Hola a todos!
Thank you to my family and friends for encouraging and supporting me as I prepare to travel to Chile! This entry shares why I want to go to Chile, what I am most looking forward to, and how I am preparing for one month living in a completely new region and culture.
Mi motivación para visitar Chile
Before applying for this exchange, I knew practically nothing about Chile. I couldn’t have confidently pointed it out on a map of Latin America, but I could tell you about Elyanna (a Chilean-Palestinian R&B singer) and about the famous poet Pablo Neruda, whose poem Puedo escribir los versos más tristes está noche we analysed in Spanish class earlier this year.
What has truly sustained my Spanish language journey, especially as a largely self-taught learner over many years, has been Latin music. I love listening to a wide range of Latin and Hispanic genres, including reggaeton, bachata, and flamenco. Being an officer of my university’s Spanish Society also led me to attend SUDAKA, a Latin music festival this year. I met a few Chileans there who welcomed me so warmly. That night was so much fun, as it was the first time I got to dance and sing in Spanish with other people!
So, even though my early knowledge of Chile was limited, my love for Latin American music and the warmth and generosity of Latino culture drew me in and made this experience one I wanted to pursue.
Why Spanish and Latin America: a Global Studies perspective
A major reason I wanted to formally study Spanish and Latin American Studies at university, after years of self-study, was not only my love for the language and music, but also a desire to learn more about non-Western and Indigenous worldviews. Latin America is a region of immense cultural complexity that is often misrepresented through Western perspectives.
In Chile in particular, I am interested in learning about Mapuche, Rapa Nui, and their other diverse Indigenous cultures, as well as the connections we share as ‘cousins’ across opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the Apacheta programme and the ambassadorial opportunity to represent Aotearoa New Zealand resonates strongly with me. The programme’s focus on innovation, business, and cross-cultural exchange in Latin America aligns with my hope to contribute to a sustainable and meaningful friendship between our countries.
El idioma, la cultura y la gente hermosa de Chile
As I have learned more about Chile in the lead-up to this trip, I have come to appreciate the country’s uniqueness and beauty, both through its people and through literature.
Fortunately, I got to know a Chilean colleague, Dani, by coincidence at work. When I told her I was going to Chile, she immediately wanted to help me prepare. We met for coffee where she helped me practise my Spanish, and, on New Years Day, I went to her home to visit her family including her partner, Cristian, and his parents, for a delicious almuerzo. I tried all types of Chilean wine (vino tinto, blanco y champán) as well! They were so welcoming and shared advice about where to go, how to stay safe, everyday life, slang, and holiday traditions in Chile.
Literatura de Chile
I love reading and immersing myself in knowledge as a way of being a respectful and informed global citizen. To better understand Chile from Chilean perspectives, I decided to explore some essential literature to build a foundation before experiencing the country myself.
At the moment, I am reading Gabriela Mistral’s beautiful poetry alongside a historical chronology spanning from Spanish colonisation to the horrors of the Pinochet regime. I will hopefully share highlights and reflections from these readings throughout the next month as we travel.
Our plan for Chile and my personal goals
Through the Apacheta programme, our accommodation and schedule will allow us to visit key landmarks in Santiago and Valparaíso, while living alongside other international exchange and local students. As a group, we are also planning trips beyond Santiago, including visits to Torres del Paine and Patagonia.
While much of this journey will involve the unknown and a “go with the flow” mindset, I am excited to embrace Chilean ways of life. My personal goals are to challenge myself to speak Spanish every day, remain open to meeting and talking with new people, and leave Chile with meaningful connections and lasting friendships. ¡Será un viaje bacán!
For now, what remains is to continue working through my reading list, pack my summer clothes and travel essentials, and prepare to approach this journey with an open mind and heart in el Sur.
Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey with me. I look forward to sharing more reflections, stories, and lessons from Chile.
Talk soon!