“It was important for me to go abroad to fully immerse myself in a new culture. I am concentrating on Latin America for my Spanish double major, and it was important to me to experience first-hand the region I am studying. I also hope to work in Latin America one day, and Chile felt like the right place to begin my adventure,” reflected Eryne Schneider on the Discover with WorldStrides: Summer Spanish Language & Latin American Studies at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaíso program.
Schneider is spending the summer taking Spanish language courses and volunteering with the Instituto Chileno Norteamericano de Cultura de Valparaíso as a language partner, assisting in teaching English as a second language.
“This experience will help me immensely in my career linguistically and logistically. I’ve practiced and learned so much about the Spanish language while in Chile. My fluency has grown exponentially, and I’ve learned and adapted well to a new dialect. Chile is also a place I would like to work one day, and I’ve made many valuable connections. I’ve gained valuable transferable skills and have a more informed worldview that will elevate my career wherever I go,” said Schneider.
Along with the practical career and academic skills that Schneider has gained on the program, her personal development skills like independence and problem solving has also improved, things that will be beneficial in any field.
“I learned that I can create community wherever I go and connect well with others. Studying abroad has taught me that it is more about the people you meet rather than the places you find that make it special. I’ve shown that I can be adaptable and apply effective leadership skills in new environments. This program has made me feel that I can learn and make a home anywhere I go and grow personally and professionally,” she shared.
Out of the incredible experiences this summer, some of Schneider’s favorite included exploring Chile’s stunning natural features and connecting with her host family.
“Some of the most memorable moments so far have been riding horses through the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina, surfing at La Boca Beach in Concón, seeing the sea lions on the port in Valparaíso after class, and having "completo" nights for “once” with my host family. I’ve also enjoyed learning to knit with my host mom and going for sunset walks on the beach with my friends after coffee.”