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Margo Church, currently a Junior and International Affairs Major, is studying abroad in Chile through the for the Spring 2025 Semester. Read about Margo’s incredible experiences and adventures in Chile below!Ìý

Life with my host mom has been going smoothly, and she has been showing me many different Chilean cuisines, like Cazuela, sopapillas, and various kinds of soups. A few days ago, a Chilean student moved in with us as well, so I'm curious to see how that will go! Ìý

My ISA program has taken us on multiple field trips to learn about other sections of Chile! A few weekends ago, we traveled to , a town in the lake region of Chile, home to the Villarica Volcano. On the first day, we went to a Ruka, a , to learn about Mapuche culture and ways of modern and past ways of living. We tried different types of bread that were freshly made in the fire that sits in the center of the Ruka. We learned how strong the Mapuche connection with the earth is and how they practice sustainability. On the second day, a few of us checked out and learned about the different flora and fauna. On our final day, we all trekked up to the top of the volcano, where we got to see a panoramic view of the lake region. It was one of the hardest hikes I have ever done. Ìý

Another field trip we've done was to some of the northern beaches in the Valparaíso region. We started at Horcón, a fishing village with a lot of small local artisans and restaurants. They have a tradition of using horses to pull in fishing boats. After Horcón, we went north to Zapallar. This beach was very secluded and clean. It was surrounded by houses owned by the wealthiest of Chileans, as well as high-end restaurants. It was super interesting to see the economic disparities on the short drive from Horcón to Zapallar. Ìý

Semester classes have started at the university, and it's a big change from the early block I took in February. Instead of 10 international students in the entire school, there are now around 100 total international students, as well as all the Chilean students back from summer break. It has been tougher to make Chilean friends than I would've expected. However, I am taking every opportunity I can to interact. For example, we had a language exchange where exchange students and local students could all come together and practice each other's languages and form connections. Ìý

     I am very interested in my courses as well. They consist of globalization, colonization and decolonization, and dances of Latin America. All my classes are taught in Spanish, which is giving me good speaking and comprehension practice. My favorite class is the dance class. We learn different dances from all around Chile and while we are learning them, the professors give us the history and cultural significance behind the moves and the music. Ìý

Thanks Margo for keeping us updated on your adventures in Chile!