Trojans Abroad: Latin America

My host parents made me f eel like I truly had a home in Chile. It’s one thing to travel to places and stay in hotels/Airbnbs, but living in a Chilean couple’s apartment with them made it feel like I was a part of their family. I truly felt safe and cared for in their apartment and knew that I had a loving home to return to each day and after each trips, and a happy couple who would be excited to welcome me back.

I loved my all my roommates. I got super close with all of them and Amanda, our Brazilian roommate, loved to show us around the city, and teach us new words.

Studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador was a dream come true! As a student at la Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) with IES Quito, I made amazing friends and delved into global south perspectives. Ecuador, a hidden gem, offered breathtaking hikes and volcano climbs. My time there was unforgettable, and I can’t wait to return to its stunning landscapes!

The program reminded me why I love environmental science so much, the impact that I want to have on the world, and the opportunities that are out there for me to pursue a career in this field.

Top it all off with city life in Santiago, a plethora of natural wonders scattered throughout the country, and some of the world’s best (and cheapest) wine and pisco tasting excursions, and you end up with an amazing experience awaiting of you.

Alongside Chilean students, I studied the language (Mapuzugun) and learned about the various issues facing the Mapuche today. Back in Santiago, I spent a lot of my free time dancing. I joined a salsa club at the university where I met a lot of Chileans and other exchange students. A typical Friday night for us was spent at the salsoteca.

While studying abroad, I was able to take courses for my Philosophy, Politics, and Law major and my Spanish minor. I also learned how to talk about law in Spanish and identify differences between the American and Argentinian legal systems.