Details

• Chile
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The most important step is to research the universities you are considering applying to. During the interview, you will be asked about your motivation, and it is expected that the candidate knows basic facts about the country, the university, and the reasons why they want to study there. It is also very important to talk to people who have already completed an exchange semester, as they can share valuable insider tips. Another option is to become a buddy through EBN or ÖH WU. This helps you connect with students from different countries and gain deeper insight into the overall exchange experience.

2. Accommodation

My process was very easy because in Viña del Mar there are apartment towers called Las Torres, where almost every exchange student lives. We contacted people who had done an exchange there before, and they gave us the contacts of landlords. They do this regularly, so the process is quite easy and trustworthy. There is also a WhatsApp group run by buddies in Chile where you can find people to live with. However, for Viña del Mar, the best option is definitely Las Torres. Make sure to ask landlords about all costs. Often they only mention the rent price, but in the end there are additional expenses such as costos comunes, utilities, etc.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is located a bit outside the city, but it is only about 10 minutes by Uber (2-4€) from Las Torres. There are also free university buses available. They operate on different routes, and the closest bus stop is very close to Las Torres as well (around a 5-minute walk). Make sure to check the schedule, as it can vary from day to day, it is available on the university website (Bus UAI). On campus, there is a mensa, a café, and a place where you can buy burgers, sandwiches, fruit, etc. The food is not very “healthy,” but it is really cheap and tastes decent. There is also one vegetarian option, a veggie burger. One menu (main dish, side dish, dessert or fruit, and a drink) costs around €4.70. There are plenty of places to study, including open spaces, the library, and study rooms (which need to be booked in advance, similar to WU). The classrooms are very modern, and the campus itself is quite new, with an amazing ocean view, the library has some of the best sunsets. I really enjoyed the professors, and I felt that they enjoyed teaching as well. It seems like they genuinely like being there and are very motivated. You can ask them almost anything, and they are happy to have conversations with students. Overall, exams are easier to pass, and a large part of the grade is based on participation. Life hack: work consistently during the semester so you don’t need to prepare much for the final exam. If you want to travel and cannot attend a class, just talk to the professor in advance. Most of them are very relaxed about it and understand why exchange students are there, to explore the culture. However, in some courses (for example, Marketing), missed classes are marked as zero points for participation, so it really varies from course to course.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is part of the cultural experience, especially the micros. They are cheap but very local, so be aware of your belongings and the very fast driving. I used them a lot though, they are very convenient for getting to nearby cities such as Valparaíso, Concón, etc. We also used Uber a lot. It is much cheaper than in Austria and generally quite safe. Still, I would avoid riding alone late at night. Security is a big topic. I would say that Chile is much safer compared to other Latin American countries, especially Viña del Mar. However, phone theft is quite common, so avoid using your phone in public places or on the street and always keep it in a closed pocket or bag. Locals will often warn you about this as well. There is no reason to be scared, just pass auf. It’s a new and very useful skill. Also, make sure to check the regions you want to travel to. Reddit can be helpful, or simply ask professors, buddies, or friends who have already been there, this is usually the most efficient way to get reliable information. Buddies are gold! They do an amazing job supporting exchange students and helping with integration. I met friends for life through the buddy program. If anything happens, go to them, they can and will help with literally everything. One of the best things about UAI is its sports opportunities. There is a gym that you can use for free (you just need to register if you want to go before 14:00). There are also plenty of sports classes. Registration usually opened the day before at 21:30 (the time may change, but the system is very similar to LPIS). Remember that you need to register separately for each class. I took Body Attack (cardio), GAP, RPM30, climbing, and Cross Training, and I can recommend all of them.

6. Testimonial

I always say that my exchange was “THE exchange experience”: parties, travel, studying, campus life, and a strong exchange community, all combined. Chile is an amazing country with incredible places such as the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, Chiloé, Easter Island, and many more. If you are already there, make the most of the opportunity to travel around the country, explore its unique culture, and ask locals for their recommendations. Spanish in Chile is quite challenging for beginners. I personally needed about one month just to start understanding drivers and everyday conversations. I would say that the university Spanish course is more suitable for beginners, but if you really want to improve your Spanish, taking local classes is a better option. Chilean people are very welcoming and open. At the beginning, you might feel a bit as a stranger, but they open up quickly, just talk to them. Travel recommendations include Peru (where you can also visit the Amazon rainforest), Bolivia, Argentina (Buenos Aires is a must, and Mendoza is perfect for a short trip), and of course Brazil. Distances are quite large, and tickets are not always cheap. You should plan roughly €1,000 for a 1.5–2 week backpacking trip. Always check vaccination recommendations in advance. Some countries will not allow entry without certain vaccines, yellow fever caused problems for several people. You can get vaccinated locally, but it is more expensive. All in all, what made this exchange truly special for me were the people. Our group was very international, and during the winter semester there are even more exchange students. The buddy group is also amazing, you can count on them for almost every activity, and I strongly recommend joining as many events as possible, as it really helps with socialization. Viña del Mar is an incredible place, the ocean is literally across the street. The exchange experience there is all about spending time together, traveling, and being active. You can ski, surf, run, play tennis, and much more. I would definitely recommend this destination!