Classes, Internship and very special visitors!

I have made two interesting realizations about the past (almost) three weeks that I’ve been in Chile:

1. I have spoken more Spanish than the cumulative amount I’ve spoken in my entire life!
2. I have felt more earthquakes than the total amount I’ve felt in my entire life! In fact, I feel an aftershock pretty much every day, it is an exciting life down here!

This last week has been a whirlwind of activity. I had my first full week of classes and my first day at my Internship. Finding all of the buildings and classrooms is definitely a challenge, but I managed to arrive on time to every class! For various reasons, my class schedule is still in the works, but I will be sure to update you when it is finalized.

The amazing castle where I have my Art History class

I am very excited about my Internship and would like to tell you a bit about it! I am working through a program called ‘TAC’ which stands for Community Action Workshop. It was founded in 1989 (the year I was born) when some community members decided to clean out a huge garbage dump in the middle of their neighborhood. Today it is a colorfully decorated center with a playground, amphitheater and garden of native plants. Their mission is to promote the development of the community through both informal and formal education about health, the environment, education, politics, patrimony, citizenship and culture. Most of their work involves children and families, teaching sustainability and personal health and awareness. My work includes planning and preparing lessons with the Chilean staff, walking to the school to pick up a group of kids, then leading a class in the TAC center with games, arts

& crafts and learning, of course.

TAC Center

TAC Amphitheater with kids

My first day at TAC began with a beautiful drive up through the windy, colorful hills of Valparaíso to where the center is located. About eight of us talked about ideas for games and lessons for the 6th grade class we were going to teach. Sometimes the Spanish is impossible for me to follow, as many of the volunteers are young adults and talk fast with lots of slang. However I understand most, and am gradually becoming more comfortable participating in conversation. Meeting the kids was absolutely fabulous! They were all so sweet and hilarious, all the young girls asking if my hair color was natural and the young boys asking if I wanted to date them! The kids were full of energy and excited to be at TAC, and I am so excited to work with them each week as I learn more about TAC and can be an increasingly better volunteer!

Introductions game with a string connecting everyone

Me with my new friend Sabrina

This weekend was very exciting as my mom, dad and Audrey came to visit me!!! We had a fabulous weekend touring my cities. Even in my short time here, I’ve learned a lot and was able to be their tour guide. On Saturday evening, my Chilean host family invited my real family over for dinner. Turns out my host family knows a lot more English than they speak to me (which is definitely a good thing!) so my two families were able to have some wonderful conversations about Chilean history, native birds, all of the families, and more! Below are photos and captions that capture the highlights of our time together.

Delicious lunch restaurant looking over Valpariso

Here are a few murals from the Open Air Museum

Audrey matching a mural

We rode one of the famous 'ascensores' = elevators of the hills

Mom & Dad at the hotel with tasty tortas from the local bakery

One of the many beautiful views from the Botanical Garden in Vina

See the Chilean butterfly? This flower is one of the 3,000 species in the garden.

My family is now in Southern Chile and can relax since they have seen the wonderful place I live. That’s all for now, thanks for being a loyal follower!