Chile Study Trip

Unrivaled Natural BeautyChile’s unusual ribbon-like shape stretches for over 2,600 miles and hosts a variety of climates, from desert to temperate rainforest. To the East, the majestic Andes run the length of the country, providing not only beautiful vistas, but also some of the best adventure tourism in the world. Every year, over 2 million kayakers, climbers, and adventurers visit Chile’s southern Patagonia region and Antarctica. To the West, across the Pacific Ocean, lies Easter Island. And, to the North stretches the Atacama desert, the driest place in the world and home to NASA’s Mars Project.

Gateway to Latin American BusinessChile’s friendly business atmosphere, stability, and safe environment have encour-aged many large multinational companies to establish South American head-quarters in the country’s capital of Santiago. Chile has one of the world’s most open economies and holds the most bilateral trade agreements in the world, in-cluding strong agreements with Australia, the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union.

Global CompetitivenessIn the past decade, Chile has made huge strides towards becoming not only a leader in Latin America, but in the world. The country has more than doubled its per capita income over the last ten years and has managed to reduce national poverty levels to 13.7%, a lower percentage than the United States. In December 2007, S&P elevated Chile’s credit rating from A to A+, a level that only ten other countries in the world can top.

Thriving IndustryChile has an immense cache of natural resources, including copper, timber, fresh fruit, fish, and financial services. This, coupled with the country’s high level of human capital has allowed Chile to advance in the rankings to become Latin America’s shining star.

Surrounded by four great natural barriers, Chile’s borders thrive in superlatives: the largest ocean, the world’s driest desert, the coldest continent, and the tallest mountains in the Western Hemisphere.

August 12 - 19, 2015

Chile by numbers:

26

4.6%

72.3

$30.3 billion

bilateral trade agreements, more

than anywhere else in the world

average annual increase in GDP from

2002-2012

Freedom from Corruption score, as determined by the 2014 Index of

Economic Freedom

inflow of foreign direct investment in 2013

#22on Forbes List Best

Countries For Business

Here’s a snapshot of what your experience in Chile will look like; please meet with your trip leader to discuss the actual itinerary could vary in activities and meetings.

For more information contact your Trip Leader or Austral Group at

info@theaustralgroup.com

Sample Itinerary for UT at DallasWednesday, Aug. 12: After checking into the Atton el Bosque Hotel in Santiago, join the Austral Group team for a quick orientation to get to know the city followed by a welcome brunch. In the afternoon head downtown to meet with a local government official to discuss Chile’s economic climate and progress in trade and development.

Thursday, Aug. 13: Indulge in breakfast at the hotel before taking a short bus ride to one of the world’s largest automobile producers for a conversation about best practices and marketing strategy. Grab a quick lunch with friends before heading to meet with an expert in the agribusiness sector to learn about their export model and how they manage exchange rate fluctuations.

Friday, Aug. 14: After an early breakfast at the Atton hop on the bus to head outside of Santiago for a plant visit with a company in the meat and pork industry to discuss packaging, distribution and customer service. After lunch, on the way back into the city meet with one of the beverage industry’s largest companies to discuss their market presence in Chile and Latin America.

Saturday, Aug. 15: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before separating into groups for a “City Game” of Santiago. Participants will be given specific locations to visit throughout the city and objectives at each one, encouraging immersion into Chilean culture and teacm communication. Take the night off and experience Santiago’s incredible restaurant and eclectic nightlife scene.

Sunday, Aug. 16: Take the day to relax and wander through the winding neighborhoods of Santiago, or sign up for an optional activity at a gorgeous mountain lodge in Chile’s Cajon Del Maipo. At the lodge indulge in the country’s famous asado (barbeque). Choose between an afternoon of mountainside horseback riding or an Andes mountain trekking excursion.

Monday, Aug. 17: Eat a quick breakfast at the hotel before heading uptown to Santiago’s glamorous business district to meet with a market expert in the retail industry to discuss their strategies for entering the Chilean market. After grabbing lunch move just outside the city to learn about the renewable energy sector with an entrepreneur dedicated to the expansion of new energy sources throughout the country.

Tuesday, Aug. 18: After breakfast at the hotel, walk down the street to the office of one of Chile’s most profitable start ups and take the chance to pick the entrepreneurial brain of the CEO. Eat lunch on the cobblestoned street of Barrio Lastarria before leaving to meet with one of Chile’s largest mining companies to discuss industry innovations in the north of the country.

Wednesday, Aug. 19: In the morning take part in a University Seminar organized by your professors at UT at Dallas before heading to Chile’s famous Casablanca Wine Valley. There you will take part in a tour of one of Chile’s extensive vineyards, an elite tasting session and a farewell lunch while speaking with the vineyards marketing director about the international sales environment.