First week in Chile ✔️

"And then I realized adventures are the best way to learn."

I am writing this update from a small cafe in downtown Viña del Mar that I stumbled upon while exploring (more lost than anything). I am sipping on a much-needed Chilean latte macchiato, after five days lacking strong American coffee. There are also hundreds of baked goods, cupcakes, and cookies. Those who know me at all know my irresistible sweet tooth and so, naturally, I asked the two workers what each of their favorites were and ordered one of each: a kludkoka (warm slice of chocolate cake topped with whipped cream) and an eclair. Let's just say I might have to make this cafe a weekly pit stop so I can try everything!

This week has been fairly laid back, which is exactly what I needed! After my travels last weekend, I was so exhausted that I slept most of Monday and into Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon, I went out to explore my new surroundings and figure out the metro and bus systems around this town of over 800,000 people (including Viña del Mar). On Wednesday, there was an orientation at the university for all the international students. There are 130 of us from all around the world: Germany, France, Spain, Colombia, Sweden, Italy, Poland...yet I am the only American 🇺🇸  The Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria (UTFSM) campus is enormous and beautiful! Coming from a girl used to Carroll College with it's 2 dorms and 3 academic buildings, UTFSM is like its own town within the campus; there are restaurants, banks, gyms and fields and pools, parks, and so much more. We start classes on Monday and I can not wait! There was a get-together last night for all the exchange students at disco in downtown Viña del Mar. Those of you who know what my sleeping schedule in Argentina was like, this was very similar! A few of us met up at around 10 downtown, we went to the disco around 12:30, and returned home around 4 💤. I know it seems wild, but it is very common for the young people here! Let's just say I slept in a bit today.

I already have a list of places I want to visit and things I want to do. And I have even started lists about places I love and must show my sister when she visits in November and my parents when they visit in December (included in the list is today's cafe 😏). Tomorrow, I have myself booked on an afternoon walking tour around Valparaíso. It'll be so much fun to delve into the culture, history, and politics of this beautiful country and city first-hand! I know some of my friends have been here to Valpo before, so if anyone has suggestions on places or activities, please let me know!

I know it does sound like I'm living the good life here in Chile and it really is the truth. But, that being said, I've had my fair share of homesickness and I know more is to come. It's hard to FaceTime my loving, yet aging, grandparents; to see my boyfriend and best friends hanging out without me; and to express myself in a language that at times seems to fail me. But, then again, this is exactly what I signed myself up for. I longed to step out of my comfort zone, to challenge myself academically, and to expand my horizons. And I'm doing just that: broadening my perspective of the world!

Hope all is well back in Montana and los Estados Unidos!
Love from Chile,
Kerri 💕

My host siblings: Cristobal and Florencia

My view 2 blocks from home 😍

Mom and Dad flying the Chilean flag at home!

The main building at UTFSM

Safe and Sound!

For all you who have been waiting on the edge of your seat to hear how my travels went, the wait is over! I'm here with my host family, running on an airplane night of sleep, some frozen yogurt in Houston, and some United coffee. Maybe I'll have to make a quick run down to the panaderia (bakery) about a block away 😍  Thanks to some ibuprofen for my back after hauling those bags around and some understanding bus drivers, the travels went fairly smooth on the planes, trains and automobiles (call me Steve Martin). Also, for any of you who know my past Subaru who I affectionately deemed "Perps", my host family has the same exact car; I think this match was meant to be! I added a picture of Florencia and Cristobal below because I just couldn't manage to show off my adorable host siblings. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers! Talk soon.

Exploring. Dreaming. Discovering.

"20 years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." 

-Mark Twain

I am sitting in seat 16D (unfortunately not seat 7A like Dierks) gazing out the window at this paradise I am lucky enough to call home. Even in late July, there are pockets of high-up snow hiding from this sauna-like weather we've had lately in MT. Although it would be fun to be where I was last summer backpacking in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, I have began a completely different journey today. As the famous quote goes, "Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors" (Pratchett). I'm headed to Houston, where I will anxiously wait for 3 hours before taking off on a 10 hour flight to Santiago, Chile. From there, I'll take a bus across town to the train station and then a train 2 hours north to Valparaíso. Keep in mind I'll be toting 125 pounds of luggage along the way. For those of you who know me very well, I'm sure you can guess who's more nervous about these next 48 hours: my parents or me 😉

Leaving today brings me back to where I was 4 years ago: 16 years old and on my way to study abroad in Córdoba, Argentina. People keep asking me whether it'll be easier since I've been through it all already and the answer is more complicated than I can explain. Yes, I know more of what to expect, more of how to live independently and travel internationally and just a tad more Spanish than when I obliviously boarded the plane to Argentina. But, on the same hand, I'm so much more cognizant of how real culture shock is and how hard it is to be 6,000 miles away from the most important people in my life. That being said, living in Argentina was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, which is why I was so passionate to study abroad again. I know that if this time around is anything like the last, it'll be one of the best times of my life.

Although I don't know much about what the next semester holds for me, I do know a few things about my life in Chile (or at least think I know)! I will be living with a host family, gracious enough to welcome this wanderlust American girl into their home. Living in the house are a mom and dad, Marianella and Claudio, a 5 year old girl, Florencia, and 4 year old boy, Cristobal. They live in Viña del Mar, which is basically a suburb of Valparaíso, about 10 minutes away from the university I'll be attending: Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María. It's literally right on the beach, as you can see in the picture below. The plan is to work this exchange right into my 4 year degree in Biochemistry and Spanish and so I'll be taking Ethics, Chilean History, Easter Island Culture, Biotechnology, and Biochemical Engineering...all in Spanish. Wish me luck and passing grades! 🙏🏽

I can't wait for what these next 6 months hold for me and to share all my crazy antics with all of you. I know that if you're reading this, then you have probably played a major role in supporting me, encouraging me, or maybe financing me 😉 So thank you to every one of you, because I wouldn't be on this journey otherwise. Keep in touch these next 6 months. ¡Hasta luego mis amigos!