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.

Also, while much like California, Chile lies in a seismic zone, the earthquake that struck southern Chile in February 2010 was 150 years in the making.  It caused only minor damage in Santiago and Viña del Mar because the buildings in these cities are designed to withstand such earthquakes.
 
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 2 months to complete.  If you delay, you can drive to Washington and get an expedited passport.
 
How are roommate assignments made?
We will honor any roommate requests made by students.  We anticipate having a social gathering after our first class 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 $1160 (the cost of the extra room).

 

What kind of clothes should I pack? 
Since packing space is at a premium, how many business outfits should I bring?

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?
I would bring a minimum 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). You might also consider something like a Capital One credit card which charges no foreign transaction fees.
 
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 Danielle Ballantyne at 410 617 5205.
 
What happens if I change my mind after I have paid my $500 deposit?
If you change your mind before September 1, you will forfeit your $500 deposit.  Your second deposit (of $1000) is due on September 1.  If you change your mind between September 1 and October 14, you will forfeit $1500.  The balance is due on October 14.  Cancellations after October 14 will result in a 100% forfeiture of the entire amount due for the study tour.
 
I would really like to participate in the 2012 Chilean Study Tour.  To assure a spot in the class, how soon should I turn in the application?
This is hard to say.  Typically, the tour closes out early in the registration process.  To assure yourself a place on the tour, turn in your application in as soon as possible on July 12th.   
 
I am a student on the waiting list. What are my chances of making the tour?
This is hard to say.  We typically have taken a small number of students from the waiting list.  To assure a spot in the class, return your completed application on July 12th at 9am.