Valparaiso Mi Amor

In the famous words of Pablo Neruda I love this city and the entire country of Chile. Chile has so much to offer to the adventurous college student. I wish every day that I was back there living every minute as an adventure. Not a day went by when I didn’t learn hundreds of new things whether that was learning yet another new meaning for the word “raja” or seeing the birthplace of poet Gabriella Mistral.
There is adventure in every direction. In the host city of Valparaiso there at sweeping views of hills packed with brightly colored houses, full of life and culture. To the west is the expansive coastline of the pacific and the elusive Easter Island. To the east the gorgeous snow-capped Andes mountains that offer countless hikes and breathtaking ski trips. To the north the driest desert in the world where you feel so close to the sky that you can touch the stars. To the south is the legendary Patagonian region that speaks for itself as one of the wonders of the world.
I stayed with a host family that welcomed me with open arms. I still talk to my host mom on a regular basis. I lived with her and my Chilean grandmother; they quickly became more than just a temporary family. My Chilean mom used to dance and sing in folklore musical group that performed throughout central Chile. When independence week came around I was taught the traditional dance (the Cueca) and dressed in and old costume to perform the dance at celebrations with my family. My Chilean grandmother even knitted me a lunchbox of my favorite colors so that I could sport it in style on my commute to school every day. I miss them so much. I can’t wait to make it back to Chile so that I can give them a hug again. I made Chilean friends, I joined a Frisbee league and the accepted me into their teams and we all hung out every weekend.
The ISA staff is wonderful, they really do make the transition easy and offer support in all areas of concern. Would recommend. I am jealous of all students who apply for this program and get to go.