Experience in Valdivia, Chile by Maritza

What is it like to live in Valdivia? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

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It's a small but beautiful city, next to the mountain range and the sea. The pace of life is slow here, everything is relatively nearby. The people drink a lot of alcohol but the end of the night normally comes no later than midnight, unless it's the end of the week, they will drink at home first and arrive at the bar at 2am and stay there until 7am or until the sun comes up. Today is the 10th of April and winter still hasn't arrived.

What is the student lifestyle like in Valdivia?

Valdivia is all that a student could hope for. It has 3 universities and the Austral University of Chile is the oldest and largest one. It has incredible architectural design and it is recognised for it's Veterinary faculty, it is one of the most important in the country and at the Latin American level, a lot of people come from southern Chile and abroad, it has very good degrees and, moreover, studying there is inexpensive.

How much does it cost to live in Valdivia?

Valdivia and Chile are expensive, it's the most expensive country in Latin America, but if you live in this city you'll save money on transport as the student houses are very close, there are state subsidies for students and even on food, you don't have to spend anthing.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Valdivia? Do you have any advice?

You can use mediums such as Couchsurfing if you come on a trip here, or find friends in the university to keep costs down, but if you come as a tourist there are some beautiful hotels on the esplanade of the Calle-Calle river. If you're already coming to study, you will be very happy in the student apartments and you will learn from all of the foreigners there.

And to eat? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is meat, fish, rich flavours and wine, lots of wine.

What places would you recommend visiting in Valdivia?

The museums, the streets themselves. All of the cottages for a Latin American from the tropics will be a dream, it's a small Swiss or a German city stuck in the middle of a mangrove and the island is full of greenery everywhere. The rivers are beautiful, they are not crystal clear but they are big and there is a lot of river movement here. Now if you want the sea, you can go by bike, it takes me 40 minutes, and you'll arrive at Niebla, a beautiful little town and there, you'll see the ocean and the beautiful sunset. To go by bus would only cost 600 Chilean pesos.

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And to eat in Valdivia? What are your favourite places?

I've eaten in several places. But on Teja Island, where the Austral University is, there are some amazing restaurants, I remember Lio, La Terraza, Approach, La Celesta, Kunstmann, Toro Diablo and Cosa Rica. There are more but I don't remember their names.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Valdivia?

I went to La Terraza and Murano, they were great.

Do you have any advice for future students in Valdivia?

They're really relaxed about how you dress, so you don't need your best clothes, they're like hippies. You need big coats for the winter and you need to be eager to learn. I'm a friend of a dean, so if you need any aditional help, write to me.

I hope you have a great time, CACHAY! This is a typical Chilean expression, it means Understand!