Viva Valparaíso: 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 💕