Author: annaschroedel

My main objective when deciding to go to Chile for six weeks was the opportunity to learn Spanish. While I had been interesting in learning the language for awhile, I felt like in order to really grow in my abilities I needed to be forced to speak it. As it turns out, I was right. I still have a long way to go in my Spanish abilities, but I can speak enough to get by and make general conversations. I remember when I had a good conversation with my Uber driver in Spanish, about five weeks in to the program, I realized just how far I had come.

When I first arrived in Chile, I had very basic Spanish knowledge. Everything was difficult, I didn’t understand small normal things that I would have never even thought about while speaking English. It was apparent to me how uncomfortable it is to in a place where you do not speak the language, and how frustrating it can be to not be able to express things that should be easy. I am so grateful for the people that I encountered that helped me to speak and did not judge me for making mistakes, but instead gently led me to correct them. My host mom was incredibly important in this process, and so were the program leaders. I was also able to get a tutor (through the program I was doing) that complimented the language practice I was getting in real life with grammar and explanations, which was also an important part in my learning process.

In just six short weeks, I was able to get by in Spanish. One of my professors said if I had a just two months, I could be fluent. While sadly, this time, that was not possible, I hope to continue my Spanish acquisition in the future. For someone considering applying for an SLA Grant, I would wholeheartedly say to do it.

that it was not as great of a task as it seems to dive in to a new language. Not only was I able to test my limits and rapidly learn Spanish, I also grew in my confidence and in my awareness of what is possible. For me, the gift of SLA Grant goes beyond this one summer; it has inspired me to dive into new opportunities, even if they are far outside of my comfort zone. I cannot wait to see where this takes me.

One of the parts of Chile I did not get used to was the lack of drinking water readily available. There were always bottles to be bought, but while in the US there is free water as the default in any restaurant you visit, this was not the case in Chile. There were a few places where you could ask for tap water and they would bring you a glass, but in general water was only to be bought by the bottle. While this may seem like a small thing, it was different to think of water as a luxury.

The first day I got to Chile, it rained. It rained hard. I wad surprised to hear that this was not common, that Chile had been in a drought for over a decade, and it has been a big problem for the people. It is estimated that as of the end of 2021, of Chile’s population of 19 million, over half lived in areas with “severe water scarcity”, meaning that they did not have enough water for the lives of the people. A water rationing plan has even been announces as a way to ensure access of water to the people of Chile, but this is far from a solution. One of the most basic needs to sustain life, the lack of water an emergency for the people and the land.

I was in the car with my host mom one evening and we drove past a river. She told be that the water used to be much higher, and that now, as we could see from the road, it is almost all dried up. Being in this sort of environment made me think about water in a way that I had never done before, making me both very grateful for the easy public access to water that I have had in the US, and also very worried that this is the state of some parts of the world.

In Chile, there are two dominant groups: the Chileans and the Mapuche, the indigenous people of the region. On one of our group trips, we went down south to Villaricca. In Villaricca, we attended a traditional Mapuche ceremony with instruments, singing, dancing, and some storytelling. 

When learning about a different place, I often reference the culture of the place I grew up in, Hawai’i. I was talking to one of my professors about the culture of Hawaii and she related it to Chile, where there are the Chileans and the Mapuche. The Mapuche are the indigenous group of the region, and they have their distinct language and customs that have largely been overshadowed by Chileans. If you are Chilean, there are social limits to the way in which you can interact with Mapuche culture. One example is the jewelry they wear. The Mapuche wear large silver jewelry. Silver is said to protect against evil because as it ages it darkens, signifying the evil that has been “caught” by the silver, protecting the wearer from harm. This large specific silver jewelry in not really acceptable to be worn outside of Mapuche culture, considered more cultural appropiation than anything else. Fashion is not just fashion when it is tied to cultural beliefs. Even though there is not a specific rule, there is a social feeling that it is not acceptable. 

In another moment, when we went on a hike through the forest with a Mapuche guide, we learned that each tree is named and has different significance to the people. Not only these, but the interconnectedness of nature, and the reverence the people have for the land. 

I really enjoyed learning more about the way of life of the native people around Chile. The perspectives of other cultural groups help me to not only expand my worldview, but also to reflect on my own cultural background.

Empanadas are really big here in Chile, in fact they are a national dish. On our trip to Pomaire, a pottery town about a two hour drive from Santiago, we were given some of the country’s favorite: pino empanadas. Empanadas are essentially dough with various types of fillings. Pino is a popular type of empanada, the word coming from the Mapuche indigenous word “pinu,” meaning pieces of cooked meet, typically beef. Empanadas are a staple in daily cuisine here in Chile, and at the university where we are studying, you can get Empanadas a few different places, usually for around $2 each! Because they are cheap and simple, the empanada has become a common lunch for me and the other people in my group. 

Some other observations about food in Chile: there really isn’t very much spice in the food here. While flavors are rich and good, I had thought there might be a bit more of a kick. There is one spice, however, that is quite popular called merquen. While many foods in Chile have been brought by European influence, merquen in a spice this is frequently used in the cuisine of the Mapuche, the indigenous people of the region.

Lastly, maracuyá (passionfruit, or in Hawaii where I grew up, lilikoi) is everywhere! In cheesecake, ice cream, drinks, etc. I was thrilled to discover this, and made Chile feel a bit more like home for me.

Getting to Chile, I was prepared to be completely hit by culture shock. On arrival, not only was I aware that there were many Spanish words I didn’t know, but there were additionally Chilean-specific words that I had never heard before. First, a common word for “cool” or “good” here is Bacán. This is said frequently as an affirmation. Because we hear it so often from our host families, our professors, and other people we encounter here in Chile, many people in my group have adapted the word. Rico is used all the time, for a variety of different things. I often hear it in relation to food being delicious, but it can also be used to describe something that is good or an attractive person. I have started saying it when I really like the food my host mom has prepared, “muy rico!”

Besides uniquely Chilean slang that I had previously never heard, the Chilean accent has also been an adjustment. The last couple letters of words or phrases are often dropped. For example, it is common to say “gracia” instead of “gracias” and “buen dia” in place of “buenos dias”. It is a bit confusing going from proper Spanish learned in the class room to the colloquiums of Chile, but I am doing my best to adjust. It has definitely been important for me to remember that if I don’t know something, all I need to do is ask. Making mistakes is a big part of the process, and while exhausting at times, I feel myself getting more comfortable little by little. All of this newness is a fun challenge.

It is just a few days before I head out to Chile, and I am getting more excited and nervous by the day. I have no idea what to expect, and I know I will be challenged in many ways. I am a beginner at Spanish and have never been in a setting where I have to use a different language on a daily basis. I am worried that I will struggle in basic daily tasks and events but I know that is what it takes to improve. I am so excited to meet my host family and I wonder what it will be like getting to know them. I wonder how long it will take me to be comfortable speaking Spanish. I am preparing to go into a place full of unknowns. I cannot wait to see all the growth that I go through throughout the next several weeks