Logistics

Logistical Info for ILA
 
1) Visa
U.S. CITIZEN ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens entering Chile must pay a reciprocity fee of US$140. Currently, the fee is only charged at the Santiago International Airport. Payment can be made in U.S. currency or by credit card. U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. If traveling to Chile for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences, U.S. citizens do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival to Chile. All other nationalities may check with their consulate to see if a visa is needed.HERE For those who need a letter, please contact the University of the Andes (
 
2) Hotel
Students will be staying at the Hotel Diego de Velazquez in Providencia. Please see the hotel website here:http://www.hoteldiegodevelazquez.com/
TFAS will pay the hotel costs of all the students starting on Saturday, January 7th to Friday, January 20th (included). So you will need to arrive no later than the 7th and leave no later than the 21st unless you have made your own arrangements for lodging. Students may be responsible for the cost of accommodations for any extended length before or after the Institute dates.
TFAS only covers the cost of your hotel room. Any room service, phone calls, minibar, laundry, etcetera are your responsibility. Also, we ask that any students that smoke do so in outside areas so as to not bother your roommate. Bring a credit or debit card with you, as the hotel may require one to secure your room reservation.
 
 
3) Trip Planning
Please plan your trip to arrive on Saturday, January 7th, to be able to attend the orientation meeting on Sunday, January 8th at 6:00 pm. Please also provide your family or anyone that may need to contact you in case of emergency the number to Hotel Diego de Velazquez (562) 234-4400 and the number to Universidad de los Andes is (562) 412-9000. You will receive the phone numbers in Chile of the Program Assistant, and the Program Director, Jon Perdue, once you arrive in Chile.
VERY IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to reconfirm your flight 48 hours prior to departure. And when you arrive at the hotel, please remember to call or email your parents to let them know that you have arrived safely.
 
 
4) Transportation from the Airport to the Hotel
You are required to pay your own travel to and from the airport to the hotel. When arriving at Santiago Airport, you will have the option to use a public bus, minivan, or a taxi to get to Hotel Diego de Velazquez in the Providencia area of Santiago. The list of transportation services offered at the airport is below. You should find the official transportation area located on the outside of the terminal as you are exiting.
 

5) Commuting
From the hotel to the University: A bus will be waiting for the students at the hotel every morning to take you to class. TFAS will not be responsible for any student arriving late to the bus. University of the Andes is Metro accessible, so the students will be provided with instructions on how to get there if necessary.

6) Meals
TFAS will provide students with breakfast every day at the hotel, and lunch Monday to Friday at the university. Any other meal, including the weekends, will be the responsibility of the students. There are many restaurants, from McDonald’s and Pizza Hut to expensive fine dining, available within a very short distance of the hotel.
 
7) What to Bring
In packing clothes, be prepared for weather that can vary dramatically during the week. The high temperature in Santiago in January averages 28 degrees Celsius. Students will need summer clothing. But it can be cool at night, so you should bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a jacket. Students may dress casually in class, but there will be several formal occasions when students will need to wear professional clothing (coats and ties for men, dresses and suits for women).

Please plan to bring enough money to cover entertainment and transportation costs (to and from the airport and any personal travel), incidental expenses, and whatever souvenir shopping you might want to do. A typical Chilean meal can cost from $8-12 USD.
 

Temperatures in Santiago will be consistently hot during the time that we will be there. Please pack cool, comfortable, casual clothes for most of the days that you will be in Chile. Clothing for classes (excluding the first day and any days with special events) will be casual. Three formal outfits should be sufficient for the program. There are laundry facilities a half block away at Ricardo Lyon.
 
9) Changing Money
Before leaving home, please go to this websitehttp://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet and create a printable currency conversion card to take with you to Santiago. This will give you a guide that you can carry with you while in Santiago to be able to quickly convert Chilean Pesos to the currency of your home country.
You can change money when you arrive at the airport in Santiago, though it is suggested that you don’t exchange a large amount of money at the airport. Banks provide a better exchange rate. Banks open from Monday to Friday 09.00 a.m. to 14.00 pm. Money exchange houses open Monday to Friday 09:00 a.m. to 5:30 pm. Some of them close from 2 to 3 pm.  The current exchange rate = Chilean Pesos (US$1=CHP 600 - APPROXIMATE).
 
10) Internet Access
The hotel has wireless computer access in the whole building. Computer access at University of the Andes will be available. However, students are encouraged to bring their own laptops if possible.
 
11) Mail Delivery
Because of the short duration of the Institute and inconsistency of international mailing, we recommend students receive no mail. However, students expecting mail should check at the reception desk for any mail.
 
12) Insurance/Medical Care
We strongly recommend all students arrange health insurance before their departure for Chile. Check with your health insurer to see what their policy is for international travel; insurance may be limited to emergency room coverage only.
 
13) Safety
The emergency line in Chile is: 131 – AMBULANCE (SAMU), 132 – FIRE DEPARTMENT (BOMBEROS), 133 – POLICE DEPARTMENT (CARABINEROS).
 
 14) Institute Staff
Jon Perdue
Program Director
jperdue@tfas.org