ISEP Response to Earthquake in Chile

Important Message Regarding Chile Earthquake: 3-12-2010 UPDATE

On the morning of Thursday March 11, three aftershocks hit central Chile in quick succession. The epicenter was about 90 miles south of Valparaiso. The aftershocks were felt in Valparaiso, but the city sustained no damage. The Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso received no damage and has completely resumed normal working activity. All ISEP programs will take place as scheduled.

Important Message Regarding Chile Earthquake: 3-4-2010 UPDATE

ISEP has received verification that the region of Valparaiso, Chile, has returned to normalcy after the disaster. From correspondence with the Vice President for Development at the university, ISEP reports that the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso received no damage to its infrastructure and has completely resumed normal working activity as of March 3, 2010. The cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar (where ISEP students are housed) have all basic services – water, gas, electricity, and food supply. Further, the following are fully operational: telephone and internet communication; public transportation; all public services (banks, hospitals, pharmacies, etc.). Security on the street is normal. Most of the images seen on television and the internet are from the southern zones of Chile, which are closer to the epicenter of the earthquake.

The cities of Antofagasta and Coquimbo were minimally affected by the earthquake and are both functioning normally.

Important Message Regarding Chile Earthquake: 3-2-2010 UPDATE

• Santiago International Airport
  The international airport in Santiago is gradually reopening and plans to be fully operational by Friday March 5. International flights arriving before March 5 will land in another airport in Chile for passengers to pass through customs and immigration before continuing on to Santiago. International flights arriving after March 5 will be able to land in Santiago. Passengers will deboard the plane and pass through customs and immigration in a temporary terminal located on airport grounds. For the latest information, click here
• Student Arrival to Chile
• Students are advised to maintain their current travel dates unless your airlines change your flights. Please verify your arrival date and flight information with the appropriate people at your host institution if you have not yet done so. You MUST verify your Host Institution if your travel plans change.
• Contact at UCN-Antofagasta – Gabriela Saavedra
• Contact at PUC Valparaíso – Andrea Martinez
• Status of ISEP Programs in Chile
• All programs are scheduled to run.
  UCN-Antofagasta – Program will run as scheduled.
  PUC Valparaiso – Orientation will now run from Wednesday March 10 through Saturday March 13 (morning only)

Important Message Regarding Chile Earthquake: 3-1-2010

• In the aftermath of the earthquake in Chile, ISEP has confirmed the location (be it in the U.S. or home country, in Chile, or traveling in the region) of all 39 students scheduled to study in Chile for the SM2, 2009-10 semester.
• Status of programs in Chile:
  
  The ISEP program at Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) – Antofagasta plans to run according to schedule.
  
  The ISEP program at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) plans to run according to schedule. ISEP has been in contact with the International Office at PUCV which is open regular business hours (Mon-Thurs 8:30 am- 6:00 pm, Friday 8:30am-5:00pm). Please feel free to contact them directly (see below).
• Students who have not yet arrived at their host family - be sure to contact both ISEP and PUCV and inform them of your travel plans. If your original travel plans change for any reason, it is very important to contact both ISEP and PUCV.
  
  Contact at ISEP – Cooper Jumonville
  Contact at PUCV – Alina Morales (56-32-2273447) or Macarena Moya 56-32-2273222
  PIIE office main phone - 56-32-227-3252
• The international airport in Santiago remains closed to most flights on Monday March 1st. For updated information about the airport status please see this link. Please continue to check with your airline as they will have the latest information about the status of your flights.
• Students who are in Chile and en-route to Valparaiso – The road from Santiago to Valparaiso is passable and travel by bus should be possible. Please coordinate your arrival with Alina Morales.
• ISEP will be posting the latest information we find out on both the ISEP website and the ISEP Facebook page (under the Discussions tab – look for the “Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso 2009-2010” discussion). Students may get in touch with each other there.
• Reminder to students in the event of medical emergency:
  
  Worldwide MedEx Medical Assistance: Call toll free: +1-410-453-6330; Case Ref. #1450570
  
  ISEP Central After Hours Answering Service: +1-301-681-2388