Hey everyone! Get ready to hear all about the most amazing study-abroad trip to Chile! The purpose of this adventure was a study trip, where the goal was to learn while exploring a new country and experiencing a different culture, and now I am using my skills from digital storytelling to create this reflection! We were in Chile from February 27th to March 9th, which was packed with incredible experiences.
Our first stop was Easter Island, in the Pacific Ocean, famous for its giant stone statues called Moai. We stayed at the Tupa Hotel. While there, we explored the main town of Hanga Roa. We also enjoyed the beautiful beaches like Anakena and Pea Beach. We took a full-day tour visiting significant sites like Ahu Vaihu, Akahanga complex, Rano Raraku, and Ahu Tongariki, and even swam at Anakena Beach. Another day involved a half-day tour to Orongo to see the ceremonial village and petroglyphs, as well as Ahu Vinapu and Hanga Piko. We also had a half-day tour of Ahu Akivi, the topknot quarry Puna Pau, and Tahai. We enjoyed lots of Chilean cuisine, which surprisingly included many French fries. Something that really stuck with me was the culture around food and how important presentation was.
Next, we traveled to Santiago, the capital city of Chile. It’s a large, modern metropolis with tall buildings, and we stayed at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. From Santiago, we took a full-day tour to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, colorful coastal cities where we even had a wine tasting. Valparaíso is known for its vibrant culture and street art. We also went on a day trip to Cajón del Maipo in the Andes Mountains, where we saw waterfalls, glaciers, and cliffs, and had a picnic with Chilean wine, cream cheese, and soy sauce! Back in Santiago, we had a highlight tour of the city with a local expert, Alejandra, who I actually interviewed all about the culture of food in Chile! She also brought us to see important landmarks, and we took a cable car up San Cristobal Hill. On our last day, we had a free day to explore Santiago on our own. Marshall, Brianna, and I decided to take a hike labeled “very dangerous” and “only for locals,” which turned out well as a bonding experience!
We learned a lot about Chilean culture, like Chilean dress is casual but neat, and ripped or dirty clothing is not appreciated. While most meals were independent, we ate lots of Chilean cuisine. Seeing the street art in Valparaíso was a cultural highlight. Being in a new country and observing daily life provided valuable cultural immersion. It was an incredible journey to experience the ancient wonders of Easter Island and the modern vibrancy of Santiago, along with the beauty of Chile’s coast and mountains.
This trip impacted me both personally and academically. I went on and heard about many adventures! I made many friends and I still hang out with them after the trip! I was able to see things I had never seen before, like the statues, and was able to let my creativity run wild when taking pictures and even editing them. Academically, this trip helped me with my Spanish as there were many opportunities to listen and translate. I also feel very comfortable taking pictures and videos of everything after this trip! Its made me realize how important it is to capture memories when you are there!
There was a lot to learn about the culture in Chile, but my absolute favorite thing I learned about was the birdman competition. We learned all about the history of Birdman Village, which I found so intriguing, and also learned about the competition where the clans chose a new leader each year. A cultural insight I observed is that the food is always presented so nicely at restaurants.
There are a couple of things I would recommend when studying abroad in Chile: the first is to wear lots of sunscreen! It is beautiful in Easter Island, and you will want to spend lots of time outside, but the UV can be up to 15, so it is important to wear and reapply sunscreen! Next, drink tons of water. It is easy to get dehydrated, and quicker when walking in the heat! Finally, if going with Lance, be careful of getting sniped! Finally, have fun and enjoy every moment!
Overall, the trip was so much fun and I learned so much! It is something I will always look back on very fondly. My favorite parts of the trip have to include learning all about Birdman Village and visiting the Mountains. I would recommend anyone, if you have the chance to study abroad, definitely take it!