Changing Host Families

A few weeks ago, I changed into my second host family. As a Rotary exchange student I have 3 different host families while I am abroad. Leaving my first host family was difficult because they had been with me since the beginning when I knew no Spanish and all of these Chilean customs were new to me. Living with a family for 5 months gives you a connection that you would never expect. I am so grateful for all of the experiences that they have given to me. I am so content and happy in my new family. I have an older sister who is 21 years old and my 2 parents. I am not sure I could be any happier. My experience with this family has been different from the first being that I could speak Spanish and make connections with this family so much easier. They take me on so many activities and I love spending time with them. They are so patient and lovely and always make sure I understand what they say. I love talking with my host mom and she is such an amazing teacher and I can ask her anything. I love my host sister, too. And my host father is just the best! Not much has happened since I last blogged... a new year started, I turned 17, Seahawks will be going to the Super Bowl, my best exchange friends went back to their countries. I love how life works! I think it is safe for me to say that this has been the best stage of my exchange. I can speaking Spanish (almost) fluently, making connections are easier, I understand directions and customs, and so on. I feel so well adjusted and at home here. Now I just need to continue making the next 5 months of my exchange unforgettable.

Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo

I cannot believe it has been almost 1 month since I last blogged. Time is going by so quickly! So much has happened within the last month and I had my first Christmas and New Years in summer. Just like the United States, family is the biggest part of the holiday season, so I spent a lot of my holiday season enjoying time with my family and friends. A few days before Christmas, my host cousins, sisters and I had a formal Christmas dinner with my Abuela, Lelu in Santiago. A few days later, we returned to Santiago on Christmas eve and had a delicious dinner with all of the family eating salmon, salads, and cake. After, our family had a huge Secret Santa exchange. Something I have learned living in Chile is that most of the exciting, big moments with family and friends happen at night, and the next day is full of relaxing and enjoying a peaceful day. So, for Christmas we had a nice family day and ate a delicious barbecue in the backyard.

In between all of this crazy holiday-ness the exchange students in my club went to a Senior living home and volunteered for the day, taking with everyone, helping when we could. Of course, we were asked for our hands in marriage many times. Everyone was so sweet and I had a great time being able to spend the time with everyone there.

On New Years we went to my Grandma's house in Santiago and had an amazing dinner of Ham and salads. It was too delicious! At midnight we all put on crazy hats and glasses and then watched a huge firework show that was on top of a Cerro. After the firework show all of the cousins and I went to a party. Once or family returned to our house, we finally were able to sleep. And of course like I said earlier, New Years Day was full of relaxing and resting!

I am so content and happy to be starting my year in Chile. I feel that I have adapted well to the culture, people, food, and all of the things that make my host country so beautiful, rich and lively! I hope that everyone back home had a wonderful holiday season and I will be thinking of you very much on my birthday! Thank you for all of the support you have given me, I am so lucky for all of the experiences that I have been given so far this past and present year. I could not be more grateful.