First couple of weeks

It still feels like a dream. It feels like I haven’t actually left home. Or maybe I’ll be going home in a couple of weeks. Who knows? Maybe I’ll discover that I don’t know where home is.

I have been in Chile for a three weeks now. I have learned a lot, more than I expected for three weeks. There are a lot of things that are different, but everything is great! Last Thursday I started school. School is really diffierent and difficult. I am  taking fourteen classes, like physics, chemistry, and music. In the U.S. I would go from class to class, but in Chile the teacher comes to my class.

Everyone at school is super nice. No one hesitates to help me with my Spanish. Also if I don’t understand something, they usually explain it to me. I am so happy with me being put in Greenhouse.

So far, I have met 31 people from all over the world.  On my flight from Dallas to Santiago, I met five other exchange students that are going to the same district. Having them on the flight with me made the long flight easier. I have already made friends with people around the world, but will continue to do so at the next meetings. I can’t wait for the next meeting. It will be good to see everyone again.

Going from one sister to three siblings was insane. Life has been hectic with them, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Mane is 15 and she is in the same class as me at school. Montse is 12 and Ignacio is 8.  We all go to the same school together.

Orientation was at Salto del Laja. It is so pretty there. I am really happy that we had an orientation first. Everyone was so nice. Some queen thought of the brilliant idea for us to bring candy from our home country. The last night there, we all sat in a circle and ate candy from other countries. But, omg. It was so good.

My host family was dropping their daughter off at the airport in Santiago. Cata was leaving for exchange to the U.S. They were not able to pick me up, so I stayed the night with another family. It was really great meeting them. I had a lot of fun. Also their son, Esteban, had just gotten back from exchange in the U.S.  He helped me with my Spanish, which was awesome. I also found out that he goes to the school that I attend. His brother, Max was so nice. I am glad that the two of them go to Greenhouse.

When I arrived at the airport in Santiago, I was extremely tired. But the excitement kept me going. When I was meeting the other inbounds these two little kids kept coming up to me. They were so cute. They kept running back from me and their Dad. They welcomed me to Chile, and introduced themselves. I’m not sure if I have ever met more outgoing kids.

At Salto del Laja we all learned the Chilean dance. I have to admit that it was easier than I thought. I mean, I think that I could teach you if you wanted. Ok, maybe not…but still.