My name is Sophia Fox and I am junior majoring in print and digital journalism and I will be spending my semester in Florence, Italy.

You should know that I am currently lying in my bed in my own bedroom that is in my average American house that sits in my little neighborhood, which is located in a little suburb, which is surrounded by more little suburbs. And this is one of the last times I can say that before I leave for a trip that will take me across the world for the next four months.

I’ve lived in the same house for over 10 years and I know the scenery outside of my window in my bedroom like the back of my hand. But after four months, I can’t help but to think that it may not be as recognizable. I wonder what the scenery will be like outside my window in Florence and will it become as familiar. Will I change as a person and become someone different than I am today or will I be just as recognizable as I was when I left?

In all honestly, it really still has not hit me that I leave in less than two days. But I came pretty close yesterday as I was driving home from hanging out with some of my college friends for the last time, I turned to my friend and said “We are going to be spending a semester traveling around in Europe. That is unreal.” Unreal is about the only word I can really think of to use to describe what the next four months will be like.

It is unreal that me, a pretty average American college student, will leave my comfortable life to live within a culture I no nothing about, let alone the native language. It is unreal that my family and my marvelous college have given me this opportunity. It’s unreal that I will be leaving some of the greatest people I have ever met in State College, but their endless encouragement has made it slightly easier.

Within the next 72 hours I will embark on a trip of a lifetime. My final word of thought is: unreal.

Location: Harrisburg, PA 17110

12/28/15

My name is Taylor Warmkessel, and I am a junior at Penn State, with a dual major in Spanish and Global and International Studies. I am gearing up now to begin the adventure of a lifetime in Quito, Ecuador South America. I chose this program because South America has always seemed like an exotic place, where adventurers like me will be in heaven. There are endless peaks and valleys to explore because the continent is so diverse with intimidatingly beautiful snowy mountains, dense tropical rain forests screaming with life, crystal clear Pacific coasts, and quiet plains. Ecuador itself is one of the smallest countries in South America, although it definitely has the best of all of the diverse geography and incredible historical culture. Ecuador, hence it’s name, is peacefully situated right on the equator, so 365 days a year, they get 12 hours of sunlight and extremely moderate, comfortable temperatures, depending on where you are in the country. I also chose Ecuador because it is extremely convenient. It is the same time zone as us here at Penn State, and also, to my surprise, uses the U.S. dollar! Travel is extremely inexpensive and the country is relatively safe, besides the common petty theft. My biggest goal will be to stay far away from the typical “gringa tourist” persona, and try my best to blend in with the locals. Ecuador is an incredible country, and in just a few weeks, I will be able to breath it’s mystic air and walk on it’s archival land.

As I sit here in my bedroom, scrambling through last minute appointments, paperwork, and packing, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with extreme excitement and anxiousness as I inch nearer and nearer to my departure date. My flight is scheduled for January 11th @ 2:45 pm, a brilliant way to begin the new year. Now that the holidays are winding down, I am beyond ready to start this adventure in South America and explore places I never would’ve thought I could in my wildest dreams. My expectations for this experience go way beyond most students I’m sure, but I guarantee I am going to use this journey to fulfill my immeasurable thirst for adventure. I hope to travel all over the city and do my best to explore all major cities in the country. If I’m lucky I’ll make it up to Colombia, or down to Peru, or maybe even over to Brazil for Carnaval. I’m sure many of you are wondering if I’m at all nervous, and I would say yes and no. I’m nervous for the transition stage, but after the couple weeks of getting immersed into the country, culture, and language, I plan on soaring through the rest, as if it was something I was born to do. I do not fear the unknown, I embrace it, although I am aware of it’s potential. This is the first time in my life where I have no one to depend on besides myself. This experience will be the ultimate test of independence, patience, and cultural awareness. I will be forced to use my second language as a first, and have no other option than to speak it 24/7. Now that can be a scary thought, but my fluency will be at it’s maximum upon return, and being bilingual is one of my biggest goals, and will be one of my greatest achievements.

I will be living with a host family; a young couple with 14 year old twins, a boy named Felipe, and a girl named Cristina. I plan on speaking with them a lot, listening to their stories, learning their humble way of life, and doing everything I can to become a new member of their family. I will be living in an indigenous community outside of the city called La Comuna de Lumbisi, along with 3 other Penn State students. Living near my Penn State friends will be a great sense of comfort and security, and provide a little taste of home, if heaven forbid I get homesick. However, this community we will be living in, will give us a better sense of true Ecuadorian life and culture because it is more rural and traditional. Cities like Quito are more modernized and swarmed with tourists and internationals, however this community has been home to Andean Indigenous Incan descents who have been living there for centuries. The history and culture of Ecuador is immense, and I can not wait to begin my classes and continue to learn about Ecuadorian/Andean and Amazonian society.

In this one semester abroad, I hope to learn, grown, and explore more than I have in my entire three years at Penn State. International travel, communication, and cultural appreciation, I believe is the recipe for a greater and more peaceful world. There is so much more to see in the world than what I have seen growing up in a small town, and I am counting down the days for that adventure to begin.

Location: 207 Schoolhouse Road, Sellersville PA 18960 U.S.A

I just finished my finals and last day of class yesterday. Today is Thanksgiving and it is weird not being in Michigan for our annual family reunion. However, the staff at my program center have been extremely kind in helping us gringos and gringas in preparing our own goodbye/Thanksgiving festivities. I’d like to take a minute to reflect on everything for which I am thankful, like any good little United Stater would do on this fine day of feasting (and celebrating almost completely wiping out the Native American population).

1. My parents – I cannot thank them enough for making this semester possible, financially and otherwise. From dealing with poking fun at them on my blog, to staying up past there bedtime every week so I can Skype with them, they have been incredibly supportive and I cannot thank them enough.
2. Did I mention my parents?
3. IES Staff – Thank you. Just thank you. From me crying in your office because I was sick and did not want to go to the doctor to all of us laughing in Chiloé at an asado to just helping me adjust to my new life in Chile. Thank you.
4. My host Mom – While living with a host family is not exactly what I expected, my host mom has been very kind in opening up her home to me. She has invited me to little excursions to the grocery store with her and her friends and shopping. This might not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but when it means sitting in your room studying by yourself, or practicing Spanish in the real world, it makes all of the difference.  She also hes been extremely patient with me and my exercise schedule. If I am at the gym, she will make sure to wait for me to get home before eating so that I can sit with the family and have every opportunity to listen and speak Spanish.
5. Exercise – I always knew I loved exercising, but I never realized how essential it was to my happiness until coming to Chile. Joining Crossfit Korua has been one of the best decisions I have made. I was looking for a way to stay active while abroad and ended up realizing how much happier I was when I was exercising on a regular basis again. Plus the coaches there have been extremely patient as I cannot count the number of times I have asked them to demonstrate skills because I have no idea what they are asking me to do. And I have to thank them for dealing with my awkwardness when saying goodbye and hello. Do I kiss them on the cheek, do I not? Is a wave sufficient?
6. This video – A big thank you to my gringa-crossfit buddy, Katie, for showing it to me. It still makes me crack up even though I joined a crossfit gym myself.
7. Laughter – Laughter in general. Super important. Super thankful for everyone who has even just made me smile during my time here in Chile.
8. Friends – To all of the new friends I have made here in Chile and to all of my friends back at home in the US, thank you. I know I’m weird, so thanks for putting up with me. I question your sanity because you are friends with me.
9. Surfing and trekking – I suck at both, but I have a new found love for those two activities. Shout out to my Chilepo friends! Surfs up brah.
10. My parents
11. …12…13…

…100. And one more time…my parents.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Location: Providencia, Santiago, Chile

1. There is a chart in this blog post. I know it is scary and looks boring, but push through.
2. If you are not my parents, you have no obligation to read this post.
3. I have not written in a while so I apologize if my thoughts are a little cluttered. I feel like I tried to shove a bunch of ideas into one post. I prefer to blame any grammar, spelling, or other mistakes on the late hour at which I am writing this.
4. I’m sorry, Mom.

During my Chilean Culture class, the professor lectured about the poverty rate in Chile. I don’t know about you, but when a bunch of statistics are being thrown my way, they don’t really sink in or have any meaning for me unless I have some sort of context or basis for comparison. Well then the professor put the data for poverty rates in Chile next to those of the U.S. Guess what. The United State poverty rate is higher than that of Chile. What really hit me was when he showed this graph:

This graph is not mine. I’m not saying it’s mine. It’s just not mine. It was taken from José G. Díaz’s lecture at Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile for the class Seminario de Cultura Chilena on November 2, 2015.

So take the median income of someone living in the U.S. We will call this person Mel Median. Half the country is making more than Mel and half the country making less than her. Now take Mel’s income and divide it by 2. This is the income of Poor Pete. Poor Pete is living on the poverty line. Anyone with Poor Pete’s income or less is considered poor like Pete. This graph shows the Poor Petes of 34 countries plus what the OECD thinks Poor Pete’s income should be. Now you would expect that U.S. Poor Pete would have an income similar to Poor Petes with whom U.S. Poor Pete can relate – for example, New Zealand Poor Pete, British Poor Pete, and Canadian Poor Pete – other Poor Petes from “developed” countries. Well guess what. They don’t. U.S. Poor Pete’s income isn’t even close to the other Petes with whom he thought he could relate. U.S. Poor Pete on this chart is snuggled right between Turkish Poor Pete and Chilean Poor Pete. Turkish Poor Pete and Chilean Poor Pete hail from countries which U.S. Poor Pete considers “developing.” I as well as U.S. Poor Pete were quite shocked by this data in class the other day. Now, I’m not saying that this rule is perfect. This method for determining the poverty line definitely has its flaws. And I’m not saying that countries surrounding the U.S. don’t have other problems (for example in Chile, a high income inequality) that can affect their positions on the chart. However, it does portray a basic picture of where the U.S. stands among other countries.

So why do we call other countries “developing” and ourselves “developed” when we share many of the same issues. Why must we put other countries below us? Why is U.S. Poor Pete any better than Chilean or Turkish Poor Pete? Why are we going to “save” Latin American Poor Petes and other Poor Petes of the world through volunteer work while we ourselves need saving? (Disclaimer: I think volunteering in foreign countries is a great opportunity as long you realize why you are doing it. You are helping yourself to an experience of traveling and living abroad just as much, if not more than you are helping others.)

When my friends and family think about me studying abroad in Chile, many of them think I’m living in another world. Chile is classified as a developing country, which I think causes many of them to believe that I am indeed living in another world. Developing countries are “dangerous” and “scary.” While I am definitely a culprit for thinking this way, especially when I first arrived, you have to realize how many people are terrified to go to the U.S. because it is dangerous. One of my peers recently expressed her fear to go back to the U.S. because of racial tension at her school which she fears could lead to gun violence. That is right. She is scared to go back to the U.S. I can guarantee her biggest fear in Santiago is getting her wallet stolen. Yeah it’s a pain to have your money and credit card stolen, even your passport. But when your options are passport versus life, I think most people would chose passport. So once again, how is the U.S. any better than Chile or any other country for that matter?

I bring these points up not just because of my class, but also because my mom will not allow my sister to come visit me. Yeah that is right, Mom. I am calling you out. I found a super cheap, direct flight from the U.S. to Santiago and wanted my 16 year-old sister to visit me because she is studying Spanish in high school right now and seems to really enjoy it. She could be dropped off at the airport in the U.S. and I could pick her up directly at the Santiago airport – no connections, just my Mom’s hands to mine. But my Mom said no. Her reasoning is that she cannot send my little sister alone and cannot take off work to come with her. But why can’t my little sister come alone? If I were studying abroad in Spain, I feel like my mom would be much more inclined to let her travel by herself.

It is easy to focus on the differences between the U.S. and another country, but I ask you to look at the similarities because there are many. Look at ourselves, the United States, before judging another country. My mom might see this as a last ditch effort for her to allow my little sister to come visit me, but hey…can you blame a big sis for wanting to see her little sis.

P.S. Just to summarize everything you just read because it is late and I don’t exactly know what I just wrote:

1. I’m not saying that you can go prancing around Chile without a care in the world. But I’m also not saying that you can go prancing around the U.S. without a care in the world.
2. Mom, let Lanie come to Chile.
3. Sorry for being your obnoxious middle child. I want you to come to Chile too, but one is better that none.

Location: San Joaquin, Santiago, Chile

I traveled to Pucón solo as a reward for finishing my homework and it was incredible! On my last day, I got to hike up Volcano Quetrupillán. Most physically challenging day of my life. But as they say in Chile, vale la pena!

Just out of the woods at the base of the volcano

What a view!

We made it:

At the summit:

Sledding down:

What a day!

Add it to your bucket list. And by that I mean drop whatever you are doing and go. Right now.

Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

To start our third day off in San Pedro, we had a fun but relaxing morning eating ice cream and playing on the playground.

Different but delicious ice cream flavors

Dat landscape doe

We are children and we are proud of it

In the afternoon we went to Termas de Puritama and boy were they relaxing. It was freezing and I could not get myself to change into my swimsuit. Then once I was in the water, I couldn’t get myself to get out.

Valley leading down to the hot springs

Selfie in the hot springs

And back to San Pedro we went.

Location: Termas de Puritama, Chile

First thing in the morning my friend Callie and I were off to the National Flamingo Reserve and boy was it beautiful. After passing through the town of Toconao, we arrived at the reserve, walked around, and ate breakfast served.

National Flamingo Reserve

As part of our breakfast, we drank coca tea to prevent altitude sickness. Yes, coca is the plant used to make cocaine. No, the tea does not get you high. We also packed caramelos de coca (hard candies with coca leaves in them) for later in the day just in case we starting feel sick.

Tea made from coca leaves called mate

Next we stopped in a town called Socaire to look at a church and the landscape. Special farming techniques were used in the area because of the dry conditions. We had learned that the natives from this area had been using these techniques for ages in our Native Cultures class, so it was cool to see in person.

Church in Socaire

Rica-rica plant, also used to brew tea to help with altitude sickness

Stepped land to farm in the dry and hilly area

And then we were off to Lagunas Altipanicas, the main show. I’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves. It felt like I was standing in a painting.

Even prettier in person

The lake sparked like Edward Cullen. EDWARD CULLEN!

I swear it is real and not painted

We left the lakes and headed back towards San Pedro.

The little guy we met on our way back from Lagunas Altiplanicas

Looks like someone’s a little tired…

Tropic of Capricorn

We were back in San Pedro after stopping for ice cream in Toconao for a short rest and some lunch before heading off the the afternoon’s activities. First we went to Valle de la Luna.

Valle de la Luna

The white stuff is salt

On our way out of Valle de the Luna we stopped to go on a short spelunking adventure. Callie was hesitant because she a little claustrophobic, but she made it through.

Caving adventures! Callie is scared…

And off the Valle de la Muerte we went!

Selfie in Valle de le Muerte

And finally to watch the sun set over the valley.

Very pretty sunset but…

…way too many people.

I wasn’t expecting too much from the Lagunas Altiplanicas and absolutely amazed. But I had very high expectations for the valleys and ended up being slightly disappointed with the crowds of people. If I did it over again, I would go to the valleys on bike and see the sunset from a different location without the hundreds of people. All in all an amazing day.

Location: Valle de la Luna