July 21: 4 weeks down

I guess the title is a bit misleading, four weeks down makes it seem like I’m counting down the days to leave, when in reality I can’t believe I only have 5 more months left. 4 weeks down seems to me like bragging rights for accomplishing living in a foreign country for this long. Honestly I don’t mean to toot my own horn but in 4 short weeks I’ve learned tremendous amounts about the Chilean people and their culture (although I’m just scratching the surface), I’ve only gotten lost on public transportation a handful of times (I mean would you expect less of me?), and have improved my Spanish skills tremendously. I can now with about 80% confidence hold a conversation with someone and I would say when I came here I was about 25% confident in my abilities. I’m ECSTATIC at the thought of how much more things are going to progress in my remaining 5 months here.

So this week has been hectic as ever! Everything has felt like sort of a transition point for the past 4 weeks, but things are finally starting to fall into place to be permanent for the rest of my time here. On Saturday I finished ILP, which was my Spanish class with the program and although it was bittersweet finishing, (no more “gringolandia” 4 hours a day/ 5 days a week and saying goodbye to an awesome teacher) I was pretty happy to be finished and to finally feel like they’re sending us off into the real world.

The rest of my weekend was spent preparing for the craziness that will come with real school.  I spent hours looking for classes to choose from, which I’ll be signing up for tomorrow. Also had to spend a little bit of time looking at different internships to do here, as we’re required by our program to do one. I think I’ll be working for a foundation that works with kids of ages 0-18 who don’t have families and live in a home. I’m not exactly sure of the details of the job yet and I’ll have an interview for it next week so here’s to hoping that works out! Aaaaand to put the cherry on top I found a house with students from all over that I’m going to move to for the rest of my time here. So many things accomplished in such a short time!

Today I spent the day at orientation for the University of Chile where we got to meet all of the other exchange students. It was pretty amazing meeting all these kids from all over the world, Germany, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Columbia, and different parts of the US. I’m so impressed by all of the students who have their native language, can speak English and on top of that are also learning Spanish just like me! We took a tour of one of the campuses, Juan Gomez Millas, which was a whole different experience. This campus is one that is very well known for their “paros” (student strikes) and has all sorts of art on every wall of every building. Many of the murals are political, some are inspired by works of famous poets, and many are just beautiful to look at. I think it’s pretty amazing to walk all over the campus and see the student voice displayed all over. There is such a strong sentiment of having your opinion heard at La Chile that it’s nothing short of inspiring.

So on top of all the excitement for the new semester (which starts on Monday) starting tomorrow I’m on vacation!! * insert happy dance here* I’m headed up north to Antofagasta to visit my old friend Kevin who was a student from Chile at my high school for a year and I’m very excited to catch up and see a different part of Chile. So 5ish days of vacation and then back to the real world for me!

So I’d like to just add to this post to mention the topic of a few conversations I had today, I was sitting next to my friend Angelica on the bus today on our way from orientation to the other campus and when I asked her how she was her response was simply “wow, just so many emotions.” When we talked a little bit more about it she expressed not only her nervousness for classes and excitement for all that is in store but also her gratitude for being able to be where she is today. It really made me take a step back and evaluate how where I am today came to be.  Again, later when I talked to my friend, Chloe, about the long and difficult process that was getting to study abroad, it threw in some perspective about all that has happened in the past few months. Just in December this whole trip was just a hope and dream, a future that I didn’t know would even be possible. Talking to my friends made me really process how much I was able to do to get here and how valuable the entire moral, financial and emotional support I have received is. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have some of the most generous, loving people in my life, from the rain jacket I wear almost every day that my grandparents bought for me just last year, to my mom calming my nerves every time I filled out yet another application incorrectly, to my grandma who has helped pay for my schooling and everyone who has even given the slightest bit of motivation along the way. I have so much to be grateful for today and every day and I know that I will not take any bit of this experience for granted.

Well that’s a little slice of my perspective from the southern hemisphere, miss all of you and I look forward to talking to friends and family each and every day.

Ciao! –Faith. ( even if my host-mom still insists on calling me Joyce)

**Sidenote: my internet has been really bad at home so even though I wrote this yesterday I wasn’t able to post it until today, therefore everything referred to as “tomorrow” is actually today (: and I'm happy to report that today went without a hitch!! **

Ok ONE MORE THING. I just think this world is such a funny place, because before sharing this on Facebook I went home for a little bit. After having the best day ever hence the "everything went without a hitch" part, I was able to get all the classes I want, get my chilean ID card, and pay for my new apartment that I will be living in and then..... I DROPPED MY CHILEAN PHONE IN THE TOILET. Of course I just laughed at how comical my life is (a perfect day doesn't exist), but I'm sure I'll figure out what to do and I know it could be much worse. Hope y'all are as entertained by my misfortune as I am. Peace.