Chile (South)

Each student has a unique and individual experience on their Experiment program. The following essay is a single glimpse into a program from one student's perspective.

Morgan Ax -- Chile (South) (CISD)

Experiences in Chile South

It all started when a man came to my school from the Experiment. He told us a little bit about the program and from that point on I knew it would be a great opportunity for me. The experience began for me when I boarded a plane June 29th from Albany, NY going to Charlotte NC, then from Charlotte to Miami, FL where I met up with my group. When we met we all were a bit shy but really excited to finally meet. While we were waiting to board the plane going to Santiago there was a group of Chileans who had just spent 10 months together studying in the US. They were excited to go home but you got a sense that these kids weren't just friends they were like family to each other, I told myself that I wanted to be that close with my group. I remember the whole day I just smiled because I knew that this trip was going to be amazing!

During the two weeks in my home stay I learned more Spanish than I would have ever dreamed of learning in two weeks! I learned about the Chilean culture first hand, food and most of all about myself. The Chilean people are laid back, friendly and caring. My whole family opened their house to me and I can't thank them enough. Most of the stories that I tell to people are about my home stay.

The first day I met my family I was in my brother's apartment in Santiago, the maid Vivi was there to. When I my Chilean mom introduced her I immediately thought that they were sisters so I was completely confused when she started cleaning the bathroom while we were eating lunch. I wondered, maybe she wanted to clean the bathroom but who would want to clean a bathroom? I just didn't understand until the next day when my brother told me that Vivi was the maid. My "mom" also loved my blonde hair so every morning while I was eating breakfast she would blow it dry. After the first couple of days the maid started drying my hair. I just had to laugh to myself because I could never see my real mom drying my hair while I was eating.

I remember the first time I saw the Andes mountains. They were magnificent. Traveling was great because you could see so many different landscapes at one time. One day we drove to a town called Pucon. Pucon is a ski town and everyone said that it was like Colorado. We rode bikes one day and passed an active volcano. It was breathtaking. When we went to Valparaiso the roads were like San Francisco. I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the United States and Chile.

This is an experience that I will never forget. It has changed me in so many ways and has opened my eyes to a different culture. There are so many words that could explain my experience but it would take me a lifetime to find the right words. When I first arrived in Chile I wrote this in my journal " I want to fit in with them and I want them to respect me but more importantly I want to respect their culture and their way of life." I think that I have succeeded in doing that. I want to thank the Experiment for letting me have this opportunity. I don't think that I can thank them enough. I tell all of my friends that they need to try it because they need to experience it for themselves.