It’s been just over two weeks since we landed in Santiago, and I’m falling in love with the city each day. I finally feel like I have adjusted to the lifestyle change and climate. Every day, we wake up to sunny mornings and fall asleep to the incredible sunsets, which are very different to the…Continue Reading Diversión al sol
Hola from Santiago! This week has been jam-packed with lectures, field observations, a workshop, and a welcome ceremony at the New Zealand Embassy as we settle into our new home. Highlights Thursday: We attended a captivating lecture on clinical strategies for promoting breastfeeding. We discussed the benefits and the importance of an intersectional approach to promote…Continue Reading Culture, Healthcare, and Self-Reflection
It has been a little over a week that we have been here in Santiago, Chile, and I can’t believe how much has changed already. Upon first arriving here, this city overwhelmed me. The heat made my head spin, the language barrier left me reeling, and the lack of proximity to any sort of natural…Continue Reading As the unfamiliar becomes familiar
Magnificent mountains that tower in the sky. This was my first impression of Santiago which reminded me of home. I find comfort and nostalgia in seeing mountains, which was the main feature in my hometown in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and in Kyoto, Japan, where I lived before moving to Aotearoa. In Santiago, the distant snow-capped…Continue Reading Santiago, Chile: At the foothills of the Andes
Reflecting on my first week in Chile and writing this blog has made me imagine a theme or something to organise the disparate excitement, chaos and confusion that comes with being in a new place. Going overseas to another country is very much an act of disconnection, leaving a place that is entirely unfamiliar. Indeed,…Continue Reading Connecting in Santiago Week 1
Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū – feel the fear and do it anyway! This whakataukī has been a constant in my teenage years, and was particularly important during my first year of University last year. Over the past week, this whakataukī has naturally integrated its way into our conversations and thoughts — it’s a…Continue Reading Being comfortable with being uncomfortable
Shannon Mihaere. Rangitane o Tāmaki nui a Rua. Ngāti Porou. Ngai Tai ki Tamaki. Waikato Tainui. I acknowledge the land I am living on as that of the Mapuche people who through their lived realities of colonisation have noticeably felt absent from the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city. I look forward to this…Continue Reading Warm beginnings in Chile
I still can’t believe we are in Santiago, Chile. It’s been just over a week, and I still have to pinch myself every time I wake up in this beautiful city. From the never-ending sound of the city to the vibrant colours and expression of art on the streets, it is simply breathtaking. While I…Continue Reading Explorando y adjustando – Exploring and adjusting!
Flying into Santiago was incredible, nestled between the snowcapped Andes Mountains and Chilean Costal Range. Upon arrival, I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. Javiera, Kathleen, and Margarita from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile welcomed us at the airport and drove us to the Edificio Metro Salvador II Building, where we will stay during…Continue Reading Hola desde Chile
Días de los muertos , or Day of the Dead in English , is a well- known celebration in Mexico. The official days are the first and second of November , but festivities can begin weeks beforehand. The components of this celebration, such as the skull , is a symbol of Mexico. You are likely…Continue Reading Welcoming The Dead To The World Of The Living