Reentry @ MindSay 
Would you recommend to a friend that they should study abroad? Would you recommend Chile? Would you recommend your program?
All of the above. Study abroad is amazing, I loved Chile, and my program was very organized.
What was the number one reason you wanted to study abroad?
I wanted to find out what I was capable of.
Of the other people in your program studying abroad, what do you think is the number one reason they wanted to study abroad?
To improve their knowledge of the global situation (most were International Studies majors) and experience a different culture.
Do you feel you have a new appreciation for other cultures?
I now know that there is no one “right” way of doing things; each country has valuable unique practices, customs, traditions, etc.
Do you feel you have a new appreciation for America?
Yes. We have SO MUCH here. Hearing people complain about driving a 2-year-old car or having to repair their jet ski again reminds me of how much we take for granted.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who was going to study abroad, what would it be?
Experience constantly. Even when frustrated and tempted to shut out the outside world, go to a park and watch people, sit outside in the sunshine, make cookies with your host family. Never stop soaking up your life abroad, because it goes by so fast.
What was your favorite class/who was your favorite professor? Why?
I really enjoyed my "Picaresque Spanish Novel" class; the professor was insanely difficult, the work was much too hard, and the material was completely worthwhile. Tapping his marker impatiently against his podium the first day, Dr. Miguel Donoso announced that this class was NOT for foreign students, and that they would probably fail miserably. He invited us to leave. The four exchange students (one from England, three others from the States) squirmed in our seats. Yet I decided to stick it out. Our first assignment, a 900-page book written in practically incomprehensible Old Spanish, sent us scrambling for English translations on the Internet. However, when none were found, I had to grit my teeth and struggle through the book. The feeling of satisfaction when I passed that test was amazing.
Though Dr. Donoso ignored us at first, brushing off our attempts to be friendly and shaking his head when we tried to answer questions in class, I think he eventually began to respect us for our persistence. “Your Spanish has improved greatly throughout the course of the semester,” read an email he sent me last week. “I have enjoyed having you as a student.”
How would you compare classes abroad to those at home?
They were much more difficult for me because they were in Spanish, however, content-wise, the content was easier than in my classes at St. Norbert. In my theology class, for example, we were only expected to take two tests throughout the course of the semester, and occasionally watched movies instead of having class. Of course, all the of the classes were still worthwhile, but (considering Universidad Catolica is referred to as the “Harvard of Chile) I think US classes are comparatively more difficult.
What did you miss most about America?
As much as I enjoyed improving my Spanish, I missed the ease of communication. Finding my way around a new city and university sometimes posed problems, and building new relationships requires effort, but I enjoy a challenge and rarely got tired of navigating or meeting new people. However, I did get tired of trying to think of just the right words to tell my host mom about the hostal we had stayed in, or to describe a character's actions on a literature test, etc. etc. There was never really a break. Even when in a stressful situation, I could not resort to English; I had to cope in Spanish.
Do you feel like a different person now? Do you think studying abroad has changed you in any permanent ways?
I am probably more globally aware and less blinded by the US mentality that we are the best and (due to economic and technological inferiority) other countries are less important, etc. I feel that I can now truly appreciate what we enjoy here after observing the conditions in various South American countries. We take so much for granted. I also now know that I can do much more than I thought I could. Braving Class IV rapids, leaving everything I’d ever known, eating guinea pig, looking incompetent and looking to others for guidance, surviving mugging and robbery, navigating in five South American countries, taking normal university classes completely in another language…I never imagined what I could accomplish in five months. I feel empowered now; I can definitely do more than I thought I could.
Do you ever think you’ll become entirely adjusted to life back in America? Do you even want to be?
If being “adjusted” means once again taking our lavish lifestyle for granted and feeling superior to all other nations, I do not want to adjust. However, I am still hoping to integrate to the point where I once again feel useful and truly connected to people here. (Maybe when school starts... :) )
Knowing what you know now, would you have studied abroad? Would you have chosen Chile?
Definitely. Yes and yes. As much as I still want to see Europe and Australia (along with all of the other "typical study abroad destinations") there will be time for that. I feel this was a rare opportunity to see South America. (While I would not hesitate to return to Chile now, I previously shared the US mentality that South America is "dangerous" and thus would have been hesitant to go there "blind," - without the security of a study abroad program.) Also, while several of my fellow English majors chose to spend time in Great Britain, I have been practicing my English for 20 years now and felt it was time for a change.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you change and why?
I would have asked for a family with children; this would have greatly contributed to the “family environment” in the home. My family at home is always going places and spending time together (my neighbor refers to us as “The Brady Bunch”) and I really missed this in Chile. Friends who lived with host families with small children were able to enjoy more of these family activities.
How did it feel packing your bags for what would be the last time this semester?
Although I had packed my bags countless times throughout the semester (in preparation for various trips,) that last time was different. As I placed (ok, so it was more like jammed) each souvenir, postcard, or new photograph into my suitcase I thought of when, where, and with whom it had been obtained. While I was excited to come home and see my family and friends again, it was a very sad feeling knowing that I may not be able to return to Chile for a long time.
What were you thinking on the plane ride back to America?
I felt like I was switching lives; it was time to leave one set of family and friends, one home, one university, one neighborhood, one city, one country, one continent, one reality behind and adopting another. Honestly, I felt a bit apprehensive. Would I feel disgusted with the rampant materialism of the US? Distant from my family? I have never been so scared to go home.
What was it like seeing your family and friends for the first time?
My parents and little sister (who looked much taller than I remembered) picked me up at the airport. Thus began the never-ending process of summarizing an indescribable semester in entertaining 60 second anecdotes for the entertainment of family and friends. I can tell that I have changed, (though my mom insists, relieved, that I am “just the same,”) though it is hard to say how.
Does your relationship with them feel different?
I think (although the blogs and phone calls helped) that there is no way they can understand exactly what I have gone through. Since they have never seen the country, met the family, or spoken the language, it is hard to find common ground with anyone when reminiscing about Chile. Other than this, I think that I have become accustomed to absolute freedom (ie “Buenos Aires for the weekend, anyone?”) and thus am finding it difficult to adjust to the routine and structure of everyday life at home.
What do you miss most about Santiago? Chile? South America? Why?
I miss my friends! I had an amazing support system in Chile, composed of other students in my program, their families, friends from the university, friends from my neighborhood, professors, my host mom, etc. I somehow felt that I could relate to them on a deeper level. They were, (although this sounds terrible,) a “different kind of people.” Their interest in foreign affairs, enthusiasm for new experiences, and desire to travel matched my own. Here, everyone seems so wrapped up in the mundane.
What did you like best about Santiago? Chile? South America? Why?
I loved being able to communicate in two languages (though it was frustrating at times.) I also relished the feeling that I was “doing something important” everyday. Even while taking the metro, writing a research paper, or getting coffee with friends I tried to remember to appreciate and enjoy every second since I was living a life few are able to experience.
4am. Bitter cold. 19 cummulative layers of clothing. My two friends and I boarded the "Geyser Tour" van anxious to catch a glimpse of dramatic eruptions in the rising sun. However, we arrived at the world's highest geothermic field with hours to spare, prompting a few of our fellow tourists to disregard our guide's warnings and attempt to navigate around the geysers in the dark.
Fortunately, it was soon light enough to see, and we were able to get a closer look at the geysers and more colorful "mud geysers." After observing the carefully constructed walkways and countless signs surrounding the geysers at Yellowstone National Park, I was surprised when the guide invited us to stroll freely in the field, and even more surprised to see people walking near, peering into, and even reclining against some of the geysers. One guide, anxious to serve hot instant coffee to his group, had tossed a box of milk into one of the geysers and was impatiently waiting for it to heat. Over breakfast, our guide congratulated us on our success in navigating the field, and concluded with a few stories of those who had not been so lucky. I felt as though we had passed some sort of test, earning the privilege of exploring The Cactus Forest, our next destination.
Shedding layers, we continued through the desert, reaching the cactus forest a few hours after sunrise. What we initially assumed was a scenic overlook turned out to be a three hour hike, winding us through canyons, next to 15 foot cacti, and past a waterfall.
Mesmerized by the breathtaking views and satisfied with our choice of tours, no one realized the bus tickets were disappearing: by the time we returned to San Pedro, all buses to Santiago and San Pedro (our two final destinations) were booked. Naturally, all of the hostals were full; when I inquired about a room at one of the more expensive options, the receptionist took one look at my dusty sweatshirt and dirty jeans and announced (in perfect English) "This hotel is expensive." Elated to discover a hostal with vacancies, we tossed our luggage in the room and collapsed on the beds, no questions asked. A few minutes later, we discovered that the hostal had neither water nor electricity. All was "being renovated."
One 22 hour bus ride later, we found ourselves back in Santiago. After one last brunch with friends, one last "night on the town" (dinner atop a classy revolving restaurant,) one last micro ride, and one last wave at "my friends the constuction workers," I boarded the plane for Atlanta. Wednesday, July 13th, I touched down at O'hare, 148 days after departure.
In the days since then, I've re-entered US culture. I've grown accustomed to using only English words (rather than the awful Spanglish spoken by "the gringos of Chile,") rediscovered the joys of cranberry juice, driving, peanut butter and jelly, drinking fountains and the consistent presence of tp and soap in public restrooms. I have been able to see (for the first time) the true wealth of the States and how much is taken for granted. I truly appreciate the open fields and cleaner air (not to mention the weather; everyone here is surprised to learn that it's winter in South America.)
Along with the excitement of the initial "tourist phase" of re-entry, I am beginning to miss aspects of my life in Chile. I miss empanadas and Chilean chocolate, I miss my doting host mom, who would not even let me stir my own coffee, I miss my friends. But at the same time, it's so hard to believe it's over; as one of my friends said, it feels as though I could wake up in Chile any minute.