Santiago, Chile
Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI), an institution with over half a century of tradition, has been systematic in pursuing its mission: to educate young adults in the sciences so that they may contribute productively to society. To this end, it has taken a leading role in the innovation of university education.
Must be fluent in Spanish.
The School
UAI is a private university that has existed since 1953. It started only as a business school and has slowly expanded over the years to add more undergraduate areas of study such as Psychology, Law, and Government. The school is known for its focus on Entrepreneurship and practical business and has a small and close-knit student body.
The City
Santiago is the capital of Chile and the greater Santiago area is home to almost 1/3 of the country’s population. It is a sprawling and modern city (reminiscent of Phoenix, Arizona) near the Andes Mountains and is less than one hour from the South Pacific coast. There are both skiing and surfing nearby and the weather is dry and moderate. Chile is a stable and safe country with one of the strongest economies in Latin America. The people are very friendly and the city has many upscale restaurants and shopping malls as well as a great deal of nice, modern housing. It is a very affordable city regarding meals, housing and transportation. Internships are also relatively easy to secure here.
Services for Exchange Students
WU has long focused on international relations and services for the incoming international students. The International Office (IO) is a centralized university office service to assist both incoming and outgoing students and faculty members with all of their international needs. WU also offers to exchange students several programs and services in order for them to have a smooth start at WU and to culturally and socially immerse with the life in Vienna and in Austria. WU’s immersion programs for exchange students include the orientation and cultural program, intensive German courses (voluntary), tandem language learning programs, and options to engage and get to know the WU degree seeking students.
Term Dates
- First trimester: March to June
- Second trimester: June to September
- Third trimester: September to December
Courses Available
Courses taught only in Spanish. Much of the reading material is in English, but students must be fluent in Spanish so they can understand the lectures and participate in group work. You take Marketing or Finance courses in Santiago from the part-time M.S. programs. Much group work is required in courses. You can choose only one of UAI’s three master programs: Master in Marketing, Master in Finance and Master in Economics & Public Affairs. Students cannot take courses from different programs at the same time.
Languages
Must speak Spanish.
Language of operation for the university is Spanish. People in Chile generally speak a small amount of English; the educated middle and upper classes and people who work within tourism may speak much English. All of the UAI students and administrators speak basic English and most are actually quite advanced.
Grade Conversion
| UAI grade assigned | Description | UF Assignment | Grad Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 3.9 | Insuficiente | D & E | U |
| 4 - 4.9 | Suficiente | C | S |
| 5 - 5.9 | Bueno | B | S |
| 6 | Muy Bueno | A | S |
| 7 (very rarely awarded) | Sobresaliente | A | S |
Grading scale: from 1 to 7
Credit Conversion
Courses taken from the Master’s programs (Finance or Marketing) in Santiago and are all worth 3 UF credits each.
Minimum Credit Requirements
Minimum 2 courses (equivalent to 6 UF credits) per term.
Estimated Costs
$400 per month (housing). Food expenses vary (~$400 per month). Food, travel, and incidentals are generally very cheap here and the dollar goes a long way.
Accommodation
There is a lot of accommodation available in Santiago; the exchange coordinator can help you to arrange housing, either alone or with other students. You can expect to live in a very nice apartment in a good neighborhood for less than $450 per month (single unit).
Travel Opportunities
Flanked by the main chain of the Andes on the east and the Chilean Coastal Range on the west, there are an array of outdoor activities in a day’s travel from Santiago. The Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport is Santiago’s national and international airport within easy distance from the city. Bus companies provide passenger transportation from Santiago to most areas of the country and to neighboring Argentina.