Significance of Santiago

As a double major in Spanish and Communication, it became very obvious, very fast, that my fluency wasn’t going to come from taking Spanish classes at Loyola. I loved all my teachers and definitely improved my grammar and learned new vocabulary in class, but I just wasn’t practicing enough outside of class for me to get to a level of fluency.

             That, in combination with my enthusiasm for travel, made it an easy decision to study abroad. I researched all the programs that Loyola offered and set up meetings at the Office of International Programs for help. I knew I wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country and settled on Spain at first because I knew other people that were interested in going as well. All Spanish majors/minors are required to study abroad fall semester rather than in the spring so I felt comfort and excitement knowing that we'd all go together. Once I realized there was the possibility of studying abroad for a second semester as well, I became obsessed. I worked hard to make a plan with Jessica, the director of my programs, to continue my studies in Chile for the spring. 

My abroad group in Spain

           

In Spain, I was able to immerse myself in the culture slowly, with 19 other people in my program. It was more “comfortable” than just hopping on a plane and running off to a foreign country, for the first time, all by myself. While I was there, I was able to travel an incredible amount and experience much more than just Spanish culture. 

            In Chile, I will arrive more confident than I did in Spain (fingers crossed on that one). My Spanish speaking abilities are stronger now than they were when I first arrived in Spain. Although I will travel significantly less in South America than I did in Europe, that allows for me to become more immersed in Santiago and all that is has to offer. I'll get to know the city inside and out. Since there are only a few people in my program, I'm excited to make local friends, rather than just friends in my program, and I will continue to perfect my Spanish speaking abilities.

That's Emily!

           

The fact that my best friend studied in Santiago during her fall semester (she normally goes to George Washington University) and LOVED it so much that she immediately decided to extend her visa and stay for the spring as well was just an added bonus J

            At first, I really didn't have much reasoning for choosing Chile as my second program abroad. It was between that and Argentina and I simply liked the Chile program better. But then I realized that I didn't have to go to a Spanish speaking country for the second time around. There were lots of different options - Italy, France, Ghana. But once I started reading travel books and travel blogs, I realized how much Chile has to offer. On one side, the ocean and on the other side, the mountains! It has the desert in the North and the Arctic in the South. This one country has so much to offer within itself, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was (and am!) to have this opportunity. Lastly, I was incredibly drawn to how different it was from my first semester abroad. I loved Europe and can't wait to go back to visit but I am so thrilled to be able to have a completely different experience in Santiago!

From Spain to Santiago

            Words can’t describe how lucky I feel to have been able to study abroad in Europe last semester. I experienced an abundance of things that I had never experienced before and I’m forever grateful to the people that made all my new accomplishments possible. I left Europe with so many new memories and I still can't believe that I’m fortunate enough to get the opportunity to study abroad AGAIN this spring!

            During my fall semester, I studied in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, a small city about 30 minutes outside of Madrid. 

I lived in a homestay with one of my friends from Loyola and LOVED my experience with that. My host parents, Pepita and Miguel, were some of the sweetest, most caring people I have ever met. Plus they made great food (especially Pepita's vegetable soup)!

            Travel-wise, Europe is just so different from the U.S. – so much more efficient. Through trains or cheap intercontinental airlines, I was able to see 22 cities in 5 different countries in my short 116 days abroad. Every trip I took, not only within Spain, but also throughout the continent of Europe, was unique and special.  Although I loved each and every trip, I would have to say my favorite place that I traveled to was Cascais, Portugal.

If you’re ever in the area, you HAVE to go to Guincho Beach and take surfing lessons from Alex at Moana Surf School. For 25 euro each, my friends and I were able to have a private lesson with all equipment included and 2 professional surf instructors. The pictures were priceless! It was an experience I’ll never forget.

(Fun fact: in all my travels, Cascais, Portugal was the closest I ever was to home! Driving back from the beach, our cab driver informed us that we were at the westernmost point in all of continental Europe!)

            I’m really excited to see the differences between European Spanish life and South American Spanish life. I’ve been told Chilean Spanish is harder to understand, especially coming from a place with such a distinct accent and dialect such as Madrid. I’ve also heard the food is “less than impressive” (yikes) but I really don’t want to make any harsh judgments before arriving so I’ll keep those “insights” on the back burner for now. On a positive note, I’ve also heard that the people are amazing and that the weather (90 degrees in February!) and climate of Santiago is great! In Chile, you have the ability to go from one of the driest deserts in the world in the north to snowy penguins and a ferry ride to Antarctica in the south, in only a matter of hours! I can't wait to see what Santiago has in store for me.