Talk the talk

I am afraid. That is the simplest way I can describe my feelings about the trip. The closer we get to the departure date, the more real it becomes, and that's when I start making the list of what could go wrong. We are basically diving head first into a whole new world and that is pretty insane. (Aladdin pun not intended but appreciated). This is the craziest thing I have ever done and its like I'm ticking things off my bucket list all at once which is a plus. I'm nervous about the culture shock, the food, and the language. At first I was nervous about the language just because it was Spanish, but now the videos are kicking my butt. Chileans talk really fast. . . you mean faster than the people in the states that already talk to fast for me?!? Apart from the language, I'm most nervous that I won't have time to breathe abroad because there won't be a comfortable spot that I can go to relax. Everything will be different, but I am interested to see how similar we are as nations. The bottom line is that people are people no matter where you go, so I wonder what common ground I can find between me and my host family and the university students. 

 The slang videos were pretty funny to me because it reminded me of the talk I give my friends before they meet my family for the first time. They have an accent because we are originally from Georgia and sometimes a whole sentence may sound like its slurred all together like one word. I look forward to decoding the Spanish before I translate it and hope it doesn't slow me down too much. In the geography video they said that Chileans were different because they were cut off from the rest of South America because of the Andes so it is pretty cool that they were able to develop their own style that in present even in the language. I tried to explain to my mom the weon concept, but she just stared at me. I think that is how I will be looking at my host family for the first couple of days and that is already hilarious. 

 Even though I am scared and nervous, I am so hype for Chile. This is a trip I will get to tell my grandkids about, so I have to pack in as much excitement and culture as possible. This is going to be so. . . bacán!!
Image result for chilean weon

Comments

  1. Morgan Price Study AbroadDecember 20, 2017 at 8:23 PM

    I am on the same page as you- the closer we get, the more real it becomes. I am so preoccupied with so many other things right now that there are some moments that I forget I am leaving for Chile in a week! As exciting as it is, I am nervous as well, especially for the culture shock as this is my first time leaving the United States. I am ready to go into this experience with an open mind, but like you said, this is one of the craziest things I have ever done too!

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  2. UnknownDecember 20, 2017 at 8:39 PM

    I am scared as well but I think that is natural. I am sure that once we step foot in Chile fear will go away and it will be such a breathe-taking and fun-filled trip!

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  3. AnonymousDecember 20, 2017 at 9:21 PM

    I am also super nervous about the trip but extremely excited! I think this is a super cool opportunity and just know that you're not alone! All of us from Lynchburg have something in common; that we are in a completely new setting, so everything you are experiencing, all of us are too! I know a decent amount of Spanish, and I am still nervous that it won't be enough, or that I won't sound like I know Spanish, but I am trying to go in with an open mind. And aside from the nerves, I am really really excited.

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  4. catlyf3December 22, 2017 at 2:26 PM

    I'm super nervous about my host family asking me a question and me not understanding!! I don't want to sound rude repeatedly asking them "huh?? What??," but it comes with the territory studying aboard in place that isn't your first language.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownDecember 26, 2017 at 8:46 PM

    I'm really excited to be immersed into the new culture of Chile as well! It is nerve racking but I wouldn't be so nervous about it I'm sure we will all have a great time! Look forward to meeting you soon!!!

    ReplyDelete

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