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Donald Pavelka
Donald Pavelka is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Chile.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
During a group lunch at a restaurant in Valparaiso, a story came up on the news that the trapped miners were alive. We started to watch it. The workers at the restaurant turned up the volume on the television so that everyone could hear, and people started to come in from off the street to listen to the story. This experience really gave me a sense of the national pride that Chileans have. I'll never forget what it was like watching everyone come together around the news.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I wanted to study abroad because I wanted a different view on the world. The best way in my opinion to do that is by traveling around and seeing how different interpret and deal with the problems of the world today. I chose the Chile program because the family stay immersed me in a different lifestyle. I got to live and see the world the Chilean way. The Chile trip also worked great for my major because all the classes can contribute to it, and there is a lot of opportunities to speak Spanish.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
It was a great experience filled with lots of opportunities to grow as a Spanish speaker and a global citizen. The trip will force students to be more independent because they are living by themselves with a Chilean family instead of with other members of the study abroad group. Living with the families is a great way to make local friends, practice speaking, and learn about Chilean culture.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
The trip has made me aware of how different each country in Latin America is from the others. I learned a lot about the Chilean culture, and in my classes, I learned how this culture is different from those of other countries. I now have a deeper cultural understanding of the Chilean culture and no longer group the people of Latin America into one stereotype.
Also, the trip has made me a lot better at Spanish. I frequently find myself thinking in Spanish.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
Make the most of everyday abroad. It'll go by really quick, and you will miss it a lot when it is gone. Don't be afraid to try new things because you may not get a chance to try it again in your life.