Before leaving on exchange I had no idea what to expect from Vina del Mar, Chile. Arriving by bus I entered a city in which I thought resembled a European Miami. Vina was unlike any other city I had encountered in South America. There are cobblestone walkways that run for kilometers along the beach and palm trees that line the spillway that splits the city. The huge casino and vibrant night life made Vina the perfect getaway. There are just over 300,000 inhabitants in Vina and it is only 10 kilometers away from Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the gorgeous street art that lines the walkways and allies.
The lack of English in Chile forced me to step outside my comfort zone and practice my Spanish at every opportunity. If I were to compare Chilean Spanish to any other Spanish I have encountered, it would resemble someone typing on a keyboard with no spacebar. The lack of emphasis on words and the slang that comprises the majority of their vocabulary, make it difficult to understand. Although, with the large language barrier, the people I met were always willing to slow down, speak clearly, or play charades to help me.
The main form of transportation in Chile is by bus. The bus network and quality of the buses puts Greyhound to shame. Turbus is the main bus company in Chile and runs punctually, is clean, affordable and allows for a comfortable ride no matter the length of the journey. The best way to navigate Vina is by Micro (a small public bus) or collectivo (a shared taxi) which travel specific routes throughout the city. The cramped buses will pick up anyone who has their hand out on the side of the road. An average Micro ride varies from 20 to 50 cents and the average Collectivo ride is around one dollar.
Universidad de Vina del Mar has 7 campuses throughout the city. The international campus is located right in the centre of Vina and easily accessible by Micro, Collective or the metro. Carlos Torres and his team are in charge of the international students and plan monthly events to ensure everyone is engaged and having fun. The class sizes are small which allows for one on one instruction and the teachers were very patient as a struggled to pronounce even the simplest words in Spanish.
I honestly think Vina del Mar is the best possible city to go to for exchange. The people, culture and gorgeous landscapes made my time abroad lifechanging.