International Students Experience a Cultural, Linguistic and Innovative Immersion in Chile
Combining language, culture, and entrepreneurship, the Apacheta international summer program brought young talents from New Zealand and South Korea into contact with Chile’s business and innovation ecosystem, while offering them an immersive experience of Chilean and Latin American culture on the UC Chile campuses.
photo_camera International students participating in the Apacheta cultural and business immersive program at UC Chile. (Photo credit: Samuel Díaz, Office of the Vice President for International Affairs)
Designed to enhance the experience of learning (Chilean) Spanish, the Apacheta Program paired intensive language classes with cultural immersion activities focused on providing a more in-depth understanding of Chile’s business landscape. Held in January, this year’s cohort included eight international students from various disciplines, including Economics, Agronomy, Chemistry, and Biology.
The participants, from the University of Auckland and Korea University, joined students from UC Chile on field trips and local activities. These instances allowed them to practice Chilean Spanish—with its unique features and idioms—using the language itself as a gateway to understanding how personal and professional relationships are built within the context of the Latin American market.
“It was amazing to see everyone come together to gain valuable knowledge from this experience, which we will take with us to apply in our careers and jobs. So, I would certainly recommend this program to students at my university, regardless of their field of study,” says Joseph Bahoo, a student from the University of Auckland.
The Apacheta international program is a collaborative initiative between the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs and the Español UC program from the Faculty of Literature and Language Sciences. Members of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences also participated in the program.
This year’s participants featured students from the University of Auckland in New Zealand and Korea University in South Korea, two institutions that have participated in exchange programs with UC Chile in previous summer courses. This program helped to strengthen intercultural connections between our students and their international peers, while deepening institutional relationships and paving the way for future academic collaborations.
In this edition of the program, the participants visited tourist attractions and heritage sites in Santiago and Valparaíso, allowing them to enjoy Chilean cuisine and discover the customs of Chile and Latin America.
“What I liked most about Chile was the way people greet each other. In Korea, when we meet up with our friends, we just wave our hands in the air, but in Chile, people hug, kiss, and ask how the other person is doing. I found that it was very thoughtful and kind,” says Lee Soobin, a student from Korea University.
Apacheta offers a complete experience focused on the Chilean business world, aiming to inspire collaboration among emerging global talents. “Chilean entrepreneurs gave us an introduction to the local market and invited us to join in and develop business ideas here. I’m building a startup in Korea, so I’m very interested in sharing this information so we can work together and let people in Korea know there are opportunities in Chile,” added Soobin.
The 2026 edition of Apacheta came to an end with the aim of promoting innovation and intercultural exchange. We invite future generations to take part in this unique opportunity and join upcoming editions of the program.
