Winds of Change in Chile

Samantha McCauley is a student at Miami University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Samantha is currently studying abroad with ISA in Valparaíso, Chile.

View the bedroom window where we watched the first thunderstorm of the winter.

The other day I started to walk from the city of Valparaíso to my class in the neighboring town of Viña del Mar. It takes a little over an hour on the sidewalk that runs along the ocean, but it is a pleasant walk that I like to take every now and then. The other day, however, there was a strong wind coming in from the ocean and dark clouds off in the distance. I was only about halfway to Viña del Mar when the rain came.

My Turning Point in Chile

Molly Sorensen is a student at The College of New Jersey and an ISA Featured Blogger. Molly is currently studying abroad with ISA in Valparaíso, Chile.

“Nothing behind me, everything in front of me, as is ever so on the road,” – Jack Kerouac

Since writing last, my perception of Valpo has done a complete 180-degree turn.  Within the past two weeks, I have had some of my most trying moments, followed closely by some of my best. 

Reaching the Halfway Point of My Chilean Adventure

Jean Rust is a student at Wichita State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Jean is currently studying with Veritas Abroad in Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile.

This is where I go to school. Not too shabby.

It’s finals time. For everyone, it seems, except for all of us here in Chile. Everyone is talking about the end of the semester, summer plans and a break from the daily grind, but we just hit our mid-point.

The Ups and Downs of Chile

Samantha McCauley is a student at Miami University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Samantha is currently studying abroad with ISA in Valparaíso, Chile.

The last forty steps up to my house

I have been in Valparaíso, Chile for three weeks now, and I have spent the majority of that time climbing up and down all of the stairs throughout this city. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but being from Ohio I am used to relatively flat terrain, and for the next few months, while in Chile, I have to totally flip my mindset from horizontal to vertical.

Volunteering at an Animal Shelter in Valparaíso, Chile

Mary Johnson is a student at Southern Illinois University and is an ISA Classmates Connecting Cultures  blogger corresponding with a high school sociology class in Illinois. Mary is currently studying in Valparaiso, Chile on an ISA Spring 2 program.

My new friend, Sombrita

One of the first things you might notice upon arriving in Chile is the abundance of stray dogs. There are so many here that there is even a Chilean slang word for them—quiltro.

Guantanamera It And Keep On Going-My life in Valpo,Chile

Molly Sorensen is a student at The College of New Jersey and an ISA Featured Blogger. Molly is currently studying abroad with ISA in Valparaiso, Chile.

We are finally settled here in Valparaiso, Chile.  This fluttering port city is full of a way of life in which I may as well be “un bebe”.  We spent four smooth-sailing days in the capital Santiago, visiting some of the most historical places including one of the gorgeous houses of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.  It was still feeling like a vacation, and I knew that until we were settled and enrolled in school, it would remain unreal.

Streets of Valpo, chile

In the Chilean Kitchen with Mamá Nora: Pastel de Papas

Mary Johnson is a student at Southern Illinois University and is an ISA Classmates Connecting Cultures  blogger corresponding with a high school sociology class in Illinois. Mary is currently studying in Valparaiso, Chile on an ISA Spring 2 program.

My mamá chilena, Nora, is a spicy lady. She brings life and character to everything she touches. When situations are harsh or uncomfortable, she can crack a joke and make just about anyone laugh (even when you don’t understand the language).

Mamá Nora in the kitchen

The Limits of Preparing to Study Abroad for a semester in Chile!

Molly Sorensen is a student at The College of New Jersey and an ISA Featured Blogger. Molly is currently studying abroad with ISA in Valparaiso, Chile.

If you are reading this for departure/arrival advice, you’ve come to the wrong place!  I’m still here in small town Lawrenceville, New Jersey, but I do think I have something valuable to offer.  Right now i’m in a position that I think most go through before studying abroad or even making the final decision.  For the past couple of weeks, I have been stuck in a strange limbo before my adventure to Valparaiso, Chile.

 

CHILE: An Acrostic of What I Hope to Accomplish

Jean Rust is a student at Wichita State University and an ISA featured blogger. Jean is currently studying with Veritas Abroad in Valparaiso/Vina del Mar, Chile.

Piano Stairs in Valpo, Chile

Challenge my view of the world. Living in the Midwest is great, but sometimes I think staying in one place too long keeps you from understanding the amazing things this world has to offer (gorgeous views, intriguing people, and awesome adventures). One thing that I’ve heard time and again from people who spent a chunk of time abroad is that they come back changed. They had a shift in perspective and priorities. What mattered to them became precious to them as well.

What Does It Really Mean to Study Abroad?

Maggie Lowenberg is a student at the University of Colorado, Boulder and an ISA Featured Blogger. Maggie is currently studying abroad in Valparaiso, Chile on an ISA Fall 1 program.

I had the opportunity while in Copacabana, Bolivia to dance with some locals during a parade!

I wanted to dedicate this blog post not only plugging a special recommendation for people to study abroad in Chile but also, why studying in a foreign country can change your outlook on life.