Revised: May 31, 2011
General Students are responsible for meals and incidental expenses. Some meals are included in the lodging, provided by SEG, but not all breakfasts or lunches are covered, so students should plan expenses to include some meals. Students are responsible for all miscellaneous room charges such as phone calls (use a calling card). · Upon arrival at the Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport ("SCL"), participants of U.S. nationality need to complete a Tourist Card - this allows stays of up-to 90 days and must be shown to Customs when leaving Chile so do not lose it! US Nationals traveling to Chile for the first time on their current passport must also pay a one-time Reciprocity Fee (US$140, A small paper will be attached to the last page of your passport and is valid for the life of the passport.), The tax is different for each home country. Be sure to check the requirements for your country. The tax is paid in the Immigration Area prior to entering the lines that lead to the passport checkpoints. Look for signs. Most major credit cards are accepted most everywhere. Travelers checks are accepted for a fee at banks but are a major hassle (DO NOT BRING TRAVELERS CHECKS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY). ATM's should be ubiquitous and give an excellent exchange rate. You may need a card with a PIN number. In a large city you may find a "money exchanger" and these also give a good rate. Because banks charge a fee for changing money, the exchange rate can be quite poor for exchanging small amounts (team up with someone to exchange a larger amount and save on the fee). · ALL participants should change currency to the Chilean Peso ("CLP") at the Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport - there will not be an opportunity to change currency once the field course begins. The exchange rate in Chile is 453 Chilean pesos per US dollar (March 1, 2011). Exchange Calculator
Prior to Departure · Information Required by SEG prior to departure:
· Chilean Visa: Participants should check their Chilean visa requirements well in-advance of travel to Chile; for some nationalities, the visa may be obtained on the flight to Chile. · Valid Passport: All participants must have a valid Passport that is not due to expire within 6-months of your visit to Chile. Photocopy your Passport: It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of your Passport with you, separate from your Passport and Chilean Tourist Card (issued on arrival, see below), and keep safe. · Tour book/guidebook: Prior to arriving in Chile, purchase a tour book/guidebook (with maps), such as "Lonely Planet" or "Fodor's". This will provide essential travel information, as well as some insight into the history and local customs of Chile. · Medical: Bring with you all medicines that you think you might need including all prescriptions. Assume that you cannot obtain any medicines abroad (i.e. not available or not available when you need it). Be sure to check with your medical insurance for coverage in the destination country. Check with your doctor regarding any shots that you may require. You might want to check the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov). · Safety and Field Gear: All participants must bring safety equipment / clothing required for mine visits (See: What to Bring)--there will be no opportunity to obtain these items once the field course begins.
Transportation and Lodging We are planning to travel by charter bus. Our driver is Roberto. We will use the least expensive and safe lodgings. To economize we will ask participants to share rooms (doubles, tripples, quadruples). The leaders will make the rooming assignments based on the number and types of rooms available. If there are issues with your room assignment, see below. You will receive your room assignment at the front desk. If any changes are needed, they must be made through Dr. Chavez or Petersen. Bus Services (Santiago airport to downtown, Santiago to Antofagasta) Local Transport (Antofagasta Airport to downtown Antofagasta) International / National Terminal in Santiago MAPS (Google)
Internet & Phone Calls Internet access is available in all cities and towns. Wireless is available in most hotels. The best way for making phone calls back to your home country is by buying and using a phone card. Be sure to obtain an international calling card. MCI and other carriers with local access numbers also work. If you have a computer or Wi-fi enabled device, Skype is the way to go. Mobile phone use. Avoid expensive roaming charges. Most carriers offer limited-duration International call packages allowing for affordable calling and text messaging to your home country while travelling overseas. Check with your provider before departure. Also, you must make sure your device will operate in Chile - check your provider's website. Phone calling instructions:
Chile Area Codes - by Region
Climate Travel guides for Antofagasta indicate daytime highs of 23, 19oC (March, May, respectively) and night-time lows of 16, 13oC (March, May, respectively). Photo1: Between Antofagasta and Copiapo (May 2011). Temperatures along the coast are lower in the early morning due to coastal fog in the Chilean winter months. Daylight is three (3) hours less in May than in March. Bring layers of clothing for the warm, breezy days to cool evenings. Remember that long pants and long-sleeve shirts are required for mine visits. The high altitude and bright sun in northern Chile require sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and a hat with a brim as essentials. Sunscreen is required by many mines.
Other Important Information When delcaring rock samples at customs be sure to state the rocks are from "underground"-- Never say "soil". Wash your boots and samples if you are stopping in the USA on your way back home. No alcohol is permitted at the mine sites-- Do not transport any alcohol into a mine; leave it at the hotel. Mines have a "long sleves" policy even in hot weather. Seatbelts must be worn at all times in all vehicles. Laundry facilities are limited. Send out service in a hotel, if it exists, may take more than one day. Electrical appliances run on 220 V, 50 Hz. Electrical sockets accept two round pins-- converters from US to flat pins to Chilean round pins can be found at the airport or hardware stores. Photos: Do not take any pictures of the mine presentations without first asking trip leaders or mine personel. Copies of powerpoint presentations: Do not ask mine personel for copies of presentations as this can be a sensitive subject. The trip leaders may be able to request presentation materials informally and/or obtain permission to access and distribute any public information.
What if problems arise? If you have questions please talk to the leaders at any time. If there are rooming or incompatability issues with anyone or anything, please speak with Dr. Chavez or Dr. Petersen. Do not make any changes in the rooming assignments on your own; we will make whatever adjustments that can be made or are warranted.
Useful URL's
How to Take Notes-- A Primer It is a good idea to take notes or keep a log of all your activities. These notes can serve you in a personal and professional sense. Commonly you will need to make a report of your activities to your boss, so it would be a good idea to have an accurate record. Some things (if relevant) you might want to record are:
Disclaimer You will be traveling as a student tourist everywhere you go. Bring a student I.D., as commonly this can save you money. Your are responsible for your own well being. Observe all safety instructions. You must be in top physical and mental condition. The trip will be rigorous on both counts. You will be expected to participate actively. Revised: 05/31/2011 |