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there are sea lions chillin on this thing.
I guess you can't really tell; take my word for it:) Now that I have time to write a little more about daily life, I want to use this blog entry to reflect on some things I have learned through my first couple months here.
First, one thing that has really surprised me about my time abroad so far is how easy it was to adjust compared to what I thought it would be. I was prepared for a long, arduous process of struggling not only with the language, but with the culture, the big city, and the multitude of other things which I was experiencing for the first time. While there have been and will, I am sure, continue to be some struggles, overall, they have not been nearly as difficult as I was expecting. For that, I am very grateful to friends and family here, both Chilean and other study abroaders, for their support. When I look back on other moments where I knew I would face great change in my life, I find similar experiences. I can remember being back in 4
th grade, dreading that my next year I would have to go to MIDDLE school. I remember worrying so much about it I gave myself a pretty
bad stomach ache. Then, my last summer after high school, counting down the days until I leave for college, counting down the days until my life is forever different. After my first year of college, realizing/making the decision that I would not be coming home for summer. Understanding that the most time I would spend at home in one big chunk would likely be Christmas vacation. All of these things were scary to me, and probably deservedly so. But, just like my experience abroad, looking back I realize that, though I was so scared leading up to them, once I was there, doing in, living it, it wasn’t nearly as scary. In fact, it gave me opportunities to learn and grow, and it was something I enjoyed. And that has been 100% what this trip has been for me.
Another growing point for me on this trip: confidence. Those who knew me when I was young know I was often incredibly shy. I would even refuse to order my own at a fast food restaurant. (I seem to have a vague memory of my mom telling me she would give me the money for the ice cream cone but
empanada!
I may have posted this before...not sure. no she would not order it, haha!). Well guess what? Now I am ordering fast food in a different language. My haven’t I grownJ Often, I find myself hesitant here to ask a question or be assertive due to the fact that I am not sure I can express what I want adequately. I have learned (and am definitely still learning) that it really just takes a small moment of courage. If I start a sentence…well I am probably going to finish it. And when I take these chances the result is often positive. I have encountered very few people who are intolerant of my Spanish, and many who are have been willing to help, and have been patient. What’s more, having the confidence to ask questions/ have conversations in another language has helped me reflect on how easy that is to do in my own. So, now, when I return to the U.S. and am in a situation which I may be unsure of, I can appreciate the fact that it is happening in English and I am understanding everything that is being said! In short, having to converse in Spanish has really increased my confidence in speaking it
Banana boat.
Obviously one of the coolest parks ever. and also will, I presume, give me more confidence when communicating in my first language.
One of the things that has surprised me about my time abroad is how “normal” it has often felt. I think there is a tendency to think of study abroad (at least there was for me) as an experience in which you are constantly doing crazy things, being put out of your comfort zone, and making huge changes as a person. While all those things have certainly been true, one of the things I have enjoyed most is having the chance to live like someone who was born and raised here does. I have had days (though I try not to have too many) where I just veg out the whole day! Ill sleep in late, have a long lunch with my family, and then just hang out. Of course, I would never want to spend the majority, or even close to the majority, like that, but every once in a while it is a wonderful thing. It has helped me to feel that I am truly living here.
Before studying abroad, I often heard things along the lines of “studying/living in another country will teach you things which you could never learn in a classroom.” I can this is 100% true. Walking around a local fruit market, the smells, the people talking, the fruit sellers advertising, will never compare to reading about it, or watching a movie on it. Being at a world cup qualifier soccer game, listening to the screams and chants, feeling your heartbeat accelerate with excitement, is something unique that can’t be reproduced without being there. Experiencing something firsthand makes it feel so much more a part of your life, of your world. I think these experiences add up, they change me slowly. My time here has not been about “WOAH MY LIFE IS FOREVER CHANGED” moments, as much as it has been about slow, gradual, coming to look at this place, these people, and the world in a different way. I think the best way to identify with someone or something is to experience it firsthand. And when you identify, you understand, and have compassion. This person or situation is no longer something I have heard/read/ listened about, but something I have experienced, someone I have talked to.
Well, those are my thoughts for now. I know I tend to ramble when I talk about some of this stuff, so I hope it makes at least a little sense! Hope everyone is doing well!
P.S. The accompanying photos really have nothing to do with what I wrote, they are just some random pictures I have taken around Viña and Valpo😊
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Marci Hitz
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And honey, you never did get that ice cream cone, b/c you wouldn't speak up! Glad you're over that now. :-)