A total of 129 students from different countries like Mexico, Germany, France; Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Bolivia, Uruguay and Belgium spent this semester at Universidad de Santiago through its student exchange program. They all agree that the academic excellence and social responsibility are the university’s hallmarks.

Every semester, the Department of International and Inter-University Relations of Universidad de Santiago de Chile receives foreign students to promote, strengthen and expand its national and international links and contribute to the university’s positioning and its work in different fields.

During the second semester of 2016 (August-December), a total of 129 students from different countries like Mexico, Germany, France; Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Bolivia, Uruguay and Belgium participated in the student exchange program. They selected one of the 68 programs available at Universidad de Santiago and enrolled as students, researchers or interns. 

An internationally renowned university

Karin Chavarría, a student at the Bachelor’s Degree in Literature program of Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, the leading public university in Bolivia, was awarded a scholarship to spend one academic semester at Universidad de Santiago.

“I had never seen a university this large, with all the schools together. That was the first thing that surprised me. The study program has been really complete,” she says.

She adds that she came to Chile through a program of the Montevideo Group Association of Universities. “They provided everything while we were here: accommodation, food and impeccable training, with very good professors. Our classmates received us very well and we made many friends. I recommend Universidad de Santiago for it is one of the best universities in Latin America and worldwide,” she says.

A human and professional network

José Fernando Aguayo, student at the Bachelor’s in Artistic and Industrial Ceramics of Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina, enrolled in the Bachelor’s in History program of Universidad de Santiago this semester. His experience was so rewarding that he decided to apply for another semester.

“I am applying for another semester at the university, particularly for its environment, for my classmates and the human network between students and professors in which you can interact as equals,” he says.

Jasmine Morgan, a student at the Medicine program of Universidad de Alcalá, Spain, completed an internship at Universidad de Santiago. “This is the best thing that has happened to me. I feel very identified with this university. I think its students have a higher level of training, because they have a higher contact with patients and a closer follow up,” she says.

Human quality and comradeship

Among the best things of this semester abroad, these foreign students highlight the sense of comradeship at Universidad de Santiago. Kevin Moreno, a student at the Elementary Teaching Program of Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Mexico, confirms this fact. He applied to Universidad de Santiago on the recommendation of a friend of him who had already spent a semester here.

“The truth is that I had no information about the educational system in Santiago, but once I got here I realized that the system is excellent. There are very good professors, good classmates, good people and there is a nice environment inside and outside the university,” he says.

Myia Newton, a student at the Modern Languages and Spanish program of the University of Windsor, Canada, says that during her stay at Universidad de Santiago, she remembered why she had decided to study languages and, particularly, Spanish.

“My professors are the best and I have learned so much. Some of my classmates are the best people I have met in my five years of university. I am very lucky for having this opportunity. The friends I have made here have inspired me to come back and live here once I finish the university,” she says.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Eleven American students started their study abroad program at Universidad de Santiago, in the context of the College of Charleston International Program, and opportunity for academic exchange led by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of Universidad de Santiago. This is the second time that Universidad de Santiago receives students from that public university of USA.

By the end of August, eleven American students coming from the College of Charleston participated in a welcome breakfast at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, in the context of the academic exchange program led by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities (FAHU) of Universidad de Santiago. The program allows students at the College of Charleston, a public university in South Carolina (USA), to spend one academic semester at Universidad de Santiago and take courses of Linguistics, International Relations, Spanish, History and others.

Dr Marcelo Mella, Dean of the Faculty, Dr Roxana Orrego, Director of the Department of Linguistics and Literature, and professors at the program also participated in this welcome activity. “This program will contribute to internationalize the university and to show our students that there are foreign institutions that trust our university to strengthen their students’ training,” Dr Orrego says.

The International College of Charleston

The International College of Charleston is a study abroad program led by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities that allows students at that College to spend an academic semester at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, just like if they were at their own university.

The students attend courses given by professors at the Department of Linguistics and Literature and the Department of History, and they include Chilean History, Political Science, Advanced Spanish and Grammar.

New members of the FAHU community

The group of American students will be here until December and they are: Jalen Dourine Brooks-Knepfle, Alexandra Elizabeth Comey, Amber M. Corry, Gregory Wayne Czekaj, Arthur Hamilton Dunlop, Edwin Randolph Hille, Alexander Joseph Hyams, Reilly Brielle Kilpatrick, Alexandra Elizabeth Mocerino, Alyssa Marie Páramo and Eric Charles Singleton.

During their first days in Chile, the students were accompanied by professor Andrew Sobiesuo, Associate Provost for International Education of the College of Charleston. He said he was very satisfied with this new exchange process, which has contributed to strengthen collaboration links between both institutions.

Dr Sobiesuo said that this program is important because learning Spanish is essential for his students. “We teach Spanish at our university, but we think it is very important for our students to spend some time living in the culture where that language is spoken. The program helps them to live the Spanish culture,” he says.

He added that the program has called the attention among Charleston students. “We have had very good results: Last year nine students came and this year three of them wanted to come again, but only two of them were able to come in the end. Let’s hope next year we have 14 or more interested students,” he says.

The students who came on this occasion said that they were interested in the program to improve their Spanish level and to learn about the culture of our country.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• 110 new students from 13 different countries will attend Universidad de Santiago this semester, thanks to the Student Exchange Program promoted by the university since 2007. The President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, welcomed them at a ceremony this week.

110 new students from 13 different countries will attend Universidad de Santiago this semester, thanks to the Student Exchange Program promoted by the university since 2007. The President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, welcomed them at a ceremony this week. Their interest for improving their Spanish level and learning about Chilean history and cultural richness are among the main reasons for them to choose the country, and particularly, Universidad de Santiago.

They are 110 youngsters from 49 higher education institutions abroad. 35 students come from Mexico, 26 from Spain; 9 from Argentina; 8 from France;  8 from Brazil; 6 from Germany; five from Colombia; 4 from Canada; 4 from Austria; 2 from Korea; one from Ecuador; one from Peru and one from Great Britain. This means that 32 out of the 64 programs of the university have at least one foreign student enrolled.

During the welcome ceremony held at the Kepler Room of the Planetarium, President Juan Manuel Zolezzi told the students: “The fact that you have trusted Universidad de Santiago, its excellence level of training and its social responsibility is not by chance. This is why it so important that you are here.”

Dr Zolezzi invited them to “Make the most of your time at this university. It is the moment to develop academic and affective networks that may contribute to your future as students, professionals and persons. Likewise, in a few years, we would like to see you again in our classrooms, in continuing education courses or pursuing master’s and doctoral programs.”

Universidad de Santiago’s quality and excellence 

In the QS World University Rankings and the Shanghai Ranking, Universidad de Santiago has been ranked among the 15 best higher education institutions in Latin America and among the three most important universities nationwide.

In this context, Dr Sergio González, Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, says: “One of the facts that we consider very positive is that we are strengthening our links with universities that continue entrusting their students to us. This confirms the prestige and good image that Universidad de Santiago has abroad, particularly in European and Latin America countries, as most of our exchange students come from those regions.”

Foreign voices

Roxana Vargas is Mexican and she comes from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. “I come from a private university, so the difference with a public university is very big. I am surprised by and satisfied with the way in which the classes are given in the Architecture program,” she says.

She is 21 years old and she seems to have her goals very clear. “I chose Universidad de Santiago de Chile because it offers a wide variety of programs and its facilities and infrastructure are among the most complete in Chile. We know this abroad. I would like to understand the continent where I live. It is important to learn about what is ours. That is one of the goals I set to myself when coming to Chile: to learn about all that richness,” she says.

Song-I Na is 21 years old and she is from South Korea. In her country, she studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. She says she has “A big interest in studying Spanish and history of different countries.” For this reason, she enrolled in the History program. “A Korean friend who lives in Santiago recommended the university to me,” she says. While in Chile, she intends to travel along the country and part of South America.

Myia Newton is 23 years old and she comes from the University of Windsor in Canada. She is part of the first group of Canadian students entering Universidad de Santiago. “I study Modern Languages and Spanish there. Here, I enrolled in the Spanish Teaching program. This university is bigger than my university. My classmates are very kind and they have been very helpful. Teachers are similar in quality. They are kind and close to students. I’m here to improve my Spanish level and learn about a different culture, in a different place, because language is culture,” she says.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Through the Student Exchange Program of Universidad de Santiago’s Department of International and Inter-University Relations, 108 students from 13 countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia will be attending different programs at our university during the first semester 2016. The high position of the university in national and international rankings explains the foreign students’ interest.

The Student Exchange Program of the Department of International and Inter-University Relations has been receiving an increasing number of student exchange applications due to the university’s position in national and international rankings (third place nationwide, according to the QS Rankings). This semester, 108 foreign students will be attending different programs at Universidad de Santiago. 

According to Carol Johnson, head of this Department, the current figures are very positive, as every academic unit, i.e., the seven faculties plus the School of Architecture, has received foreign students this semester.

“The challenge set by the Student Exchange Program of Universidad de Santiago involves not only increasing the number of foreign students at our institution but including more countries, so that students represent different realities,” she explains.

Fifty percent of the programs are expected to have at least one foreign student and most of them will attend the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Administration, and Economics and the School of Architecture.

The students come from 47 foreign universities in 13 different countries, like FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (Austria), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (South Korea), Sciences Po (France), University of Cadiz (Spain), University of the Basqe Country (Spain), University of Granada (Spain), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and the University of Windsor (Canada). It is worth to mention that this is the first time that Universidad de Santiago receives students from Canada.

The Student Exchange Program started in 2007. That year, the university received 29 students and the number has increased year on year. In 2015, 332 foreign students attended Universidad de Santiago, the largest number since the beginning of the program.

According to Carol Johnson, the steady increase in foreign students interested in coming to our university for one semester is due to the university’s academic excellence. Foreign students become ambassadors for Universidad de Santiago once they return to their home countries.

“Foreign universities have entrusted an increasing number of students to us for the experience that  they enjoy here and then share with their classmates once they go back home,” she said.

Academic excellence and diversity of students

Carol Johnson thinks that our university’s academic excellence and the diversity of our students are the main reasons why foreign students decide to choose Universidad de Santiago for an exchange period.

Our institution has been ranked as the third best university in Chile, and according to the QS Rankings 2015, it is in the 451/460 rank worldwide out of 800 universities surveyed. 

“Receiving foreign students is very important for us, because it means that other universities recognize our academic work,” she added.

Besides, the academic and cultural activities that the university offers are very attractive to students from other countries.

Internationalization strategy for graduate programs

Since 2015, Universidad de Santiago has been working on promoting student exchange at a graduate level and getting funding to allow graduate students to conduct research at foreign universities.

“We have signed some agreements with foreign universities and, this year, we intend to develop a graduate exchange program, similar to the one for undergraduate students. Currently, we have agreements with the University of Sao Paulo and other universities in Latin America and we signed another with the French Embassy to get funding to allow Chilean students to conduct research at French institutions,” Carol Johnson concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The agreement signed by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities and the Department of Hispanic Studies of the oldest public university in South Carolina (USA), allows American students to take literature courses at Universidad de Santiago, promoting cultural exchange.

• For the Associate Provost for International Education of the College of Charleston, Andrew Sobiesuo, this agreement “Offers very good opportunities for American students to know the Chilean and Latin American cultures and build links between both institutions.”

• For her part, the Head of the Department of Linguistics and Literature, Dr Roxana Orrego, recognized the value of this initiative and she expects “The agreement to last for a long time to allow youngsters to enter into friendly relationships and strengthen language development, English and Spanish, in this case.”

   

  On September 29^th, nine students of the College of Charleston (South Carolina, USA) had a friendly colloquy with students at the English Language Education program of Universidad de Santiago.

  The activity was held at the Citecamp building in the context of the agreement signed by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities and the Department of Hispanic Studies of the oldest public university in South Carolina, (USA).

  This agreement was signed at the beginning of this year and it allows students of that American institution to take literature courses at Universidad de Santiago and to participate in different activities to promote cultural exchange.

  During the activity, Dr Roxana Orrego, Head of the Department of Linguistics and Literature, recognized the value of starting this unprecedented agreement with a university which is renowned for its high academic level.

  “We are pleased to start a program that we had been planning for two years and we expect to be well evaluated by the foreign students, so that this program becomes stronger, lasts for a long time and allows youngsters to enter into friendly relationships and strengthen language development, English and Spanish, in this case,” Dr Orrego said.

   

  Earlier this year, during his visit to Universidad de Santiago, Andrew Sobiesuo, Associate Provost for International Education of the College of Charleston, showed himself “very optimistic” about the agreement and he said that it “Offers very good opportunities for American students to know the Chilean and Latin American cultures and build links between both institutions.”

   

  More than language practice

  During the colloquy, Professor Manuel Santibáñez, Head of the English Language Education program, also valued this inter-institutional agreement and he said that its potential “Goes beyond just practicing a language.”

  “It is a very positive opportunity for our students to understand others and understand their culture, especially for those who still have not had the chance of travelling abroad,” professor Santibáñez said.

  According to him, the opportunity of meeting with foreign students “Will allow our students to generate connections that will go beyond this activity.”

   

  “For our students, realizing that they can perfectly communicate in other language is very motivating. This will help them to lose the fear of applying for scholarships and travel to other countries, something that all foreign language teachers should do,” he said.

  Students’ opinions

  Vincent Abbate (23) is one of the nine American students at Universidad de Santiago who participated in the colloquy.

  “I have really enjoyed the experience of knowing Chile and this university. I have been able to practice mi Spanish, learn new words every day and meet very nice people, Abbate said. He added that now he is trying to see other places in the country and to learn local expressions.

  For her part, Daniela Olivares, a fifth-year student at the English Language Education program of Universidad de Santiago, expressed her gratitude for “The opportunity to share with foreign youngsters and to strengthen our knowledge both of English and Spanish.”

  “Although we have been studying for many years, this has been a very good opportunity for learning through practice. We have been able to learn new words, how people live abroad and what are these students’ experiences in Chile,” she said.

   

  Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Universidad de Santiago has received a total of 259 foreign youngsters during the 2014 academic year, including the 123 foreign exchange students this semester. This upward trend in the past years is due the University’s excellent reputation. This semester, students from the Americas and Europe will be part of our University community.
• During the welcome ceremony held at the Espacio Isidora Aguirre, Dr. Sergio González, the Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, said that the good image of our University and its academic excellence, reflected in the last QS Ranking, among others, “has allowed us in the past two years to almost double the number of foreign students who choose our institution to pursue part of their university training.”

On October 9th, at the recently opened Espacio Isidora Aguirre of the Vice Presidency of Outreach and Engagement, (VIME, in Spanish), Universidad de Santiago held a welcome ceremony for the 123 exchange students that entered this semester.

These young students coming from universities in Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, the Unites States, France and Italy, considered together with the ones who arrived at the beginning of the year, total up to 259 foreign students at our University this year: a record for our institution.

At the ceremony, the Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, who headed the activity on behalf of the University President Juan Manuel Zolezzi, encouraged the students to enjoy their stay at our University. He said that they “are joining one of the best universities in Chile, which has been accredited for six years and is highly recognized both at a national and international level.”

Vice President González said that the University’s prestige, which is reflected in the last QS Ranking, “has allowed us in the past two years to almost double the number of foreign students who choose this institution to pursue part of their university training.”

He also detailed the programs preferred by these foreign students: “25 of them entered the Commercial Engineering program; 12, the Architecture program, and seven, the Journalism program. Regarding faculties, 45 entered the Faculty of Administration and Economics; 33 entered the Faculty of Humanities, and 18 entered the Faculty of Engineering.”

After welcoming the students who will stay for one or two semesters at our University, Carol Johnson, the Head of the Department of International and Inter-University Relations (DRII, in Spanish) said that the good number of exchange students is due, among other factors, to “the very positive opinion shared by the students who come to our University that, in turn, encourage foreign universities to increase the number of students that they send here.”

“At the same time- Carol Johnson added- we are signing new collaboration agreements with very good universities. Two of them are the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and the Leibniz Universität Hannover, in Germany. With them, we have collaboration in student exchange, research and others.”

The highest expectations

One of the foreign students entering the Commercial Engineering program at Universidad de Santiago is Flavie Rabovan, a student coming from the Polytech Lille, in France.

She said that, through this exchange experience, she seeks “to discover a new culture and new ways of studying and working.”

For his part, Iván Lozano, a student at the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila (Mexico) who entered the School of Architecture, said that he has the highest expectations regarding his stay at our University.

“For all of us, entering this University is a very important step. We expect to grow as students, but particularly to grow as persons. This experience will stay with us for the rest of our lives,” he proudly concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

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     A total of 129 students from different countries like Mexico, Germany, France; Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Bolivia, Uruguay and Belgium spent this semester at Universidad de Santiago through its student exchange program. They all agree that the academic excellence and social responsibility are the university’s hallmarks.

Every semester, the Department of International and Inter-University Relations of Universidad de Santiago de Chile receives foreign students to promote, strengthen and expand its national and international links and contribute to the university’s positioning and its work in different fields.

During the second semester of 2016 (August-December), a total of 129 students from different countries like Mexico, Germany, France; Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Bolivia, Uruguay and Belgium participated in the student exchange program. They selected one of the 68 programs available at Universidad de Santiago and enrolled as students, researchers or interns. 

An internationally renowned university

Karin Chavarría, a student at the Bachelor’s Degree in Literature program of Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, the leading public university in Bolivia, was awarded a scholarship to spend one academic semester at Universidad de Santiago.

“I had never seen a university this large, with all the schools together. That was the first thing that surprised me. The study program has been really complete,” she says.

She adds that she came to Chile through a program of the Montevideo Group Association of Universities. “They provided everything while we were here: accommodation, food and impeccable training, with very good professors. Our classmates received us very well and we made many friends. I recommend Universidad de Santiago for it is one of the best universities in Latin America and worldwide,” she says.

A human and professional network

José Fernando Aguayo, student at the Bachelor’s in Artistic and Industrial Ceramics of Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina, enrolled in the Bachelor’s in History program of Universidad de Santiago this semester. His experience was so rewarding that he decided to apply for another semester.

“I am applying for another semester at the university, particularly for its environment, for my classmates and the human network between students and professors in which you can interact as equals,” he says.

Jasmine Morgan, a student at the Medicine program of Universidad de Alcalá, Spain, completed an internship at Universidad de Santiago. “This is the best thing that has happened to me. I feel very identified with this university. I think its students have a higher level of training, because they have a higher contact with patients and a closer follow up,” she says.

Human quality and comradeship

Among the best things of this semester abroad, these foreign students highlight the sense of comradeship at Universidad de Santiago. Kevin Moreno, a student at the Elementary Teaching Program of Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Mexico, confirms this fact. He applied to Universidad de Santiago on the recommendation of a friend of him who had already spent a semester here.

“The truth is that I had no information about the educational system in Santiago, but once I got here I realized that the system is excellent. There are very good professors, good classmates, good people and there is a nice environment inside and outside the university,” he says.

Myia Newton, a student at the Modern Languages and Spanish program of the University of Windsor, Canada, says that during her stay at Universidad de Santiago, she remembered why she had decided to study languages and, particularly, Spanish.

“My professors are the best and I have learned so much. Some of my classmates are the best people I have met in my five years of university. I am very lucky for having this opportunity. The friends I have made here have inspired me to come back and live here once I finish the university,” she says.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Eleven American students started their study abroad program at Universidad de Santiago, in the context of the College of Charleston International Program, and opportunity for academic exchange led by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of Universidad de Santiago. This is the second time that Universidad de Santiago receives students from that public university of USA.

By the end of August, eleven American students coming from the College of Charleston participated in a welcome breakfast at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, in the context of the academic exchange program led by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities (FAHU) of Universidad de Santiago. The program allows students at the College of Charleston, a public university in South Carolina (USA), to spend one academic semester at Universidad de Santiago and take courses of Linguistics, International Relations, Spanish, History and others.

Dr Marcelo Mella, Dean of the Faculty, Dr Roxana Orrego, Director of the Department of Linguistics and Literature, and professors at the program also participated in this welcome activity. “This program will contribute to internationalize the university and to show our students that there are foreign institutions that trust our university to strengthen their students’ training,” Dr Orrego says.

The International College of Charleston

The International College of Charleston is a study abroad program led by the Department of Linguistics and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities that allows students at that College to spend an academic semester at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, just like if they were at their own university.

The students attend courses given by professors at the Department of Linguistics and Literature and the Department of History, and they include Chilean History, Political Science, Advanced Spanish and Grammar.

New members of the FAHU community

The group of American students will be here until December and they are: Jalen Dourine Brooks-Knepfle, Alexandra Elizabeth Comey, Amber M. Corry, Gregory Wayne Czekaj, Arthur Hamilton Dunlop, Edwin Randolph Hille, Alexander Joseph Hyams, Reilly Brielle Kilpatrick, Alexandra Elizabeth Mocerino, Alyssa Marie Páramo and Eric Charles Singleton.

During their first days in Chile, the students were accompanied by professor Andrew Sobiesuo, Associate Provost for International Education of the College of Charleston. He said he was very satisfied with this new exchange process, which has contributed to strengthen collaboration links between both institutions.

Dr Sobiesuo said that this program is important because learning Spanish is essential for his students. “We teach Spanish at our university, but we think it is very important for our students to spend some time living in the culture where that language is spoken. The program helps them to live the Spanish culture,” he says.

He added that the program has called the attention among Charleston students. “We have had very good results: Last year nine students came and this year three of them wanted to come again, but only two of them were able to come in the end. Let’s hope next year we have 14 or more interested students,” he says.

The students who came on this occasion said that they were interested in the program to improve their Spanish level and to learn about the culture of our country.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• 110 new students from 13 different countries will attend Universidad de Santiago this semester, thanks to the Student Exchange Program promoted by the university since 2007. The President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, welcomed them at a ceremony this week.

110 new students from 13 different countries will attend Universidad de Santiago this semester, thanks to the Student Exchange Program promoted by the university since 2007. The President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, welcomed them at a ceremony this week. Their interest for improving their Spanish level and learning about Chilean history and cultural richness are among the main reasons for them to choose the country, and particularly, Universidad de Santiago.

They are 110 youngsters from 49 higher education institutions abroad. 35 students come from Mexico, 26 from Spain; 9 from Argentina; 8 from France;  8 from Brazil; 6 from Germany; five from Colombia; 4 from Canada; 4 from Austria; 2 from Korea; one from Ecuador; one from Peru and one from Great Britain. This means that 32 out of the 64 programs of the university have at least one foreign student enrolled.

During the welcome ceremony held at the Kepler Room of the Planetarium, President Juan Manuel Zolezzi told the students: “The fact that you have trusted Universidad de Santiago, its excellence level of training and its social responsibility is not by chance. This is why it so important that you are here.”

Dr Zolezzi invited them to “Make the most of your time at this university. It is the moment to develop academic and affective networks that may contribute to your future as students, professionals and persons. Likewise, in a few years, we would like to see you again in our classrooms, in continuing education courses or pursuing master’s and doctoral programs.”

Universidad de Santiago’s quality and excellence 

In the QS World University Rankings and the Shanghai Ranking, Universidad de Santiago has been ranked among the 15 best higher education institutions in Latin America and among the three most important universities nationwide.

In this context, Dr Sergio González, Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, says: “One of the facts that we consider very positive is that we are strengthening our links with universities that continue entrusting their students to us. This confirms the prestige and good image that Universidad de Santiago has abroad, particularly in European and Latin America countries, as most of our exchange students come from those regions.”

Foreign voices

Roxana Vargas is Mexican and she comes from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. “I come from a private university, so the difference with a public university is very big. I am surprised by and satisfied with the way in which the classes are given in the Architecture program,” she says.

She is 21 years old and she seems to have her goals very clear. “I chose Universidad de Santiago de Chile because it offers a wide variety of programs and its facilities and infrastructure are among the most complete in Chile. We know this abroad. I would like to understand the continent where I live. It is important to learn about what is ours. That is one of the goals I set to myself when coming to Chile: to learn about all that richness,” she says.

Song-I Na is 21 years old and she is from South Korea. In her country, she studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. She says she has “A big interest in studying Spanish and history of different countries.” For this reason, she enrolled in the History program. “A Korean friend who lives in Santiago recommended the university to me,” she says. While in Chile, she intends to travel along the country and part of South America.

Myia Newton is 23 years old and she comes from the University of Windsor in Canada. She is part of the first group of Canadian students entering Universidad de Santiago. “I study Modern Languages and Spanish there. Here, I enrolled in the Spanish Teaching program. This university is bigger than my university. My classmates are very kind and they have been very helpful. Teachers are similar in quality. They are kind and close to students. I’m here to improve my Spanish level and learn about a different culture, in a different place, because language is culture,” she says.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Through the Student Exchange Program of Universidad de Santiago’s Department of International and Inter-University Relations, 108 students from 13 countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia will be attending different programs at our university during the first semester 2016. The high position of the university in national and international rankings explains the foreign students’ interest.

The Student Exchange Program of the Department of International and Inter-University Relations has been receiving an increasing number of student exchange applications due to the university’s position in national and international rankings (third place nationwide, according to the QS Rankings). This semester, 108 foreign students will be attending different programs at Universidad de Santiago. 

According to Carol Johnson, head of this Department, the current figures are very positive, as every academic unit, i.e., the seven faculties plus the School of Architecture, has received foreign students this semester.

“The challenge set by the Student Exchange Program of Universidad de Santiago involves not only increasing the number of foreign students at our institution but including more countries, so that students represent different realities,” she explains.

Fifty percent of the programs are expected to have at least one foreign student and most of them will attend the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Administration, and Economics and the School of Architecture.

The students come from 47 foreign universities in 13 different countries, like FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (Austria), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (South Korea), Sciences Po (France), University of Cadiz (Spain), University of the Basqe Country (Spain), University of Granada (Spain), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and the University of Windsor (Canada). It is worth to mention that this is the first time that Universidad de Santiago receives students from Canada.

The Student Exchange Program started in 2007. That year, the university received 29 students and the number has increased year on year. In 2015, 332 foreign students attended Universidad de Santiago, the largest number since the beginning of the program.

According to Carol Johnson, the steady increase in foreign students interested in coming to our university for one semester is due to the university’s academic excellence. Foreign students become ambassadors for Universidad de Santiago once they return to their home countries.

“Foreign universities have entrusted an increasing number of students to us for the experience that  they enjoy here and then share with their classmates once they go back home,” she said.

Academic excellence and diversity of students

Carol Johnson thinks that our university’s academic excellence and the diversity of our students are the main reasons why foreign students decide to choose Universidad de Santiago for an exchange period.

Our institution has been ranked as the third best university in Chile, and according to the QS Rankings 2015, it is in the 451/460 rank worldwide out of 800 universities surveyed. 

“Receiving foreign students is very important for us, because it means that other universities recognize our academic work,” she added.

Besides, the academic and cultural activities that the university offers are very attractive to students from other countries.

Internationalization strategy for graduate programs

Since 2015, Universidad de Santiago has been working on promoting student exchange at a graduate level and getting funding to allow graduate students to conduct research at foreign universities.

“We have signed some agreements with foreign universities and, this year, we intend to develop a graduate exchange program, similar to the one for undergraduate students. Currently, we have agreements with the University of Sao Paulo and other universities in Latin America and we signed another with the French Embassy to get funding to allow Chilean students to conduct research at French institutions,” Carol Johnson concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras