First Week!

It's hard to believe, but a little over one week ago I stepped on a plane and traveled 5,600 miles away from home for the year to study abroad as an exchange student. It has been quite a transformation from living in Vermont to switching continents and living in Chile!  Even though it has only been one week of a 11 month exchange, I know that this is truly the best decision I have ever made. I am so happy that I am here, and I couldn't ask for a more welcoming family, they are amazing.  I am so grateful.

The first day and a half I questioned myself what I was doing and thought I was crazy at first to take this on and step completely out of my comfort zone.  That thought is completely gone now, and I feel very comfortable with my host family and feel a part of their family.  They tell me that my Spanish is improving and that is a great thing to hear! I start school tomorrow, I am very nervous, but looking forward to it too! I look forward to going to school because I can begin to start my "life" here by making friends and having a routine.  From going to school and speaking more and more I know my Spanish will begin to pick up and I am so excited for that! I real conversation instead of si or no all the time!  Yesterday we drove to Santiago to drop my host sister, Valentina, at the airport.  She is traveling abroad as well to the United States! So I wish her the best of luck and I know she will do great!

It is only the beginning and I know I have many more experiences to come my way while I am here and I look forward to each and every one of them.  I know that this year will fly by and be over before I know it, so I don't want to waste a single minute!  Like one of my cousins said to me the day before I left, " Open your mind and your heart and let it all happen!  And be aggressive- try everything."  My goal is to really follow those words of wisdom and really make this the time of my life!