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!