Chillin' in Chile

Hey Everyone!
So although this post is called Chillin' in Chile, that is kind of the opposite of what I'm doing. A more accurate title would be "Workin' my little bum off to write a 30 page paper in Spanish...in Chile" But I thought this title was much more clever and I won't be here that much longer so I had to use it. Actually I will be home in exactly 3 weeks from yesterday. And the program ends in exactly 2 weeks. Its so weird that its so close to being over! I can't believe it. Craziness! And I think I am definitely ready to be home now. With all this work and Thanksgiving tomorrow I am definitely feeling a little homesick. And I'm having trouble not procrastinating but that's nothing new. haha.

But back to working my bum off. Yeah, it's been crazy doing this whole ISP thing but awesome. Two weeks ago I went back to the Special ed school Edmundo de Amisis to observe and do interview there and then all last week I was visiting schools in Temuco. So far I have gone to 4 schools and done tons of interviews. Its really exhausting and nerve-racking to go to the schools but it has definitely been challenging but very interesting. And so far, for the most part I have been impressed with the level of special education inclusion here. There is definitely a lack of economic resources and they could use a lot more teachers, but for the most part I think the attitude of inclusion is there and the teachers are all super compassionate towards there students. They have also been really open to having me in the classrooms and interested in what I'm doing in their school. I was even able to help give lunch to some of the students with more severe problems.
Alexis



It was also amazing to be able so spend another week with my Mapuche family and with Sophie too who is also doing her project in Temuco. I felt like I got even closer with my family and had a blast while I was there. My madre taught me how to make her bread and Sopapillas and Empanadas. And of course Sophie and I had a blast making the sopapillas into the shape of hearts, Chile, and the US. Haha. But I feel like I miss my Mapuche family already. My siblings are so fun and I feel like I now have all these inside jokes with them and I really felt part of their family. Its really sad to leave them but I hope someday they can visit the US. They will always hold a special place in my heart. My Mapuche Family

Making bread


Its good to be back in Santiago though too. I gave my family the game Pass the Pigs so that is going to be fun to play with them. I also feel super close to my two hermano's here. So its going to be so sad to leave them in two weeks. I can't believe its almost over ah! I have so many mixed feelings about it too. AH.

But in the mean time I'm going to keep truckin' on my ISP paper. I've got 10 pages written so that's definitely a good start.

Peace and Love,
Kimi