Details

• Chile
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

For future outgoing students at WU, I would recommend reading several experience reports from previous exchange students, as this helps to get different perspectives and more realistic expectations. In addition, it is very important to carefully read the website of the host university, as it contains useful information about courses, academic requirements, and everyday student life. For the application process itself, it is helpful to know some basic facts about the host country and to reflect honestly on your personal motivation for going abroad. Having clear reasons why the exchange semester is important for your personal and academic development can make the whole process easier and more meaningful. Before leaving, students should also inform themselves about local rules and cultural differences in order to avoid unintentional disrespectful behavior and to adapt more easily to the new environment.

2. Accommodation

My accommodation search was relatively easy because I met with a student who had been at the same exchange university the year before. Since she was very satisfied with her experience, I decided to choose the same house. I lived in a private house organized by an organization called Santiagoexchange. There were nine students living together, and while the bathrooms were shared, everyone had their own private room, which was very comfortable. The house was located in Las Condes, a district in Santiago that is known to be very safe, with many security cameras and regular security patrols. The university was only about 15 minutes away by bus and around 40 minutes on foot. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is that there was a free outdoor gym right across the street, which was a great bonus. For me, the location was perfect, especially because the metro station Los Domínicos was very close. However, students who want to be more involved in nightlife might prefer living closer to the city center, even though those areas can be slightly less safe.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at Universidad de los Andes is quite different from WU Vienna in several aspects. The university places a strong emphasis on its values and on creating a positive and respectful campus community. In some courses, students are even involved in deciding how the class is structured, which makes the learning experience more engaging. Compared to WU, classes are much smaller, usually around 30 students and sometimes even only 15, which makes the teaching style more personal and interactive. The campus itself is very beautiful and offers large sports facilities, some of which are free while others require a small fee. There are also many options for food, including cafés, restaurants, and cafeterias. Teaching methods often include a mix of independent assignments, listening to lectures, in-class quizzes, and case studies, which keeps the courses varied and dynamic.

5. Every day life in the host country

I was very lucky with my roommates, which made everyday life much more enjoyable and created a comfortable and welcoming home environment. Public transport in Santiago works with a rechargeable card that can be used on all public transportation and in many public facilities across the city. In the areas where exchange students usually spend most of their time, the safety situation is generally good. However, it is important to always pay attention to your belongings, as theft is quite common. As long as you stay aware, it is not a major problem. The city offers a wide range of social and leisure activities, such as salsa classes on the streets for as little as two euros, as well as many free museums and beautiful celebrations in public parks. Chile’s National Day on September 18th is especially important and is celebrated more than Christmas, and students also get time off from university. In terms of sports, there are many options both on and off campus. I can highly recommend the app ClassPass, as it offers a large variety of affordable sports classes without the need for a long-term membership, which is perfect for a short exchange stay.

6. Testimonial

My exchange was an experience I would never want to miss in my life. What made it especially meaningful for me was seeing how different cultures function and realizing how much more enjoyable everyday life can be when people approach each other with openness and friendliness.