Field of study in Wageningen: BSc Economics and Governance
Study period exchange: 04/03/2024 – 06/09/2024
Country (exchange): Chile
City (exchange): Santiago de Chile
University (exchange): Universidad de Chile
Faculty (exchange): FEN (Faculty of Economics and Business)
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
I wanted to explore a new city, culture and language for a longer period (longer than when traveling).
What is the reason you chose for this country?
I wanted to improve my Spanish during my exchange. Since I had already lived in Spain in my gap year I wanted to explore South America. Chile was for me the most attractive country to go in South America because of safety mostly compared to the other option (Colombia).
What is the reason you chose for this university?
There was no choice between Universities in Chile.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
From the Airport you can take a shared van through Transvip. You book it in advance for a specific time and they pick you up at the airport and bring you to your destination like a taxi, but just also with other people. You only pay €10, way cheaper than an Uber on your own.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
I had sufficient possibilities to select suitable courses that were taught in English: Yes, only at the economics faculty they had courses in English, so for me there was enough choice. And I also wanted to take courses in Spanish, which were more interesting most of the time.
I had sufficient possibilities to select suitable courses in my field of interest: Yes, the courses I took were fun, but very different from the courses at the WUR.
I am satisfied with the level of the courses that I followed: Yes, the courses where less easy than I thought they would be based upon the stories I heard about exchange.
I am satisfied, in the end, with the selection of courses I followed: Yes, the courses where interesting and the right level.
What is it like to study there?
It felt a bit more like high school. Because the classes where small (about 30 people) and the 70% compulsory attendance. But that way it felt more personal, the teachers really want to get to know you and the classmates are kind and interested. Because you follow 5 courses at once the contact hours per week are quite much but when you get home there is not much more workload. The exams were on paper, and most of the time not too hard.
What is the culture of the university?
Like I said above, more personal and a high-school feeling.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
There are free sport facilities which were very nice. I did Zumba classes multiple times which I loved. There are also sport teams you can join or other sport classes, also a gym. There are a few catering facilities at the FEN.
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
I rented a room through Chilean Way Houses, the rent out rooms for exchange student. It was great and options for living close to the campus.
What is the culture like?
Very warm and open culture, everyone is very nice to strangers. They love dancing and music and like to do things on the street or in parcs. The Spanish is quite different than normal Spanish, they have a lot of slang and a different accent so that takes some time to get used to.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
They have a very good working metro network (but very busy always) and busses going through the city. Also some bike lanes, but not like in the Netherlands. Busses also go through the country to travel to the South or North.
6. Expenses
Can you give an indication of your expenses for/during your exchange?
The price levels were in general [higher; lower; equal] in comparison to in the Netherlands:
Some things are more expensive (the western products like cheese) but local products can be very cheap.
7. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
Valparaíso, Pucón, Pichilemu, Cajón del Maipu, Buenos Aires, Chiloé, skiing for a day in El Colorado. All reachable by bus. Buenos Aires should be in summer otherwise the borders are closed due to snow, and it’s a long travel of 22 hours. Chiloé also in summer, otherwise it is too cold.
What does not appear in a travel guide, but is definitely worth seeing/doing?
Salsa and Bachata classes at Santiago Baila Salsa, on a square in front of cultural centre GAM. Also for very beginners and internationals!
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
Getting to understand the Chilean Spanish, by practicing a lot and it just happens over time.
What is your best memory of your time abroad?
I went skiing one day. With the bus it is only an hour driving, so from the slope we saw the city. It was so cool to go from the warm and sunny city within an hour to a complete different world.
8. Contact Details
Would you like to ask Anne more questions about her exchange?
Send her a mail: anne.degeer@wur.nl