The document is a reflection from the author about their experience studying abroad in Chile. Some key points: - The author is sad that their life-changing journey in Chile has ended but is happy for the opportunity and bonds formed with exchange students, their host family, and Chileans met during travels. - The author traveled throughout Chile, experiencing different cultures and nature, and learning about the Chilean culture through food, traditions, and history. - Their Spanish improved from immersion in Chile and they encourage exploring other cultures through travel for personal and intellectual growth.

1. While writingthis,Iambothsad and happy.I am sad that mylife-changingjourney hascome to
an end.I am happythat I had thisamazingopportunityandthe chance to have youjoinmyadventures
inyour classroom. While studyingabroad,Ihave made life-longbondswithotherexchange students
and withlocal Chileans.Ihave made bondswithmyhostfamilyandpeople I’vemetduringmytravels.
These people have beenpartof my personal growthandhave inspiredme to travel andto explore other
countries inthe future. PeopleIhave crossedpaths withinChile andwithwhomI have created
friendships will foreverbe apart of my happiestmemories.
I and myChileanfriend Gaby,who Ihave introducedinmyarticle aboutdailylivesof locals,
hope to travel togetherinthe future.She wantstovisitme whenIvisitEgypt. I have made manyspecial
friendsinChile thathave sharedtheirculture withme andthatI have sharedmy culture with aswell.
Althoughwe bothcome fromdifferentcountriesandspeakdifferentlanguages,we hadplentyin
commonfrom musictaste to our life experiences. Youwill alwaysfindsomethingincommonwith
people worldwide.
I have traveledthroughoutpartsof Chile andseen differenttypesof nature fromthe Atacama
Desertto the VillaricaVolcano.Ihave metall typesof Chileansfromthe northandthe south,and
Chileansfromthe cityandthe country side. Ihave metstudents,kids,andadults. Ihave triedmany
Chileanfoods,deserts,anddrinks andhave learnedsome recipesandtips. Alsolearningthe Chilean
culture hasbeena blastand a learningexperience.Iammore knowledgeable of festivals,holidays,
historyand political and social problemsinChile. Iamable to see some political topicsfromadifferent
perspective nowthatIhave livedinanothercountry. MySpanish,althoughnotexcellent,hasimproved
tremendouslyandIam able to use these skillswhenIreturntothe U.S. ExploringChile gave me
immersionintothe culture thatIwantedtoexperience.
As youare goingto soonfinishmiddle school andenterhighschool andthencollege,Iwould
suggestthatyou staydiligent,workhard,andalwaysdoyour best inschool.Thiswill openupsuccessful
pathsfor youin the future. Canyou guesshow muchit cost me to studyabroad? For me,itcost about
$15,000. I knowyou’re thinkingthat’salotof money! Iagree that it is,however,Ididn’thave topaya
dime.How? I receive financial aid, whichiswhenthe governmentgivesyouacertainamountof money
that youdon’thave to pay back if your parentsmake below acertainincome. Ontopof receiving
financial aid, Iworkedhardduringhighschool andcollege tobe able to receive scholarships frommy
universityandmystate. I alsoreceivedthe U.S.Departmentof State'sBenjaminA.GilmanInternational
Scholarship,whichisaprestigious scholarshipfortopstudentsbelow acertainincome totravel abroad.
So studyhard andmake goodgradesso that it’ll payoff incollege.
One of myfavorite quotesis “Travel.Asmuchas youcan. As far as youcan. As longas youcan.
Life’snotmeantto be livedinone place.” Iencourage everyonetotravel.Itdoesn’t necessarily have to
be to anothercountrybut it can be to anothercity or state;anythingbeyondyour30 mile radius. Every
town,state,countryhas its ownunique characteristics andculture.Whenyoutravel,itislike being on
an adventure ina book.Youdon’tknowwhat you’ll be doing orlearningnextandthat’sthe excitement
of it. You see a world thatis newto you.You begintoexplore itandinthe meanwhileyourownworld
has become bigger. Youmeetpeopleonyourpaththat will be part of your experience andmemories.

2. Whenwe bidsomeone farewell inChile,we say“que te vayabien.”