Blog 1: About Me
Hola! My name is Burke Kelleher. I am currently a sophomore at Lynchburg College majoring in elementary education and hoping to minor in special education.
Ever since I can remember I have absolutely loved to travel, which led me to want to spend my winter break studying abroad in Chile! I have never been to Chile...or to South America. So this is a brand new, rather nerve wracking but mostly exciting, experience for me. I've always been intrigued by how diverse people around the world live and what their culture is like. Having the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Chilean culture is something I am looking forward to experiencing. I am thrilled, but also a bit nervous, to live with a host family, as I have never done that before. I'm not sure how much English my host family will be able to speak so I will be completely immersed in the Spanish language right away. Speaking Spanish to get around an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar people is extremely different from speaking in the classroom, and Chilean Spanish is a whole other ballgame.
I have always loved being around kids. Whether I'm babysitting or tutoring, I always enjoy my time spent with them. That being said, I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to be working with kids in a different country, helping them expand their english speaking skills. This aspect of the trip really lured me in to applying to study abroad in Chile.
T-minus 9 days until I leave for Chile and although I have not packed anything yet, I'm ready to go! I'm ready to be immersed in the Chilean culture and Spanish language and ready to spend the next 3 weeks in Santiago and Viña del Mar. I’ve read as much about Chile as I could, highlighted the places I want to visit while I’m in Chile, and I’ve gotten in contact with others who have traveled to Chile recently. I’ve received a lot of good advice that has helped me plan my trip and now I’m ready for my adventure in Chile to begin!
Next stop: Santiago! (Once I finish packing, of course)
Ever since I can remember I have absolutely loved to travel, which led me to want to spend my winter break studying abroad in Chile! I have never been to Chile...or to South America. So this is a brand new, rather nerve wracking but mostly exciting, experience for me. I've always been intrigued by how diverse people around the world live and what their culture is like. Having the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Chilean culture is something I am looking forward to experiencing. I am thrilled, but also a bit nervous, to live with a host family, as I have never done that before. I'm not sure how much English my host family will be able to speak so I will be completely immersed in the Spanish language right away. Speaking Spanish to get around an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar people is extremely different from speaking in the classroom, and Chilean Spanish is a whole other ballgame.
I have always loved being around kids. Whether I'm babysitting or tutoring, I always enjoy my time spent with them. That being said, I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to be working with kids in a different country, helping them expand their english speaking skills. This aspect of the trip really lured me in to applying to study abroad in Chile.
T-minus 9 days until I leave for Chile and although I have not packed anything yet, I'm ready to go! I'm ready to be immersed in the Chilean culture and Spanish language and ready to spend the next 3 weeks in Santiago and Viña del Mar. I’ve read as much about Chile as I could, highlighted the places I want to visit while I’m in Chile, and I’ve gotten in contact with others who have traveled to Chile recently. I’ve received a lot of good advice that has helped me plan my trip and now I’m ready for my adventure in Chile to begin!
Next stop: Santiago! (Once I finish packing, of course)
Thanks for posting, Burke! I look forward to hearing about your experiences!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even started packing yet either!
ReplyDeleteI finally got started tonight! It's been stressful to say the least :)
DeleteHi Burke! I'm Wendy! I have never been to South America either but am really looking forward to it! I am also a little nervous to live with a host family, but I think it will be really nice! They are natives who will know so much about the area and can really help us out! I'm sure they will know the best places to eat at which I'm looking forward to! That's so great that you have been doing your research into Chile! That will really prepare you! Look forward to seeing you soon!
ReplyDeleteHey Wendy!! I agree! I'm definitely nervous about the host family aspect but I also feel like it'll be one of the most helpful parts of the trip. Especially since we don't know how to get around Viña del mar and they live there so it'll be extremely helpful to have their suggestions on where to go! I can't wait to see you!! only 6 more days :)
DeleteWhat's up, Burke? I'm Jerica. I have packed for Chile, but I have never traveled anywhere other than Georgia to visit family so I most likely am missing half the things I will need. I am also nervous about the host family because reading the biography made the whole trip seem more real. I've only watched a couple of videos on Chile but if it is half as beautiful in real life, I will be so hype. See you on the plane!!
ReplyDeleteHey Jerica!! Oh gosh you're way ahead of me haha I'm just now getting started on packing and super stressed about it. I'm kind of an over packer for everything so figuring out what to bring and what not to bring has been extremely hard haha. And agreed about the whole host family thing..it didn't really hit me that I'd be living in a foreign country for 3 weeks until I got my host family information and read about them! It's so surreal. I'm soooo excited for the warm weather and the beautiful scenery too! See ya on the plane:)
DeleteHey Burke! I am Alex and I can't wait to be in Chile with you so soon. I love traveling as well and working with kids so I think this will be tons of fun. I am also a little nervous about the host families but I am sure everything will be great. Oh, and don't worry, I haven't started packing either haha.
ReplyDeleteHey Alex!! I'm soooo excited to be in Chile with you too (only 6 more daysss)!! I'm so glad you love traveling and working with kids as much as I do! It's going to be such a great experience for us. And ok good I'm glad you haven't started packing either I was feeling so behind hahaha. Cant wait to see you:)
DeleteHi Burke! I'm Hannah, I am also very interested with other cultures all around the world, so I am very excited to learn more about Chile's culture and get to spend some time there! We also share a passion for working with children, I plan on my career having something to do with working with children, so that is definitely an advantage as we will be working with kids a lot! Can't wait to be in Chile in less than a week!
ReplyDeleteHey Hannah!! I'm so happy you share the same interest as me in learning about other cultures and that we share the same passion for working with kids! I also plan on working with kids in my career--I want to be an elementary school teacher. Can't wait to meet you and travel around Chile with you!! :)
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