HOUSING
Some international students in Chile live with host families, which is an excellent way to be immersed in Chilean culture. While living with a host family, please be respectful of the rules of their house. Most host families are accustomed to having international students living in their homes and will let you come and go as you wish, but it is respectful to inform the family of when you will miss meals and be away for more than a day. Remember to keep your room clean and tidy. Also, telephone calls are very expensive in Chile. You might have to pay the host family for telephone usage. Nevertheless, make sure your calls are short. It is not common to spend a large amount of time talking on the phone. You might want to consider bringing a gift representing your home country/culture to give to your host family upon arrival.
Some international students in Chile live with host families, which is an excellent way to be immersed in Chilean culture. While living with a host family, please be respectful of the rules of their house. Most host families are accustomed to having international students living in their homes and will let you come and go as you wish, but it is respectful to inform the family of when you will miss meals and be away for more than a day. Remember to keep your room clean and tidy. Also, telephone calls are very expensive in Chile. You might have to pay the host family for telephone usage. Nevertheless, make sure your calls are short. It is not common to spend a large amount of time talking on the phone. You might want to consider bringing a gift representing your home country/culture to give to your host family upon arrival.
LANGUAGE
Spanish in the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as Mapudungun (spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers) and Aymara (spoken in the mountains of the north). Chileans commonly use the formal "you" ( usted ) to address persons, independently of the interlocutor's social status. Also parents-in-law are respectfully addressed with usted and with don or doña before their Christian name. The informal "you" ( tú ) is largely used between people who know each other very well and among youngsters, but it is avoided when one speaks to an elder.
BUSINESS HOURS
Banks: they are open from Monday through Friday 9 am-2 pm.
Private and Goverment Offices: they are generally open 8:30 am-12 noon, and 2pm-6pm.
Stores and Outlets: they are open Mondays to Fridays from 10 am-8 pm. On Saturdays, stores are usually open 9 am-2 pm.
Restaurants: lunch is usually served from 12 pm to 3 pm and dinner is usually served starting at 8 pm. Many restaurants are closed Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings; some are closed all day Sunday.
TIPPING
A 10 percent service charge is usually added to checks in restaurants, and it is customary to tip an additional 10 percent. A tip of 20 percent is customary in bars where service has not been added to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect tips unless special services have been performed. Gas station attendants, movie theater ushers, and other service attendants will expect a 10 to 20 peso tip.
ELECTRICITY
The electric current in Chile is 220v, 50 cycles. If you bring appliances such as hairdryers, be sure that they can be adapted. Outlets in Chile generally accept 1 type of plug: Two round pins If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
A 10 percent service charge is usually added to checks in restaurants, and it is customary to tip an additional 10 percent. A tip of 20 percent is customary in bars where service has not been added to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect tips unless special services have been performed. Gas station attendants, movie theater ushers, and other service attendants will expect a 10 to 20 peso tip.
ELECTRICITY
The electric current in Chile is 220v, 50 cycles. If you bring appliances such as hairdryers, be sure that they can be adapted. Outlets in Chile generally accept 1 type of plug: Two round pins If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAVEL
The public transportation system in Chile is extensive. There are buses, cabs, and shared taxis (called colectivos). Some of them run 24-hours a day, although at night the frequency is lower. Trains are not a useful mode of transportation in Chile.
Transportation Note
The primary cause of death and serious injury to travelers under the age of thirty-five is road traffic accidents. While hazards are greatest in developing countries, many developed countries also have death and serious accident rates higher than those in the United States. Even in countries with low accident rates, you may be at risk if you are not familiar with local traffic rules. Be sure you familiarize yourself with traffic rules and road safety issues in your host country and other countries to which you may be traveling.
Chile has an excellent and extensive bus system for travel within the country. Buses are popular, comfortable, and cheap. They normally run on time and tickets should be purchased ahead of time.
For travel between cities, buses go to most places. For example, from Viña del Mar or Valparaíso to Santiago, there are buses every 15 minutes and the round trip fare is approximately Ch$ 5,000. From Santiago, one can travel to the North or South by bus. In addition, there are daily flights from the National Airport in Santiago to the main cities.
For travel within the capital city of Santiago, the Metro system works very well.