Chile
Chile
is a long strip of land along the Pacific Ocean that stretches for some
3.200 miles in the north-south direction. The Andean Mountain Range
runs all along the country. The climate varies from region to region,
from a dry desert climate in the North of Chile to Antarctic temperatures
in the South. Seasons in Chile are the reverse from those in the Northern
hemisphere. It is summer in Chile when it is winter in the United States.
Santiago
Santiago
is located 33 degrees South (same latitude as Los Angeles-CA in the
US) and 543 meters (1.800 feet ) above sea level. It has a Mediterranean
climate and tends to be sunny most of the year. Temperatures range from
minimum 0ºC (32º F) in winter to temperatures that might soar
to 33ºC (91ºF). But even on the warmest days, evenings are
quite cool. In general, buildings in Santiago do not have central heating,
nor do they have air conditioning. The rainy season is from April to
September, with the annual average rainfall of 348 mm (13.7 inches).
It is one of the few cities in the world where in the late winter, early
spring you can go skiing on Saturday (one hour bus or car ride) and
go to the beach on Sunday (hour and a half bus ride). The water of the
Pacific Ocean at this latitude is quite cold. There are numerous places
for all kinds of outdoor activities quite close to Santiago.
Chile
has the total population of about fifteen million, of which 5 million
live in Santiago, the capital city. Consequently, there is a significant
cultural life in the capital. There are numerous museums, an opera house,
concert halls, theatres and other facilities. Santiago also boasts many
restaurants, pubs and a vibrant night life in general.
Transport
within Santiago
Santiago
is located 33 degrees South (same latitude as Los Angeles-CA in the
US) and 543 meters (1.800 feet ) above sea level. It has a Mediterranean
climate and tends to be sunny most of the year. Temperatures range from
minimum 0ºC (32º F) in winter to temperatures that might soar
to 33ºC (91ºF). But even on the warmest days, evenings are
quite cool. In general, buildings in Santiago do not have central heating,
nor do they have air conditioning. The rainy season is from April to
September, with the annual average rainfall of 348 mm (13.7 inches).
It is one of the few cities in the world where in the late winter, early
spring you can go skiing on Saturday (one hour bus or car ride) and
go to the beach on Sunday (hour and a half bus ride). The water of the
Pacific Ocean at this latitude is quite cold. There are numerous places
for all kinds of outdoor activities quite close to Santiago.
Chile
has the total population of about fifteen million, of which 5 million
live in Santiago, the capital city. Consequently, there is a significant
cultural life in the capital. There are numerous museums, an opera house,
concert halls, theatres and other facilities. Santiago also boasts many
restaurants, pubs and a vibrant night life in general.
Money
You
can bring traveler's checks or hard currency, yet the most practical
way to handle money is by the use of a bank ATM card. There are numerous
automatic tellers in Santiago and throughout the country. You will have
to make arrangements with your bank to make sure that the automatic
tellers in Chile will give you cash advances that you will need . The
cards should be for international use. Visa and MasterCard are the most
accepted credit cards in Chile. You should arrange to have your bills
paid by someone at home.
In
general you will find that, by US standards, life is less expensive
in Chile than at home, especially for transportation and food. However,
skiing can cost as much in Chile as it does in the US. Keep in mind
that you have to plan your budget wisely, should you have the intention
to travel on weekends.
Communications
Chile
has a multi-carrier telecommunications system. If you live with a host
family, you will not be allowed to place direct calls to the US. The
best way to make such calls is to use phone cards that you can purchase
in Santiago. Phone calls to the US are relatively inexpensive in Chile,
but it is still much cheaper to call Santiago from the US. Many students
call home and have their parents call them back. The country code for
Chile is (56), and the city code for Santiago is (2).
Health
When
people travel to other countries, their immune system is ordinarily
affected by the change in environment. In order to prevent any illnesses,
it is recommended that you start taking at least vitamin C, and possibly
a multi-vitamin supplement, before you travel and that you continue
taking it for all the time you stay in Chile. We also suggest that you
get typhoid, hepatitis A and tetanus shots, just to be on the safe side.
For
the first few days after your arrival, be careful with drinking tap
water. Santiago has an excellent water system and water is safe, yet
its high mineral content can affect foreigners not used to it. Drink
bottled water at the start and experiment little by little to see how
tap water affects you. Bring a one semester supply of any medicine that
you might be taking as well as the prescription. To obtain the same
medicine here in Chile, you will need a prescription from a local doctor.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring an extra pair as well as
the prescription. If you have allergies, bring your antihistamines with
you, for there is a lot of pollen in Santiago, specially in October.
You might consider bringing band aids, antibiotic cream, anti diarrhea
pills, medicine for stomach aches, ibuprofen, decongestants and cough
medicine.
It
is recommended that you arrange to have a physical check-up, eye examination
and any necessary dental work completed before you arrive in Santiago.
All
participants are enrolled in the Trinity College health insurance. (information
about benefits can be found at /healthcenter
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/student-services/healthcenter.htm.
Cultural
Mores
In
Chile, when meeting someone for the first time or greeting someone you
already know, it is customary for two women or a woman and a man to
kiss on the right cheek, sometimes shaking hands simultaneously. Those
older than you should ordinarily be addressed by their last name, preceded
by Senor or Senora; a highly respected older person whom you already
know may be called by her or his first name preceded by Don or Doña.
It may take you some time to become accustomed to using formal and informal
forms of address, but most Chileans appreciate the difficulty of learning
another language, and will be understanding.
Rules
of promptness are less rigid in Chile than in the United States or some
parts of Europe. In general, the pace of life is slower in Chile than
in most northern-hemisphere countries. Rather than getting frustrated
at what may feel to you like a lack of efficiency, take the opportunity
to relax and get to know people. Chileans often experience Americans,
Asians, and some Europeans as being always in a rush.
Chile
is possibly the only country in the world where no divorce is allowed.
Presently there is some movement in the Chilean Congress to change this
policy. Everybody has two last names: one's father's last name is given
first, followed by one's mother's last name. Legally women do not change
their two last names ever, even when married. They may add the husbands
last name if they want to, but their legal name remains the same as
that they were born with.
Expect to be exhausted for much of your first few weeks here. Culture
shock refers, in part, to the psychological adjustment you must make
to living in an unfamiliar place with different situations and responses
from those to which you are accustomed.
Holidays
|
Año
Nuevo
|
January
1
|
|
Semana
Santa
|
March/April
(variable)
|
|
Día
del Trabajo
|
May
1
|
|
Combate
Naval de Iquique
|
May
21
|
|
Corpus
Christi
|
June
15
|
|
Día
de San Pedro y San Pablo
|
June
29
|
|
Día
de la Asunción de la Virgen
|
August
15
|
|
Fiestas
Patrias
|
September
18
|
|
Día
del Ejército
|
September
19
|
|
Día
de la Raza
|
October
12
|
|
Día
de Todos los Santos
|
November
1
|
|
Día
de la Inmaculada Concepción
|
December
8 0
|
|
Navidad
(often called Pascua)
|
December
25
|
Luggage
Check
airline restrictions regarding allowable number and weight of bags.
Most airlines allow two suitcases and one carry-on bag, but may have
strict weight limitations. You will need your documents to go through
Chilean immigration before collecting your luggage and going through
customs. It may be less expensive to pay for excess baggage than to
ship things.
In
general, students in Chile dress much like university students in the
United States or Europe. Both men and women should bring a couple of
outfits for dressier occasions. Due to the differences of temperatures
between 0º C (32º F) on winter mornings and 33ºC (90ºF
) in November-December at noon time, it is suggested that you bring
convertible clothes that you might mix and match during both seasons.
You might want to bring thermal socks, underwear and pyjamas in addition
to the normal ones. (Keep in mind that in general, there is no central
heating in Chilean houses nor in the University class rooms).
If
you intend to bring a laptop or personal computer, or other expensive
electronic items such as cameras, video cameras, etc., be sure to keep
such items in a safe place. When going through customs, you must indicate
that the equipment is for your personal use, and will return with you
to your country of origin. You may have to sign a document stating this,
in order to avoid an import tax. If you plan to bring a radio, hair
dryer, or other plug-in appliances, you may need to purchase a converter
or transformer. Chile is on 220v electrical current.
Documents
- Passport
- Student´s
visa (if you have your letter of acceptance) or Tourist visa.
- Copy
of your Transcrip
|
