Chile Study Trip

August 12 - 19, 2015

Surrounded by four great natural barriers,

Chiles borders thrive in superlatives: the largest
ocean, the worlds driest desert, the coldest
continent, and the tallest mountains in the
Western Hemisphere.
Unrivaled Natural Beauty
Chiles 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 Chiles 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 NASAs Mars Project.

Gateway to Latin American Business

Chiles friendly business atmosphere, stability, and safe environment have encouraged many large multinational companies to establish South American headquarters in the countrys capital of Santiago. Chile has one of the worlds most
open economies and holds the most bilateral trade agreements in the world, including strong agreements with Australia, the United States, China, Japan, and
the European Union.

Global Competitiveness
In 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
Chiles credit rating from A to A+, a level that only ten other countries in the world can
top.

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

Chile by
numbers:

26

bilateral trade
agreements, more
than anywhere else in
the world

4.6%
average annual
increase in GDP from
2002-2012

72.3

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

Sample Itinerary for UT at Dallas

Wednesday, 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 Chiles 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 worlds 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 industrys
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 Santiagos incredible restaurant and eclectic nightlife scene.

Sunday, Aug. 16: Take the day to relax and wander through the winding neighborhoods

$30.3 billion
inflow of foreign direct
investment in 2013

#22

on Forbes List Best

Countries For Business
For more information contact your
Trip Leader or Austral Group at
info@theaustralgroup.com

of Santiago, or sign up for an optional activity at a gorgeous mountain lodge in Chiles Cajon Del Maipo.
At the lodge indulge in the countrys 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 Santiagos
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 Chiles 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 Chiles 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 Chiles famous Casablanca Wine Valley. There you will
take part in a tour of one of Chiles extensive vineyards, an elite tasting session and a farewell lunch while
speaking with the vineyards marketing director about the international sales environment.
Heres 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.