It is the end of sophomore year, and everyone can’t help but be excited for the summer and next semester, whether it brings junior year on campus or abroad. I’ve already heard my peers making plans for September in Spain and Oktoberfest in Germany and while all of their plans sound amazing, it is hard for me to relate because I will be thousands of miles away, in South America. Each year, hundreds of UR students study abroad, but only a handful chose an unconventional experience such as a program in Asia, Africa or South America.
My program, PUC in Santiago, Chile, only has three students, including myself, who will attend for the spring semester. Although many have asked me if I will miss out on Oktoberfest or miss seeing my best friend (who will be in Edinburgh), the answer is yes. But also that I’ve always wanted something different. In my opinion, Europe is an easy place to travel. With cheap, fast transportation it is possible to travel to every large city and rarely be apart from your friends. But Chile is a unique place with a distinct culture and history, laid-back fashion and a range of geography and nature in one 4,300 km country. I wanted a host family who I could learn to live with and who would enable to me observe and come to understand what it is like to be a Chilean.
There are always Instagram accounts about girls who are constantly seeking ~wanderlust~ and traveling to every country in the world, but how does one experience the essence of a country, of a people in a 24-hour trip? There are benefits of studying abroad in Europe, such as the same modern conveniences, the ability to find an English speaker anywhere and the same standard of living as the United States. While Santiago is a modern city, you do have to work hard to communicate with the people in their language and traveling around is not only more expensive but also difficult and phone service can be spotty. As I will be arriving in the middle of the Chilean winter, it will be cold and most houses, even the nicest ones, do not have heat. Although by no means will I be “roughing it”, I will face challenging experiences that I would not face if I had chosen to stay in the U.S. or travel to Europe. While originally I found myself making this choice out of a desire for more independence and opportunities, I now know that what I will be seeking is more than just a beautiful trip to show my friends and social media. I will be looking for a piece of myself in the hearts of the Chilean people and way of life.