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Studying in Santiago wasn’t part of my plan. But thanks to a few unexpected twists, I stumbled into one of the best years of my life and now I can’t imagine studying anywhere else. These first three months in Chile have been some of the most eye-opening of my life. I’m studying at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, or “UC,” as everyone calls it. Funny enough, it’s just one letter off from UCL, a small reminder that even halfway across the world, there’s a piece of home here too.
Let’s be honest: the visa process isn’t the fun part. It’s long, confusing, and full of waiting. But it taught me patience and perspective. Somewhere between the paperwork and long waiting times, I realized how lucky I am to have the freedom to study wherever I choose. Don’t procrastinate this part, it’ll make your transition so much smoother. And don’t forget to use the support available! Both universities are incredibly helpful if you just reach out. Trust me, it will all be worth it the moment you look out the plane window and see the breath-taking Andes for the first time. Chile is surreal, this country stretches between the desert, the ocean, and the mountains but what really makes it unforgettable are its people. Every small act of kindness, from locals helping me find the right bus or gifting me an umbrella in the pouring rain, to friends inviting me to Sunday asados with their families has made Santiago feel like home faster than I ever expected. Finding a place to live can be overwhelming, my advice is to book an Airbnb for your first couple of weeks and explore. You’ll also meet many students from around the world in the same boat, maybe even your next roommate. Santiago is a mosaic of neighbourhoods, each with its own vibe. I ended up in Barrio Italia, a cozy, artsy area full of cafés, markets, and creative energy. It’s close to uni, and finally, the coffee is affordable.
UC feels a lot like UCL: a huge student base, curious minds, buzzing energy, and endless activities. While there aren’t traditional “societies,” there are plenty of programs that help you settle in. The CAUC cultural department offers incredible trips, workshops, and events, and the MAI Buddy Program pairs exchange students with locals, mine has become like a brother and taught me the slang and how to be a real santiaguina. A few weeks ago, I attended the 20-year celebration of CAUC, founded by exchange students who once felt as lost as I did. They built what they couldn’t find: community. Standing in that room filled with laughter and accents from around the world, I realized something belonging isn’t something you stumble upon, it’s something you create. Your weekends will belong to the Andes and to nature. Hiking here isn’t just an activity, it’s a lifestyle. You spend weekends exploring the country’s endless landscapes: catching sunrise over snow-capped peaks, skiing in September just an hour from the city, or surfing in Pichilemu, home to the longest left-hand wave in the world. Every trip feel like discovering a new world.
Studying abroad in Chile isn’t just about improving your Spanish. It’s about learning empathy, adaptability, and how to find home anywhere. So, if you’re on the fence about where to go for your year abroad, come to Santiago. Yes, it’s daunting to fly to the end of the world and dive into a completely different culture, but you’ll find the similarities too: trading your Oyster card for a Bip! card, Moodle for Canvas, and Scala nights for salsa and bachata classes followed by Miércoles Po (yes, Wednesday nights out are a thing here). Come for the mountains, the music, and the empanadas, but stay for the people. Because they’ll remind you that kindness is universal and that home is something we can build, no matter where we land.
