Queridos Estudiantes (Dear Students):

Queridos estudiantes:

You are going to start an incredible journey that will change your lives forever. Living abroad strips away many of the things that previously defined yourselves: your language, your family, your friends and your culture. You will be left standing naked in a strange land and exposed to many things from the new environment that may seem unexplainable and unreasonable. But you will survive! I assure you that the person who will pass through customs on his/her way home won’t be the same person who arrived in Chile: you will evolve, and Chile will affect you in many ways.

You are going to the longest country in the world. Superimposed on a map of the United States, Chile would stretch from Maine to Southern California. On a map of Europe, Chile would stretch from Moscow to Lisbon. It is 4,270 kilometers (2,647 miles) long, yet averages only 177 kms. (110 miles) across.

You will be living and exploring the South notable for its beautiful scenery, including volcanoes, lakes, forests and rivers. It is one of the biggest tourist destinations in South America.

So, queridos estudiantes, relax and enjoy the trip!!

Dr. Galarce

Preparativos (Preparations)

I can hardly believe that in six days, we will be on a plane to Chile! We have spent the last few weeks bonding as a group, spending the holidays with family, and anxiously preparing for the trip. What an incredible opportunity we've been given by our family, professors, and university.

We will leave Atlanta Monday evening and land in Santiago at 8am Tuesday morning. We'll spend a few days exploring the city, then head to Valdivia to meet our host families.

Our next blog will come from Santiago, Chile.
¡Hasta luego!

Our Chile group!