FAQ

View frequently asked questions about Loyola University Maryland's Chilean Study Tour here:

Is Chile safe?
What is the weather like?
What is the food like?
Will I have any free time to explore, or will I be busy every minute?
Do I need to speak Spanish to make the trip an enjoyable and worthwhile experience?
I don’t have a passport, where can I go to get one? How soon should I begin this process?
How are roommate assignments made?
Can I get a single room if I want?
What kind of clothes should I pack?
Are there any difficulties using my appliances?
How much cash should I bring? Do I have to bring Chilean pesos?
Can I use my ATM card in Chile without difficulty?
Can I use my financial aid toward the cost of the trip?
What happens if I change my mind after I have made my payment(s)?
I would really like to participate in the 2024 Chilean Study Tour. To assure a spot in the class, how soon should I turn in the application?
I am a student on the waiting list. What are my chances of making the tour?
Where can I find more information about traveling to Chile?

 

Is Chile safe?

Yes. Santiago is a modern cosmopolitan city with a European flair. Viña del Mar is a beach resort city where wealthy Chileans vacation. While you should be cautious as you would in any major U.S. city, tour participants have walked around both cities at night without incident.

What is the weather like?

In March, it will be late summer in Chile. The weather is fantastic. It is sunny and warm. It is not too humid. It does, however, get quite cool at night. In Viña, it can get chilly in the evenings.

What is the food like?

Chile is a country with 3000 miles of coastline. Not surprisingly, they eat a lot of seafood. But, they also eat a lot of meat. In fact, meat (especially beef) is very common. Empanadas are particularly delicious. Wine is served with all meals. Beer is becoming increasingly popular.

Will I have any free time to explore, or will I be busy every minute?

This is a study tour, not a vacation. You will be quite busy with site visits, completing your daily assignments, and preparing for the final examination. You will, however, have a significant amount of cultural immersion time available to learn first hand about the Chilean culture.

Do I need to speak Spanish to make the trip an enjoyable and worthwhile experience?

No. Although many Chileans do not speak English, many do—and that is half the fun! All of our presenters will speak in English (or have interpreters). And, there is still time to brush up on that high school Spanish.

I don’t have a passport, where can I go to get one? How soon should I begin this process?

You can go to the post office to get a passport if you start soon enough. You should begin the process as soon as you are sure you want to join the tour. The application process can take up to 3 months to complete. For further information, please refer to the U.S. State Department website.

How are roommate assignments made?

We will honor any roommate requests made by students that are reciprocal (each student must request the other). We anticipate having a social gathering in December; that will afford you an opportunity to see who else is going on the trip and, perhaps, make a roommate choice. If you have no preference, the MBA Program Office will assist the Tour Leaders in making roommate assignments.

Can I get a single room if I want?

Yes, you may. The cost for a single supplement is $1150 (the cost of the extra room).

What kind of clothes should I pack?

You will need professional or business casual attire for the site visits. You will also need casual attire for your free time. Plan on wearing the same outfit more than once (we won’t tell, we promise). It might be wise to bring at least one professional outfit (full suits will not be required), one or two pair of dress pants, two dress shirts and (for men) several ties. You should also bring one to two pairs of casual pants and a few business casual shirts. Bring at least one pair of comfortable shoes! We will discuss this more in class.

Are there any difficulties using my appliances?

Chilean voltage is different from the U.S. voltage. Therefore, you will need converters to use your appliances (e.g., hair dryers, curling irons, etc.). There is a hair dryer in both hotels. Your electronics will likely work on their voltage, but you will need an adaptor.

How much cash should I bring? Do I have to bring Chilean pesos?

You should bring a small amount of U.S. cash, just enough to pay for something to eat at the transit airport (Atlanta/Miami/Dallas) going and coming. Bring your ATM card and get Chilean pesos upon arrival in Santiago. Use your credit card (this way you will obtain the best exchange rate) as much as possible (although credit card companies frequently charge a fee for international use). Check to make sure that your credit card does not charge a foreign transaction fee.

Can I use my ATM card in Chile without difficulty?

Probably. You should check with your bank before leaving to make sure that your ATM card is authorized for international use, but most students have no difficulty using their ATM card in Chile just like they would at home.

Can I use my financial aid toward the cost of the trip?

Yes. To find out the specifics of how this works, you should speak to Graduate Financial Aid at 410-617-5020.

What happens if I change my mind after I have made my payment(s)?

Your deposit of $1000 is non-refundable.

I would really like to participate in the 2024 Chilean Study Tour. To assure a spot in the class, how soon should I turn in the application?

To assure yourself of a place on the tour, complete your application including deposit on December 1, 2023 at 9am.  Applications submitted prior to that date and time will not be honored.  After December 1, 2023 at 9am, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the class is full.  

I am a student on the waiting list. What are my chances of making the tour?

To assure yourself of a place on the tour, complete your application including deposit on December 1, 2023 at 9am. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the class is full.