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UC Chile Welcomes Over 400 International Students

The traditional welcome ceremony for international students aims to bring together the new incoming generation, who will be part of UC Chile for a full semester. Additionally, the event featured an innovation and social engagement panel, along with student support booths.

Group of international students attentively listening during an indoor orientation or welcome event, seated in rows with focused expressions. — International students arrive from 163 different universities across 34 countries. Photo Credit: Karina Fuenzalida.

With great excitement to begin a new experience in Chile, 428 students set foot in the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile for the first time. Authorities, student representatives, student groups, academics, and staff welcomed the students at the international welcome organized by the Global Mobility Office of the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (VRAI).

The students come from 34 different countries, including:

Germany,
Brazil,
Denmark,
Guatemala,
Hong Kong,
Japan,
Singapore,
France,
New Zealand,
Malaysia,
Canada,
Finland,
and others.

Among the types of mobility programs for students arriving at UC Chile are semester exchanges, internships, and special programs.

Former President of UC Chile, Ignacio Sánchez, along with the former Vice President for International Affairs, Lilian Ferrer, were responsible for opening the university's doors to the students and welcoming them with warm words, inviting the new international group to feel at home.

"You are ambassadors of your respective countries and universities, and we can learn a lot from your respective experiences and perspectives," said President Ignacio Sánchez, who wished them a significant experience at UC Chile, enabling them to fulfill their dreams.

He also emphasized that student mobility is very important in a world that increasingly requires "collaboration for understanding, the development of better societies," and to face various global challenges.

"You have made a decision that goes beyond mere physical displacement: you have embarked on a journey of transformation, innovation, and growth. Arriving in a new country, adapting to a new culture and a new educational system involves embracing new challenges and exploring the unknown. This is, in itself, an act of evolution and entrepreneurship," said the Vice President for International Affairs, Lilian Ferrer.

Following the authorities' welcome, the panel "Innovation and Social Engagement: Promoting Student Development" was held, with the aim of presenting opportunities within UC Chile to the students and inviting them to participate. The Director of Student Development, Loreto Campos, and the Director of Entrepreneurship of the Innovation Center, Alex Parnas, presented. The President of the UC Chile Student Federation, Jean Bertrand, moderated.

Couple performing a traditional Chilean dance with white handkerchiefs in a spacious courtyard surrounded by a crowd and a historic building with a glass ceiling. — The Almas UC Folkloric Ensemble closed the ceremony with a journey through Chilean dances, inviting those present to a tasting of typical Chilean food and a "cueca esquinazo" (a brief, lively performance of the national dance) in the central plaza of the Alameda UC Extension Center. Photo Credit: Karina Fuenzalida.

The students shared the excitement of their first day at UC Chile with their new classmates and Pangui (the university mascot), approaching the student support booths set up to provide information on how to participate in university groups and access benefits.

In the coming days, the support area of the Global Mobility Office will continue working with the academic units on the course registration of the new international students.