Chilean Winery squad
Back to Columbus
I honestly was having withdrawal symptoms of missing Chile as soon as we were boarding the bus to leave for the airport. I didn’t want to say goodbye to the beautiful city, the culture, the food, nor the people of Chile. The first full day of coming back to Ohio, it was 35 degrees outside and raining. Not the best weather to come back to after being in 80 degree and sunny weather of Santiago. Although I do have to say that I am grateful we at least came back to rain and not snow.
The Santiago trip exceeded my expectations immensely. I not only gained an understanding of the Chilean culture and new sketching skills, but I also gained some amazing friendships along the way. Overall my two favorite parts of Chile was the nature and the importance of not being on your phone 24/7. I fell in love with the landscapes Chile incorporated throughout all of Santiago. Every street, every walk you took, you were surrounded by trees that bordered the road or trees/plants that created spaces or provided shade. There were numerous amounts of times when a lot of us wanted to be under the shade of a tree and it was provided no matter where we were. The importance of nature was really prevalent in Santiago, even their malls had openings to let in natural sunlight and fresh air.
I also enjoyed not having cellphone service in Chile and how in the Chilean culture, they really want you to not be on your phones and to experience the conversations and the surroundings you are in. One of the restaurants even had a place mat that outlined where to put your phone in order to not be on it. I appreciate the amount of importance Chile promotes to not be on your phone and wish America promoted it as well.
My experience of the Santiago study abroad trip has been one I will never forget and I hope one day, I will get to go back to see even more that I missed.
Your reflections on Santiago resonate so much with me! The natural landscapes, tree-lined streets, and the focus on meaningful human connections instead of screen time were also my favorite things about Chile. It’s amazing how much you can immerse yourself in the moment when you’re not glued to your phone. Back home in the U.S., I often miss those vibes, especially when it comes to dining experiences. That’s why I appreciate places like Texas Roadhouse—they balance great food with an atmosphere that encourages real conversation. Their Texas Roadhouse Menu is always a winner after a long day of reminiscing about past travels. I hope you get to visit Santiago again someday—such an inspiring trip!