South Auckland, to South America — the transition has been unreal. When I accepted this opportunity, I knew I’d be missing out on a big part of Kiwi summer. Luckily, Santiago summer does not disappoint. Filled with delicious food, activities, and gatherings, our first week here has been nothing short of amazing. Weekly asados have…Continue Reading Kiwi Summer in Santiago
I’ve been in Chile for just over a week, but the thought of having to return home in a few weeks feels bittersweet. Chile has been nothing but a blast, from trying local cuisine and immersing in local culture to learning Spanish and everything in between. In such a short time, this place has already…Continue Reading Completos, Conjugations, and Culture: Learning Chile One Day at a Time
Pack. Uber. Greetings. Goodbyes. Passport and Security Control. 12-hour flight. Then – straight into a country with welcoming arms and a 30-degree climate. The first week was packed with seeing the Cathedral, programme and student introductions, trying Chilean dishes and drinks, hiking up a mountain, park activities, and a whitewater kayaking adventure. The first three…Continue Reading Got a Minute?
Arriving at 7 am Monday morning from Pucon, I had a quick freshen-up before class and went straight into Spanish lessons. We kept up the pace this week with a leaving asado for our Australian friend Aidan, a birthday celebration for Hamish, a visit to the New Zealand Embassy and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, plenty…Continue Reading Speedrunning Patagonia
¡Hola a todos! My name is Abbey, a fourth-year student at the University of Auckland, and I’m so excited to begin this journey. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be based in Santiago, Chile, and participating in the Apacheta program held at UC Chile, a Spanish language and cultural immersion programme. One of my key…Continue Reading ¡Vamos a Chile!
Kia ora! January seems so close, yet with Christmas and New Year’s in between, there will be plenty of things happening in that time. Writing this blog is stirring up some excitement in me – excitement towards connections I will make, excitement towards beauty I will witness in architecture, culture and nature, as well as…Continue Reading 15 Days To Go!
Kia ora from Aotearoa. I have arrived safely back after the most spectacular four weeks in Chile! My final three days in Chile was filled with ups and downs as we made the most of the time we had left and said our goodbyes. Highlights Thursday: Today was one of the highlights of the trip for…Continue Reading Hasta Pronto Chile
Our final week in Chile came around too fast! As we prepared for farewells and did the last few things on our Chilean bucket lists, our group also prepared our final presentations. Wednesday was our final day of the Intercultural Approaches to Public Health programme at UC Chile, and we had the opportunity to share…Continue Reading A Talanoa to Return Home
As I sit here at my desk reflecting on the month that has been, it seems almost impossible to articulate everything I felt, and lived. Yet, although the dust has barely settled on our time in Chile, already I find myself recognising some of the changes that have emerged in my perspective and life since…Continue Reading An ending, of sorts
Shannon Mihaere. Rangitane O Tamaki Nui-A-Rua. Ngati Porou. Ngai Tai ki Tamaki. Waikato-Tainui. It has been over a week since we landed and crossed the waharoa into Aotearoa. At every turn the month of Kohitātea exceeded my expectations. The manaaki—from our host institution and the New Zealand Embassy in Santiago and from our wonderful Education…Continue Reading The emotions of leaving Chile