The End--Jordan Miller

Waking up on Friday, my last full day in Chile and my last day at school, was bittersweet in the most amazing way possible. I made sure to breathe deeply on my walk to school so I didn’t miss a single scent. I only looked forward, at the quickly rising run, and tried to only think of the best times I’d had in Chile. While I knew deep down I was ecstatic to go home and pet my own dog, climb into my own bed and speak my own language, I also knew the twinge of sadness I felt shouldn’t be ignored.

My last week in Chile was packed with what felt like nine million events. I visited thermals baths and a local market in Chillan. Wearing shower caps in the thermal baths was incredibly humiliating and hilarious, but ending that same day with good friends who were just as excited to find churros as I was made the hideous shower cap pictures and the sulfuric rotten egg smell worth it.

I also visited a local coastal town, Tumbes, twice and got to try the most amazing dish. They called it a crab cake, but it was more like a cheese dip loaded with massive amounts of crab. It was a rich dish that made me miss my own hometown filled with great seafood. The boats are so colorful in Tumbes and the town gets very quiet if the sun isn’t brightly shining upon it.

Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to the wonderful, friendly, patient people I’d met along in the way in Chile. As an LSU group we had multiple dinners and parties to festively say goodbye and reminisce on the three weeks we had all spent together. I’ll miss my wonderful, stylish teacher Fabi, my amazing host mom who bakes the most delightful and beautiful desserts, and all the other LSU participants who shared my love and excitement for new foods in a wonderful new country.

Choa Chile ~ Maddie

Leaving Concepcion was a lot harder than I expected it to be. This last week went by obnoxiously fast, I still can not believe I am on my flight back to the states. This week has been by far my most favorite week of the trip. 

The week started with regular school days, being back in the classrooms was so much fun. I love spending time with the students. The most memorable moment in the classrooms this week was teaching my history lesson on Taxation without Represwntation, and the American Revolution. Although it was a challenge teaching a lesson in another language, I learned a lot about myself in the process and grew as a teacher. The hardest goodbye were the goodbyes from all the students. They attacked me with hugs and kisses, they practically wouldn’t let me leave on Friday. It tore me up, I will miss them tremendously. 

This week has been filled with a million goodbyes. We had many farewell celebrations, I feel through those celebrations every relationship I made throughout the trip strengthened tremendously. Wednesday night we had a dinner with the faculty at a restaurant near school. The food was great, but the company was even better. We had a blast. That night, the thought of leaving Chile began to make my heart sink. What do you mean I have to leave, I just became best friends with all of these people.. Although there were still two days left, it never felt like I actually had to leave. Thursday night we had a barbecue with the faculty which was also a great time. That night it finally hit me that I was actually leaving all the amazing peopl I had met in Chile in just one short day. It is amazing how close you can get to someone in three short weeks. I will forever cherish the friendships and memories I have obtained throughout this experience.

 

Teaching in Chile has taught me more about teaching than I could have ever learned in a classroom or lecture. I can not put into words how grateful I am for this experience. Chao Chile! 

Xoxo,

Maddie 

ch fun. I love spending time with the students. The most 

This week has been filled with a million goodbyes. We had many farewell celebrations, I feel through those celebrations every relationship I made throughout the trip strengthened tremendously. Wednesday night we had a dinner with the faculty at a restaurant near school. The food was great, but the company was even better. We had a blast. That night, the thought of leaving Chile began to make my heart sink. What do you mean I have to leave, I just became best friends with all of these people.. Although there were still two days left, it never felt like I actually had to leave. Thursday night we had a barbecue with the faculty which was also a great time. That night it finally hit me that I was actually leaving all the amazing peopl I had met in Chile in just one short day. It is amazing how close you can get to someone in three short weeks. I will forever cherish the friendships and memories I have obtained throughout this experience.

 

Teaching in Chile has taught me more about teaching than I could have ever learned in a classroom or lecture. I can not put into words how grateful I am for this experience. Chao Chile! 

Xoxo,

Maddie 

Spanish: 

Salir de Concepción fue mucho más difícil de lo que esperaba. Esta última semana fue desagradablemente rápida, todavía no puedo creer que estoy en mi vuelo de regreso a los Estados Unidos. Esta semana ha sido, con mucho, mi semana favorita del viaje.

La semana comenzó con días escolares regulares, estar de vuelta en las aulas fue muy divertido. Me encanta pasar tiempo con los estudiantes. El momento más memorable en las aulas esta semana fue la enseñanza de mi lección de historia sobre impuestos sin represalias y la revolución estadounidense. Aunque fue un desafío enseñar una lección en otro idioma, aprendí mucho sobre mí en el proceso y crecí como profesor. El adiós más duro fueron las despedidas de todos los estudiantes. Me atacaron con abrazos y besos, prácticamente no me dejaron partir el viernes. Me rompió, los extrañaré tremendamente.

Esta semana se ha llenado con un millón de despedidas. Tuvimos muchas celebraciones de despedida, siento a través de esas celebraciones que cada relación que hice durante el viaje se fortaleció enormemente. El miércoles por la noche cenamos con la facultad en un restaurante cerca de la escuela. La comida fue excelente, pero la compañía fue incluso mejor. Nos lo pasamos de maravilla. Esa noche, la idea de irme de Chile comenzó a hacer que mi corazón se hundiera. ¿Qué quiere decir que tengo que irme, acabo de convertirme en el mejor amigo de todas estas personas ... Aunque todavía quedaban dos días, nunca me sentí como si realmente tuviera que irme. El jueves por la noche tuvimos una barbacoa con la facultad, que también fue un gran momento. Esa noche finalmente me di cuenta de que en realidad estaba dejando a toda la gente increíble que había conocido en Chile en solo un corto día. Es increíble lo cerca que puede llegar a alguien en tres cortas semanas. Siempre apreciaré las amistades y recuerdos que he obtenido a lo largo de esta experiencia.

La enseñanza en Chile me ha enseñado más sobre la enseñanza de lo que podría haber aprendido en un aula o conferencia. No puedo expresar con palabras cuán agradecido estoy por esta experiencia. Chao Chile!

Xoxo,

Maddie

Adiós Chile! - Alyssa

Time really flies by when you are having fun. I am sad to be leaving Chile after only three weeks that has been an AMAZING experience! This last week was full of non-stop fun. 

In my last week in Chile was full of activities and had also an unique experience of having another wonderful 2^ndfamily. There I was introduced to several delicious home cooked Chilean meals. My favorite had to be Pastel de choclos which is translated as corn cake. It basically is a chicken pot pie but covered with sweet corn and instead of chicken my host mom replaces the chicken leg for a cooked egg. 

 

One of my favorite days would have to be our field trip to the Andes baths and the Thermal Baths. It was an enjoyable day being able to spend time with the whole LSU group. We had a blast! At the baths they had made us wear these awful looking caps but it was really entertaining to see everyone look either like synchronized swimmers or like a cone head in my case. We had tons of fun surrounded by great people and breathtaking views.

 

We were also able to go to the beach on Wednesday with the whole LSU group. We went to Biobio, they are known for their empanadas, however we were unable to try them, as our visit took place early before restaurants were open.  However, we were blessed enough to embark on some of the beautiful picturesque scenery. We all had the opportunity to go off and explore the area and enjoy the views which is basically when we take advantage of having a mini photo shoot. 

The last week was a week full of saying numerous goodbye’s and late nights. We had a nice dinner at Al Quincho with the teachers to say thank you for their time and being so welcoming to their country and school.  Our finished painting was presented to the principle of the school, that would be hung at the school as a memory of our time with them. Leslie, Brendan and I were “oh so proud” of our “masterpiece”.  Wednesday was the school’s 6^thannual English song festival, which was “amazing” to experience such talented students from different schools in Chile.  The next evening would end with a BBQ night at the school with all the participating teachers. The night was filled with wonderful food, singing and fun. This was also my opportunity to say my final goodbyes to the teachers, and the rest of the LSU group, as I would be leaving to head home to Louisiana on Friday. 

I am incredibly grateful to be able to have had an opportunity to study and Chile did not disappoint. Along with consuming loads amount of bread, I have met an insane amount of incredible people and hope to see them all again. I came to Chile not knowing anyone and am leaving the country with new friends, that I couldn’t have asked for a better group to have gone on this trip with. 

Espanol:

El tiempo realmente pasa volando cuando te estás divirtiendo. ¡Estoy triste de salir de Chile después de solo tres semanas que ha sido una experiencia INCREÍBLE! Esta última semana estuvo llena de diversión sin parar.

En mi última semana en Chile estaba lleno de actividades y también tuve una experiencia única de tener otra maravillosa segunda familia. Allí me presentaron varias deliciosas comidas chilenas caseras. Mi favorito tenía que ser Pastel de choclos, que se traduce como pastel de maíz. Básicamente es un pastel de pollo pero cubierto con maíz dulce y en lugar de pollo, mi madre anfitriona reemplaza la pata de pollo por un huevo cocido.

Uno de mis días favoritos debería ser nuestro viaje de campo a los baños andinos y a los baños termales. Fue un día agradable poder pasar tiempo con todo el grupo de LSU. ¡Nos lo pasamos de maravilla! En los baños nos habían hecho usar estas gorras de aspecto horrible, pero fue muy entretenido ver a todos mirar como nadadores equinoccios o como una cabeza cónica en mi caso. Nos divertimos mucho rodeado de gente fantástica y vistas impresionantes.

También pudimos ir a la playa el miércoles con todo el grupo de LSU. Fuimos a Biobio, son conocidos por sus empanadas, sin embargo no pudimos probarlos, ya que nuestra visita se realizó temprano antes de que los restaurantes estuvieran abiertos. Sin embargo, tuvimos la bendición de embarcarnos en algunos de los hermosos paisajes pintorescos. Todos tuvimos la oportunidad de salir y explorar la zona y disfrutar de las vistas, que es básicamente cuando aprovechamos para tener una mini sesión de fotos.

La semana pasada fue una semana llena de decir numerosas despedidas y noches de retraso. Tuvimos una agradable cena en Al Quincho con los maestros para agradecerles por su tiempo y por ser tan acogedores con su país y la escuela. Nuestra pintura acabada se presentó según el principio de la escuela, que se colgaría en la escuela como un recuerdo de nuestro tiempo con ellos. Leslie, Brendan y yo estábamos "muy orgullosos" de nuestra "obra maestra". El miércoles fue el festival de la canción en inglés de 6 estrellas de la escuela, que fue "increíble" para la experiencia de estudiantes tan talentosos de diferentes escuelas en Chile. La noche siguiente terminaría con una noche de barbacoa en la escuela con todos los maestros participantes. La noche estuvo llena de comida maravillosa, canto y diversión. Esta fue también mi oportunidad para despedirme definitivamente de los maestros y del resto del grupo de LSU, ya que me iría a casa a Louisiana el viernes.

Estoy increíblemente agradecido de poder haber tenido la oportunidad de estudiar y Chile no me decepcionó. Además de consumir mucha cantidad de pan, conocí a una increíble cantidad de personas increíbles y espero volver a verlas. Vine a Chile sin conocer a nadie y estoy saliendo del país con nuevos amigos, que no podría haber pedido un mejor grupo para haber hecho este viaje. 

My last week in Chile has been awesome! This Friday I educated my 5th grade art class about ocean pollution. I told them how plastics are killing many forms of marine life. I explained to them how sea turtles are dying because they see plastic bags and mistake them as food (jellyfish). The kids seemed very interested in this topic and I had them bring in trash to make artwork. The students had great ideas and I can't wait to see how their artwork turns out!

We also had a very nice dinner at El Quincho with our teachers. I've had a great time working with my teachers and I'm glad I got to teach lessons in both my classes. This week I finished grading my coral reef worksheet after I showed my 9th grade biology class Chasing Coral. I'm glad I could share what I care about and hopefully inspire some students to care about environmental issues!

I can't believe my trip in Chile has come to an end. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to experience Chilean culture and I plan on coming back some day! I am very thankful for how awesome my host was and I am going to miss them very much!

Chao Chao Chile - Kathleen

This week was filled with adventures, laughter, foods, hugs, and "See you soon"!

Saltos de Laja

My family brought me to a waterfall in Los Angeles, Chile called Saltos de Laja. The mom is so courageous and convinced me to get even closer to the waterfall. I was actually really nervous because it was super slippery and there were signs that said "Be careful. Dangerous." everywhere, but I'm glad I took that risk for a better view. 

Mi familia me trajo a una cascada en Los Ángeles, Chile llamada Saltos de Laja. La madre es muy valiente y me convenció para acercarme aún más a la cascada. En realidad, estaba muy nervioso porque era muy resbaladizo y había carteles que decían "Ten 

cuidado, peligroso". en todas partes, pero me alegro de haber corrido ese riesgo para tener una mejor vista.

Biobío

We also went on a field trip to the beach at Biobío with the LSU group! We were greeted by tons of stray dogs right when we got there. Some of us were a little scared of them (me, since I got attacked by one at the university campus) while some where giving them so much love and attention. The water was extremely cold so we decided to just take pictures by it. 

También hicimos una excursión a la playa de Biobío con el grupo LSU! Fuimos recibidos por toneladas de perros callejeros justo cuando llegamos allí. Algunos de nosotros estábamos un poco asustados de ellos (yo, desde que fui atacado por uno en el campus de la universidad) mientras que otros les dieron tanto amor y atención. El agua estaba extremadamente fría, así que decidimos simplemente tomar fotos.

Colegio Concepcion Huertos

Alyssa and I got surprised by the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and guidance counselors with a farewell party! We had no idea that they planned it, we were literally speechless! They have typical Chilean finger food, one of which were empanadas which I am obsessed with. It was the sweetest gesture and I am forever grateful to have had the chance to work with such amazing people. 

¡Alyssa y yo fuimos sorprendidos por el prejardín de infantes, el jardín de infantes y consejeros de orientación con una fiesta de despedida! No teníamos idea de que lo planearon, ¡estábamos literalmente sin palabras! Tienen finger food típico chileno, uno de los cuales eran empanadas con las que estoy obsesionado. Fue el gesto más dulce y estoy eternamente agradecido por haber tenido la oportunidad de trabajar con gente tan increíble.

Muy rico

Last, but not least, another Chilean dish that was mouth watering that I would definitely eat again if I had the chance. I'm so happy that I had a family that understood how much I love food and am willing to try anything. The dad was nice enough to order first so that I can try the soup in case I didn't like it, but once I took a sip, I was ready for my own bowl. The soup was a combination of a variety of seafood. Muy rico!

Por último, pero no menos importante, otro plato chileno que me hizo la boca agua, definitivamente volvería a comer si tuviera la oportunidad. Estoy tan feliz de tener una familia que entendió cuánto me gusta la comida y estoy dispuesta a probar cualquier cosa. El padre fue lo suficientemente amable como para pedir primero para poder probar la sopa en caso de que no me gustara, pero una vez que tomé un sorbo, estaba listo para mi propio plato. La sopa era una combinación de una variedad de mariscos. Muy rico!

Last week in Chile - Denise

Me enamoré de Chile. Realizamos una ida super rápida a la playa cerca de Talcahuano y comimos empanadas con mariscos y otras delicias en un pueblito llamado Tumbes. También plantamos árboles en la laguna detrás del colegio con alumnos de la escuela. 

 Esta semana fue la semana de despedida y tuvimos varias fiestas a las que asistir. Estuvimos con los profesores duplas y les obsequiamos unas tazas de nuestras fotos con ellos. Ambos eventos estuvieron divertidos y nos tomamos fotos con los bailarines de la danza pascuense. Asistimos al festival de la canción donde nos deleitaron con una serie de bailes típicos chilenos. 

Mi familia se pasó esta semana. Recibí obsequios de ellos y lloré en muchas ocasiones. La abuelita me invito a comer once en su casa un día antes de mi partida. Toda la familia se reunió, hubo torta de despedida y muchas fotos. Mi última noche salimos a comer a un restaurante y la pase super bien. 

Los niños de mi salón, el 1C, me hicieron una carta super grande con fotos de nosotros y dibujos de ellos. Me desearon un buen viaje y constantemente me pedían que regresara. No pensé que Concepción me fuera a gustar tanto como lo hizo. Estas 3 semanas pasaron super rápido y es una lástima. Estoy segura de que si regreso visitare a mi familia chilena y recorreré el sur.

 I fell in love with Chile. We had a quick trip to a beach near Talcahuano and we ate shrimp empanadas in Tumbes, a little fishing town. We also planted trees in the lagoon behind the school with a couple of students.
This week was the saying-goodbye week and we had a couple of parties. We share a dinner with our teachers and gave them mugs as a present. Both events were fun and we took pictures with the dancers of the pasquense dance. The music song festival was fun to watch since it was full with Chilean folklore music.
This week I received presents from my host family. The grandma invited me to have once at her house. The whole family got together for it and we had cake. My last night we went out for dinner at the casino and had a great time.
My kids of 1st grade C gave me a letter with pictures of us and drawings made by them. They wished me a good trip and asked me to come back for them. I didnt think I would like Conce as much as I did. These 3 weeks went too fast and it's a shame. I'm sure that if I come back I'll visit my Chilean family and travel the southern part of it.

Week 3 in Chile! -Hollyn

We had a very eventful final week in Chile! On Friday, the LSU group drove up to the Andes mountains and swam in thermal baths there. The sulfur smell was a little strong at first, but the water felt amazing and the views were gorgeous! We then got to eat lunch together and explore a marketplace (where we also found some delicious churros).

¡Tuvimos una semana final muy agitada en Chile! El viernes, el grupo LSU condujo hasta las montañas de los Andes y nadó en baños termales allí. El olor a azufre era un poco fuerte al principio, pero el agua parecía increíble y las vistas eran preciosas. Luego comimos juntos y exploramos un mercado (donde también encontramos algunos deliciosos churros).

Over the weekend, I traveled with my host family to Arauco. We saw many beautiful beaches and I learned about the unique "rock of the cross" that can be found in a river in Arauco. I got to meet more of the extended family, and we all shared some empanadas together in a cute restaurant near the beach.

Durante el fin de semana, viajé con mi familia anfitriona a Arauco. Vimos muchas playas hermosas y aprendí acerca de la única "roca de la cruz" que se puede encontrar en un río en Arauco. Pude conocer a más de la familia extendida, y todos compartimos algunas empanadas en un lindo restaurante cerca de la playa.

Another day of travel with LSU! We explored a few nearby beaches and coastal towns. We attracted our fair share of stray dog friends as well. We enjoyed lunch together (more empanadas) and then that evening had a lovely dinner to celebrate our time with our teachers.

¡Otro día de viaje con LSU! Exploramos algunas playas cercanas y ciudades costeras. También atrajimos nuestra parte justa de amigos de perros callejeros. Disfrutamos el almuerzo juntos (más empanadas) y luego esa noche tuvimos una cena encantadora para celebrar nuestro tiempo con nuestros maestros.

Thursday was the English song festival, which was so fun! I had the opportunity to be on the judging panel for this competition, which was exciting. We saw traditional Chilean dance and then heard many talented students perform pop songs in English. The crowd was enthusiastic and the energy was contagious! I'm so glad I could be a part of it.

I can't believe that my time in Chile has come to an end. The weeks flew by and I was so sad to go! Parting with my host family and teacher was difficult even after just a few weeks. I am so thankful to them for making this experience so special and meaningful. It has been unforgettable!

¡El jueves fue el festival de la canción en inglés, que fue muy divertido! Tuve la oportunidad de estar en el jurado de esta competencia, que fue emocionante. Vimos danza chilena tradicional y luego escuchamos a muchos estudiantes talentosos interpretar canciones pop en inglés. ¡La multitud estaba entusiasmada y la energía era contagiosa! Estoy tan feliz de poder ser parte de eso.

No puedo creer que mi tiempo en Chile haya llegado a su fin. ¡Pasaron las semanas y estaba tan triste de ir! Partir con mi familia de acogida y mi profesor fue difícil incluso después de unas pocas semanas. Estoy tan agradecida con ellos por hacer que esta experiencia sea tan especial y significativa. ¡Ha sido inolvidable!