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Stephanie Battista
Stephanie Battista is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Chile.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
Without a doubt the highlight of my Chile trip was joining the basketball team at the school we attended (Universidad de Adolfo Ibañez). Only one other girl from my study abroad program joined it with me and it was TERRIFYING to catch a bus to the Naval School which was a city away to figure out where practice was being held. Luckily, we got the courage to go and I am so happy we did. The basketball girls were incredibly friendly and welcoming, especially because some of them had studied abroad themselves and they know what it's like to be the exchange students. Those girls became my best friend on the trip. I got invited to spend Independence Day with one of my teammates at a cabin with all of her friends. Unforgettable. I also met some of the girls' families and got invited to spend time at their houses. We also had a TON of basketball asados (bbqs). All these experiences are my most cherished cultural experiences of my trip. I am still in contact with most of the girls on my team and hope to make a trip back down there to visit them in a year or so!
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
It sounds cheesy but the primary reason I wanted to study abroad was for the amazing experience. How many people can say they studied in another country for four months? I really wanted a program that was unique, would put me outside my comfort zone and had the Spanish element to it. I knew Chile was the program for me right away because I have always thought of South America as a unique and interesting place. Also, the Chile program offered home stays and placed us in a Chilean University which provided me with the opportunity to meet Chilean students and join activities at the school. Both of these elements were very appealing because it allowed me the option to meet and build relationships with the people of that country. I knew living by myself with a family would definitely put me outside of my comfort zone and would teach me independence and would greatly improve my Spanish skills.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
Obviously I am biased to think that Chile is the best program that CSB-SJU offers, but I truly think that. The Chile trip has so much to offer: home stays, a local university experience, a week-long trip to the driest desert in the world, day excursions to surrounding towns, service learning/ volunteer opportunities at local schools, hospitals, and orphanages, not to mention locations in a gorgeous city full of plenty of things to do and conveniently located on the pacific ocean. I can assure you that you will never run out of things to do or people to meet in Chile.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
People will tell you before you leave for study abroad that it will change you, and I knew it would but not as drastically as it did. I am glad to say, I am the same person as I was before I left, I stayed true to myself the whole time, I just am a new and improved version :) The first way I changed was becoming more independent. Because I lived on my own, I had to learn to do a lot of things by myself. I had to learn how to master the city bus system (how we got to school). I carried a map with me at all times just in case I got lost. I would have to walk by myself to go meet people throughout the city. I also learned how to socialize with Chileans without the comfort of my American friends being around all the time! Another way I grew was being confident in myself. I feel that study abroad teaches you a lot about yourself and I realized if I am confident in myself, it is easier to meet people and be more outgoing! The last way I grew was obviously in my Spanish social skills. It's hard to go on this trip and not improve your Spanish but there is a clear difference between the people that only speak in class and with their families, and the people that really try hard to put themselves out there and learn as much as they can; I did my best to do that. I don't think I realized how much I improved until my Chilean friends commented on how much my Spanish improved from the first week! Also, my mom speaks Spanish and she noticed a huge difference in my language skills. I wouldn't quite call myself fluent just yet but Chile definitely helped me become WORLDS better.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
If you decided to go on the Chile trip the best advice I can give to you is to put yourself out there as much as possible. Join a club or sport at the school, get to know your host family, be friendly with the locals (but not too friendly haha), and don't ever back down from an activity that you want to do, just do it! I promise you that the more you put yourself out there, the more you will get out of this trip.