This blog post was written by United Planet volunteer Laurie Lundeen during her Volunteer Quest in Chile.

When the sunrise over the snow-capped Andes welcomed me to Chile, I knew I was in for a truly humbling and life-changing experience.  I was not disappointed.

As it had rained the night before my arrival, the normally smog-filled skies of Santiago were crystal clear.  I was able to capture photographs showcasing the natural beauty of the sprawling metropolis.  With each picture that I took, I was reminded that I was far from the flat plains of Indiana.

In Santiago during the first week of my quest, I traveled to my English-teaching assignment with my host sister, Elizabeth.  Every morning she would guide me to the “colectivo” station (shared taxi) which we would take to her school.  At her school, I worked with two English teachers who were responsible for teaching English to pre-kindergarten students through seniors in high school.  As a teacher in the United States, I observed that these teachers have a heavy teaching workload.  In addition to preparing for several different classes, these teachers also moved from room to room, carrying their teaching materials with them.  This is very different than the middle/high schools in the United States where the students usually change rooms. Also, my assigned school had only female students, thus giving me a different perspective on classroom dynamics.

The children I worked with were wonderful.  Some were very hesitant to speak English to me while others wanted to practice as much as possible.  I was fortunate to help some high school students with an oral presentation about their future careers.  The drive and motivation of these girls really impressed me.

For the second week of my quest, I traveled to Valparaíso.  I gave CAP presentations to students at a technical college who were studying English.  As I spoke, many students smiled and nodded.  I could tell they were learning something, which as an educator made me feel like I was making a difference.

During my two weeks in Chile, I was fortunate to live with two remarkable families.  Both of my host families opened their homes, hearts, and cultures to me.  They were so patient, really trying to slow down their pace of spoken Spanish so I could understand them.  I will always be grateful to them for their kindness and compassion.

My host families introduced me to Chilean foods and customs.  I grew fond of having “almuerzo” (a large lunch) and then later in the evening having “once” (a small meal).  They introduced me to “completos” (hot dogs topped with avocados, tomatoes, and mayonnaise), “sopaipillas” (fried bread but different from the Mexican version), and eating avocados on toast for breakfast.   Being that it was late fall in Chile, I learned that in order stay warm, wearing layers of clothing, including several pairs of socks, worked the best, as most Chilean homes and schools do not have central heating.

Throughout my quest, the generosity of the Chileans and the pride they have for their country instilled a sense of awe in me.  Whenever I needed help, such as getting the right seat on a bus or finding my way back home, someone was always there to help me.  Whenever I was introduced to someone new, he or she always spoke lovingly about his or her city and welcomed me to it.  I was lucky to be in Chile as they prepared for the World Cup soccer competition.  From commercials on television to merchandise being sold on the street, it was evident that Chileans are proud of their “fútbolistas.”

In short, every day in Chile was an experience I will never forget.  I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel there.  I am honored to have learned so much from so many wonderful, loving people.  A sunrise welcomed me to Chile, and a magnificent purple sunset over the Andes bid me farewell as I entered the airport for my journey back to the United States. Even though my quest is over, part of my heart will always remain in Chile.

Is your interest piqued? Visit our website to start planning your Chile Volunteer Quest!

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 9:50 am and is filed under Chile, Latin America, local culture, non-profit, United Planet, volunteer abroad, Volunteer Story. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.