Exchange Students

If you are a current university student and interested in coming to UCSC for an exchange or an internship, you should complete the following steps:

1. Contact your Exchange/Study Abroad Office and inquire about their internal requirements and application process.
2. Your exchange/study abroad coordinator must nominate you as an exchange candidate at UCSC.  (S)He must send an e-mail to mary@ucsc.cl, providing the following information for each nominated student:
   • Full name
   • E-mail address
   • Program of study at home university.
   • Program(s) of study or activity of interest at UCSC.
   • Semester(s) or dates of exchange at UCSC.
3. Nominations are received as follows:
   • First semester (March to July):  From September 15th to October 15th of the previous year.
   • Second semester (August to December): March 1st to April 15th of the same year.
4. The Academic Exchange unit will contact all nominated candidates in order to provide them access to and instructions for our on-line application form.
5. Applications are received as follows:
   • First semester (March to July):  From October 16th to November 15th of the previous year.
   • Second semester (August to December): From April 1st to 30th of the same year.
6. If you are accepted by UCSC you will receive an acceptance letter.  Later, the Academic Exchange Unit will send the International Student Guide and the Housing Guide.
7. Before traveling to Chile, you must send us your travel information and a copy of your health insurance.

Below you will find information on cost of living in Concepcion. The reference values provided are from 2022 and should be used as guidelines only.  Prices are given in Chilean Pesos. 

Reference: $1 USD = $890 CLP

Housing

Food

Activities

UCSC does not have campus housing for domestic or international students. However, we have gathered information on off-campus housing, provided in this document that has been updated for the 2023 academic year by UCSC staff. Nevertheless, we are not responsible for these housing alternatives, their conditions or availability. The rates listed are monthly, and given in Chilean pesos. Information and rates are subject to change; therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to verify prices and regulations for the options of their interest.

Please contact driv@ucsc.cl for more information about housing.

Chile is a beautiful and diverse country located in South America. Its neighboring countries are Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, and bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Chile has a total surface of 756.096 km2 (291,930.4 sqm) including a total of over 2000 islands. Due to its long extension you will enjoy a great variety of landscapes and weather systems.

Our geographic location is key to the variety of climates present in the country, allowing us to have the driest desert in the world in the North and ecological reserves, lakes and woods in the South. But that’s not all, Chile also have warm beaches, snowy mountains and volcanoes, and glaciers and ice fields.

Chile has over 30 astronomic and touristic observatories all along the country, and 5 locations have received the category of World Heritage by UNESCO:

• National Park Rapa Nui in Easter Island
• Churches of Chiloé
• Historic quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso
• Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
• Sewell Mining Town

When talking about our people, there elements that identify us. Empanadas, red wine and cueca are ever present in our traditional celebrations and national holidays in September.

Chile has more than 16 million inhabitants and we are warm and kind to the over three million foreigners who visit us every year. We are the land of distinguished personalities like the Nobel laureates in Poetry Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, and the artist Roberto Matta, among others.
Chile is waiting for you. Visit us and be surprised with these and many other attractions.

The Ñuble Region has it all: Beaches mountains and valleys. It´s also the birthplace of important historical figures such as our founding father, Bernardo O’Higgins, or the great national singer-songwriter Violeta Parra.

Discover its fertile vineyards in the Itata Valley. Explore the towns of Confluencia and Quinchamalí , with their beautiful clay pottery and delicious cherries. Visit Las Trancas Valley year round, and enjoy thermal springs and sports like zip lining, mountain biking skiing and snowboarding.

Chillán welcomes you with its incredible cathedral and exquisite market, which has the best longanizas (sausages) in Chile! San Fabián de Alico can´t be missed, with it’s  huemul (South Andean deer) reserve and incredible La Plata Lake. And don’t forget Cobquecura and Buchupureo beaches.

(Source: Sernatur Región del Ñuble)

The Biobío Region is one of the most important in the country, and gets its name from the long river that crosses the region from east to west. Considered “the door to the South of Chile”, The region offers a variety of touristic sites, and gives us the perfect mix of urban and rural amenities, which includes coast, country and mountains.

With an unbelievable, wonderful diversity, the region contains the best of our natural world in an environment that is full of culture, tradition and history.  Explore and taste its varied gastronomic offerings, strongly influenced by the sea.  Often, small, unassuming restaurants will surprise you with its fusion cuisine.

(Source: Sernatur Región del Biobío) 

Welcome to Concepción

There are nearly 370,000 inhabitants in the city of Concepción. Throughout the academic year, young people from all over the country come to study at the city’s prestigious universities. Concepción is the industrial, cultural and economic capital of Southern Chile.

Concepción is also known for its intense artistic and cultural scenes, as well as easy access to all of the conveniences of a large city in constant development. One of its main attractions is the Barrio Universitario, a symbol for this city that is also known as the university capital of the south. Other areas of interest include Parque Ecuador, which has a vantage point providing some of the best views of the city, and the Parque Jorge Alessandri, where one can go on guided hikes.

The city is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and offers unforgettable tourist and natural attractions for visitors.

(Source: ChileTravel)