Details

• Chile
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

My main advice for the application process is to keep all deadlines in mind. It helps a lot to create a checklist so you do not forget any important dates. Also, do not stress too much about the interview - it is not meant to be scary. Be honest, show your motivation for going abroad and explain why you are interested in the host university. When preparing your semester abroad, especially if you are going overseas, it is very important to be well organised and to start as early as possible. There are many things to arrange, such as visa, insurance, flight tickets, housing and vaccinations - Also in this case, a checklist will be very helpful. The preparation requires a lot of effort and time and some things cannot be done last minute. For example, vaccinations often need time between the different doses and can also be quite expensive. Planning ahead helps to avoid stress and unexpected problems. I would also strongly recommend getting in contact with former exchange students. In my experience, they gave me the best and most realistic tips, especially about housing, events, courses and daily life at the host university.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was quite easy, mainly because we contacted former exchange students in advance. They gave us very helpful and honest recommendations. If you don't have roommates yet, I strongly recommend looking for people in the WhatsApp group from the university. The link to this group should be sent to you before the semester starts. Many exchange students used it to find roommates and accommodation, which makes the process much easier. We lived in a rentable apartment in the “Torres Coraceros” in Viña del Mar. From my experience, it was the perfect choice. Around 90% of all exchange students lived there, which made it very easy to meet people and plan activities together. In addition it was very affordable (about 250-500€ per month depending on the apartment). The private apartments are located directly at the beach, which was a big advantage. Compared to Valparaíso, the area felt much safer, but it is still important to always be careful with your personal belongings, especially at the beach. Another big plus was the free bus transfer to the university, which took around 15 minutes.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure was really beautiful. The campus was small, similar to a high school and located on a hill, offering a great view over the city and the sea. There was also a nice library, which was a good place to study and prepare for classes. The sports classes offered by the university throughout the whole day were a very good way to stay active. In general, the courses were very easy, especially when compared to the academic standards at WU Vienna. The workload was lower, and the exams and assignments were much less demanding than what we are used to at WU. The teaching style was very chill and informal. Communication with the professors was personal and direct, which created a relaxed learning atmosphere. Teachers were approachable and it was easy to ask questions or talk to them during or after class. Overall, academic life was less stressful than at WU Vienna and allowed more time to enjoy life outside the university.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in the host country was very relaxed, mainly because we also had a lot of free time due to the university schedule. This made it easy to enjoy life outside of classes and explore the area. Public transportation worked well. The local buses, called “micros”, connected the cities in the region and also offered cheap bus connections to the capital, Santiago. In addition, Uber was very cheap, so getting around was easy and convenient in different ways. Although Viña del Mar is and also feels safer than many other parts of Chile, it is still important to be careful at night and always keep an eye on your belongings. There were many social and leisure activities in and around Viña del Mar. The university offered sports classes and we went surfing almost every day in the city next to Viña. We also visited nearby cities and beaches. The buddies team at the university organized many events and trips, which made it easy to meet people and discover new places. One of my favorite activities was sightseeing in Valparaíso. Additionally, there were many nice restaurants and cafes located directly at the beach.

6. Testimonial

Overall, my exchange in Viña was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. What made it truly special were the people and the new friends I met - living so close together made it possible to see each other every day. I also loved the flexibility the study schedule offered, which made traveling easy and spontaneous. Living by the sea added an extra unforgettable touch to the whole experience.