Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Magellan exchange take place?

The exchange dates have not been fixed yet, but are very likely to be the following: we are aiming for the Peruvian part to take place in the week around April 5 which would mean that we are in Peru during the last week of break and over Easter. The Swiss part will probably start around July 16 (straight after the exam period of our partner university). In St. Gallen the exam period ends in the beginning or middle of July for most people so you might have a few days free between the exams and the Swiss part of the exchange.

Do I have enough time to participate in the Magellan program if I am in Assessment year?

Yes, you do. Of course, it is important to note that the Wissenschaftliche Hausarbeit and some group assignments in BWL are due by mid-April. Therefore, you need to plan ahead and finish your work before we take off. However, if you get organized well in advance there is no problem whatsoever in participating in the exchange. Last year all participants in assessment year passed their exams very successfully and did not regret joining Magellan.

What requirements must I meet to participate in the Magellan exchange?

There are no formal requirements for participating in the Magellan project except for being a student at the University of St. Gallen (or at our partner university in Peru). Students of all semesters and degrees are invited to apply. Obviously, you should be open-minded, keen to experience the Latin American culture and not afraid of meeting new people. Spanish language skills are not required – the whole program will be conducted in English. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, the selection will be based on your CV, your letter of motivation (included in the application form), and an interview. We are looking for applicants who show interest in the Latin American culture, who are inquisitive, who can integrate themselves into a new forming group and who are able to adapt to new environments easily.

What does participation in the exchange program cost?

Although the Magellan project is generously supported by various partners we have to charge a fee of about CHF 1400 per participant. This price includes the flights to Peru (and back) as well as food, accommodation and a varied cultural program for 10 days in Peru and for 10 days in Switzerland (it´s a good deal!)

Which places and cities are we going to visit during the exchange?

The ten-day program in Peru will be entirely organized by the students of the Universidad del Pacífico in Lima, which is why we cannot give you detailed information about it yet. Most of the program is probably going to take place in Lima and surroundings. However, the Swiss participants usually travel around in the host country for a further seven to ten days after the obligatory 10-day program, extending the stay to up to 20 days in total. This means that you will have plenty of opportunity to visit other places you would like to see such as the Machu Picchu, the Titicaca Lake, the Nasca Lines or the Colca Canyon. Travelling around after the program is a private option and hence not included in the price, though it is possible to book the (included) return flight at the end of this period (in addition, from a Swiss perspective exchange rates are looking good at the moment!). The Swiss program will consist of one or two days in St. Gallen followed by a bus trip through different parts of Switzerland. Last year, destinations included Geneva, Lausanne, Gruyère, Bern, Luzern and Zurich. Although this year´s route is not fixed yet it will probably look similar.

What kind of events and activities should I expect during the exchange?

The Magellan project aims to give students an insight into the cultural, economic, political and social setting of both countries. Therefore, it includes a wide range of activities such as lectures, workshops, sightseeing, city tours and other cultural events. Last year, for example, the Swiss program included a tour through the UN building in Geneva, an expedition to the FIFA, a visit at Pictet, tasting chocolate at the Cailler factory and eating cheese fondue in Gruyère.