Meanwhile in the Other America... by Lindsay North

So, as I ventured to the other side of the world to go from one America to the next, I of course expected a few things to be opposite, such as the time of year, weather, and culture. What I found out is that I was right on a few things, wrong on others, and oblivious to the rest. As for being right, it IS winter here instead of summer, the people ARE a lot different as they are actually laid back and stress-free, and also there IS a time difference as well as a different eating schedule. For example, breakfast (if it is eaten) is at 7:30 before school, then while you are at school from 8-3 you snack at breaks, then you eat lunch at four, and finally dinner at 8:30. However, what I was not aware of is that while the weather is flipped so are the eating portions. Here in Chile, they basically eat a big dinner-like meal for lunch and a small lunch portion for dinner. Something I also did not expect upon arriving in Concepcion, Chile was for it to look so similar to the west coast of America. Personally, it reminds me of a region like Oregon with the woodsy, outdoor aspect combined with rain, earthquakes, and Columbia puffer jackets.

Lastly, the biggest surprise I was greeted with (literally) was my host family, who I have felt so naturally a part of since the day I met them being that they think and sometimes even act so similarly to me. Pictured below, this is an extremely welcoming, accepting, forgiving, open-minded, and real family that I have been blessed to be a part of for the last 7 days. Fortunately, they speak English fluently but they also speak Spanish, American, politics, and unconditional love.

Also, on my first day in Chile, they fed me and put a roof over my head so they can't be that bad, right?

Since then they have taken me to the mall for mother's day, Parque Pedro Del Rio Zañartu to see the sunset over the pacific ocean, and most recently to see an old fort built by the conquistadors who came to Santa Juana.

For whatever reason, I received a prize at the mall

At the spot where the Bio Bio river meets the Pacific Ocean
photo cred to Carolina, my host mother

The lookout spot at the fort in Santa Juana

My family fed me again and this time introduced me to Peruvian food as well as Pisco, a Chilean liquor.

Salmon and shrimp in a yellow chili sauce

Pisco Sour which tasted like a less sweet margarita

As for school this week, I have LOVED working with the school counselor and psychologist observing how their roles are different in the Chilean school system. Basically, I have found that the psychologist takes on more of a counselor role with talk therapy and emotional learning activities in the classroom, while the counselor takes on more of a guidance role preparing the children for college and putting together drug and alcohol workshops. But, it is only the first week and I have only seen the tip of the iceberg of the tasks that they carry out so I am sure I will get a better picture of their duties in the weeks to come. What I love the most about working under them is how receptive they are to my ideas on how to better their approaches. They are so open to changing and incorporating different suggestions which is not something you usually see in the U.S. I also appreciate how they trust me to jump into interaction with the kids and have been encouraging me to create my own activities to implement with them.
Speaking of, the kids have been the most pleasant surprise of the school since they have been so kind, welcoming, and easy to talk to (both in English and Spanish). I have found that most of them want to practice their English with me and they also make me feel confident in using what little Spanish I know to communicate with them.

 

Overall, I am enjoying feeling my brain stretch and grow as I get real world experience and step outside my comfort zone into a world that feels so similar yet so different all at the same time. And since this is only the first week and I have not even begun the actual work I have planned, I am anxiously excited for the next two weeks ahead! Thanks for reading and stay tuned :)