La Despedida*

Packing up and leaving Chicago has been a lot harder than I expected.  To be honest, I’ve had a few good cries along the way.  I’m going to miss the city I’ve grown to love and call home — especially the people who have made it all worthwhile.  But alas, I had to take this opportunity.  A quote from Mark Twain comes to mind and this sort of mindset influenced my decision to study abroad.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.”

Many people wonder why I chose to study abroad in Santiago, Chile, of all places.  I did so for many reasons, some of which include:

• I wanted to study in a Spanish-speaking country to improve my fluency in the Spanish language.
• Loyola University Chicago has an affiliate program with Universidad Alberto Hurtado, which also provides a Jesuit education — something I have grown to appreciate.
• I have the opportunity to live with a host family, allowing myself to become better immersed in the local culture versus if I were to live with other Americans.
• Both Santiago and Chile are extremely beautiful and include a wide range of geographical landscapes.

As I embark on my journey, I face a mixture of emotions.  I’m excited, nervous, and scared; but I’m more excited than anything.  I want to experience all that is Chilean.  I’m anxious to be on my way, for I have a long trip ahead of me: 12 hours and 15 minutes of travel time, including a layover in Dallas, Texas.

¡Adiós amigos! Abrazos y besos.

*Originally written on January 10, 2013