company would handle the claim. It is common that students that require any medical attention pay directly to the medical center (cash, credit card, or debit card). You must save your receipt in order to be reimbursed by your insurance company. Have your passport or a copy of your passport with you. In Viña del Mar you can find all kinds of health facilities, ranging from public health services known as Hospitals (usually crowded) to upscale private clinics Clinica (highly recommended); the latter with installations similar or even better to what you would find in developed countries. However, such facilities may prove to be very expensive if you are not covered by an international insurance policy. Use clinics not hospitals in case of emergency tell the paramedic right away that you want to go to a Clinica. 5 y 6

5 Safety Homestay vs. Renting What to Pack Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience Viña del Mar and Valparaíso are not particularly dangerous but students are advised to always use caution, especially at night. Always go out with a group and do not take a purse with you at night. Leave all your valuables at your house and do not wear good jewelry. Foreigners are targeted for acts of petty thievery so USE CAU- TION and ALWAYS BE AWARE! There are many stray dogs on the streets. They are generally harmless but avoid feeding or touching them. Emergency Numbers Ambulance (Ambulancia) 131 Firemen (Bomberos) 132 Police (Carabineros) 133 (from cell phones 911) Coast Guard (Guardia Costera) 137 The UVM offers all international students with the possibility to spend their semester living with a Chilean host family. Theses families have years of experience receiving international students into their homes, and we try to match students to families based on the housing questionnaire included in their application. Host families provide students with a private living space, WIFI, laundry, and three meals a day, along with the experience of living the daily Chilean lifestyle. If you would like to rent your own apartment we suggest looking for one in the following neighborhoods: Recreo, Agua Santa, Centro, or El Plan for safety and proximity to the UVM campuses. As mentioned before, it is important to bring any medicine you take with you. Bring enough for your entire trip and a few extras. It is possible that during the September-April months the weather will be nice enough to use shorts/skirts and sandals. However, starting in May the temperature begins to change, and June-August are cold months. While your families will have a space heater, most buildings and restaurants do NOT have central heating and can be colder than outside. The key to staying warm during the winter here is to be prepared and use layers. Bring a jacket/coat appropriate for the cold and rain. Students should bring boots (rain and snow) in case they want to travel to the South or the Andes Mountains where they will encounter snow. Students should also bring a jacket/coat appropriate for the rain as June/July are rainy months here in Viña del Mar. You should have a photocopy of important documents ie: passport, credit card(s), debit card, and ID For those who use contacts, eye care solution here is quite expensive in comparison to other countries The sun in Chile is very strong and close to the hole in the ozone layer. So, make sure you bring a good sunscreen (at least 30 SPF) Women should bring personal hygiene products with them as some items cannot be found throughout Chile or Latin America. 7 y 8

6 Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience Communication Internet is widely used in cities and towns throughout Chile. The International Office at the UVM has a wireless Internet connection that is free for all international students and interns. Cyber cafes can also be found in most towns where students can make international phone calls or use the Internet. Wifi can also be found at several establishments (i.e. Starbucks), but make Transportation in Viña Del Mar and Chile IMPORTANT: In order to drive or rent a car in Chile, foreigners should get an International Drivers License before coming to Chile. Students are not allowed to drive/rent a car unless they have this document. Taxi: A taxi is an easy way to travel but it is also the most expensive. Taxis charge by kilometer and they have a meter that marks the price. If a taxi does not have a meter, beware!!! It is recommended that, if students go to the same place at night and have no other way of returning, they should call a taxi. A safe and reliable taxi company is: sure to ask for their password. Cell phones if you re going to bring your cellphone, make sure it s unlocked. SIM cards are relatively inexpensive, or you can buy an affordable prepaid cellphone package from several providers such as Entel, Movistar, etc. Radio Taxi: (Base charge: $2000 pesos) Micros Local Buses: ( Sample Fares Pase Escolar (Viña Valpo): 150 Pase Escolar (Viña Campus): 150 Local: 250 Viña-Valparaíso: 370 Viña-Reñaca: 450 Colectivo: A colectivo is a taxi that has a fixed route and set fares. Colectivos have a sign on the top of the car that indicates the major streets they pass and the number of the colectivo company. A colectivo can pick up to four people along their route; people get in and out of the colectivo just like a micro. You should let the driver know where you would like to be dropped off when you get in. Metro Valpo Local Train: ( The metro runs between Valparaíso and Limache. Prices vary depending on where you get on and on where you get off. Prices range from 200 pesos to 780 pesos. Hours of operation are: 07:00-22:30 (peak hours 07:30-09:30 & 18:00-19:30) Puerto Sgto. Aldea: every 6 min Puerto - Limache: every 15 min Buses: Viña and Valparaíso have major terminals with buses going to most large towns in Chile. Buses to Santiago leave from both terminals and some companies give discounts to students with the Pase Escolar and ISIC Card, just show your card. Buses to Mendoza, Argentina also leave from both bus terminals. The best bus companies to travel with are the following: Tur-Bus: Pullman Bus: Railroad System: Trains leave from Santiago daily but only go as far South as Temuco. Santiago Train Station: 9 y 10

7 2015 Academic Calendar Money SEMESTER I PROGRAM (FALL IN CHILE : March July) Official Airport Pick UP Orientation Week Beginning of Classes End of Classes (Spanish Center and Semester in English) Official Airport Drop off Study Abroad Programs End of Classes UVM Schools Saturday, Feburary 28th March 2- March 6 March 9 Friday, July 10 Saturday, July 11 Friday, July 17 Tips for a Successful Study Abroad Experience The use of credit cards is extensive in large cities, but it is preferable to carry local currency if you visit small towns or the countryside. Other than banks, few places accept traveler's checks. Students can also obtain money from ATM machines, located throughout the cities (however, each withdrawal is charged a transaction fee both here and back home) and receive money transfers through Western Union. There are many places where students can exchange Euros and US dollars, including shopping malls. Casas de Cambio en Viña del Mar: AFEX Arlegui 690 Phone Number: , CAMEX American Exchange Mall Marina Arauco: Ground Floor Phone Number: INTENSIVE SPANISH PROGRAM (SUMMER IN CHILE: January) INTENSIVE SPANISH PROGRAM (WINTER IN CHILE: July) SEMESTER II PROGRAM (SPRING IN CHILE: August December) INTENSIVE SPANISH PROGRAM (WINTER IN CHILE: June) Official Airport Pick Up Orientation Week Beginning of Classes (Spanish Center and Semester in English) Beginning of Classes UVM Schools End of Classes (Spanish Center and Semester in English) Official Airport Drop off Study Abroad Programs End of Classes UVM Schools Official Airport Pick Up Orientation Day Beginning of Classes End of Classes Official Airport Drop Off Official Airport Pick Up Orientation Day Beginning of Classes End of Classes Official Airport Drop Off Official Airport Pick Up Orientation Day Beginning of Classes End of Classes Official Airport Drop Off Saturday, August 1 August 3, August 7 Monday, August 10 Monday, August 3 Friday, December 11 Saturday, December 12 Friday, December 18 Saturday, January 3 Monday, January 5 Tuesday, January 6 Friday, January 30 Saturday, January 31 Saturday, May 30 Monday, June 1 Tuesday, June 2 Friday, June 26 Saturday, June 27 Saturday, June 27 Monday, June 29 Tuesday, June 30 Friday, July 24 Saturday, July y 12

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