As I sit here writing this blog in Dallas, I realized thatI have never been to Texas before! Even though my first impression of the city was over priced airport hummus and Donald Trump merch, I’m sure the city is great. Speaking of new experiences, I’m soooooo stoked to finally be in chile! It feels like I’ve been waiting forever (since October is esentially forever) for this! Although my Spanish is truly pathetic and I get way too uncomfortable in new places, I’m so excited to emerse myself into Santiago and let it makes its mark on me. Although I’m mostly excited, I’m also more nervous for this trip than I have been for other international trips I’ve taken in the past. Chile is a very different place than Europe, and the culture is very brand new and unfamiliar territory to me. I’m trying to see the benefits of this new experience, but overall I can’t help but be a little nervous for this adventure we are about to embark on. I’m trying to remind myself that most everyone has the same fears as I do, and we will help each other overcome those obstacles. See you in Chile compadres!

Waiting for our flight to Dallas at CMH, we are ready to go!

I m really excited about this trip as we are going to studying many pieces of architectures and landscapes. Also we are traveling in a huge group. Many concerns about this trip due to the number of people are thought about during the little talks right now. I am thinking if our trip would be time efficient enough for sightseeing or else since we might spent much time on lines and walking along the street also making sure that we are not losing anyone!

But overall I think it is gonna be a fun trip because we have learned a lot about the culture and city during class. Some basic Spanish in language were also taught in class so at least we won’t be lost in Santiago! Among those iternary I would think about the free day arrangement most since We need to schedule on our own. I am thinking about going to the beach or hiking on the hills but haven’t decided. But definitely I would try some tasty Chilean food in local Santiago. Street drinks had been mentioned many times when I read a tour guide to Santiago. I think that wold be another cool option!

This is my first time out of the country, so I am very excited about being able to go to South America and getting a stamp in my passport. This plane ride will also be the longest plane ride I’ve ever been on. The preparation of packing for this trip started on Tuesday afternoon, I rummaged through all of my clothes, figuring out outfits for the nice weather. I found myself up at 3 am with an idea of what I should wear but nothing, truly packed. Wednesday I went to Target to shop for all of the extra things that I needed for the trip like travel size toothpaste etc. Thursday night, I actually packed, folded all of my clothes and double checked my suitcase to make sure I had everything at around 4 am. For the past few days I haven’t been getting that much sleep, so I was hoping that during our 9 hour flight from Dallas to Santiago I’m asleep.

So preparing for this trip hasn’t been bad at all but I’m currently at Gate 25 waiting to board the plane. I’m also extremely tired, so it probably explains why I ordered the wrong type of pretzels for my friend at Auntie Ann’s while I was doing food run. But it’s about 16 min before the plane departs so, currently I am excited, tired and optimistic about what I will see in Santiago. I am also really excited to see the homes and ocean in Valparaiso, the view of the Andes Mountains and I really want to go to Cerro Santa Lucía.

As the time between me and Santiago decreases, I am getting more and more excited. The closer I get, the more I am able to figure out what specifically I am excited about. One of the things I am most excited about, the one that keeps coming back into my mind, is the food. I am so excited to eat and try new meals while on the trip. I have never really been able to experience a different cultures food. Even while in London, I wasn’t able to really able to be adventurous with the food, because fried fish is pretty much the same everywhere. Being so close to the Pacific as well as being in wine country, means I will be able to really indulge in great seafood and wine combinations. While at school, I never really have seafood, and I definitely don’t partake in high quality wine. This will be a new way for me to be adventurous.

This trip will be a very refreshing break from my time at school, which tends to devolve into a routine week by week. I can’t wait to be pushed out of my comfort zone and be able to experience new things.

I didn’t expect most of this blog post to be about food but I am pretty hungry so I guess it turned into that pretty quickly.

I am excited and nervous to go to Santiago. I am excited to be immersed in the Spanish language and Hispanic culture, but nervous about understanding the accent. I am excited about traveling to somewhere new, but nervous about having everyone stick together. I am excited about meeting new people and making new friendships, but nervous about trying certain new things (foods, traditions, etc.). It’ll be a great experience and I’ll be able to learn a lot from it.

I am eager to try new sketching techniques and practice faster sketching. It’ll be great to capture moments and images through sketches rather than through photos. My goal of the trip is to improve my sketching abilities. It has been 3 years since I practiced sketching on a more regular basis. However, I have found a greater value in sketching and would like to practice more often.

During my free time I want to explore other buildings by Elemental. For example, I was very interested in learning about the housing project they worked on. Another activity I would like to try are some wineries near Santiago. With a growing wine industry, it would be nice to compare it to what we have in the United States. I am also open to spontaneous adventures around the city after our days are over. I am looking forward to studying abroad in South America.

Hey everyone hope you all are as excited about this trip as I am! I have never done a study abroad trip so this is going to be a great experience. I also have never let the country before, so this definitely where 99% of  my excitement is coming from. Chile is going to be the escape from the unpredictable winter weather that is currently happening here in Ohio.  The trip is also like reward after the long week that I had. Before this trip I had a review in studio… killed it, a review in graphics…. thanks Troy, and a midterm for this morning for Jackie. Pretty sure after all of this a trip to anywhere is the world is warranted. Also, I have told them before but I have to thank my friends Patricia and Paityn. If it was not for them I probably would not have even went on this trip. From the beginning, Autumn 2016, they have been there for me. They kept me in my toes made sure that I was up-to-date on everything for this class.   At times, in my eyes, they were like older sisters; despite me being older than both of them. I know I don’t always show it but I am so grateful that they encouraged me to go on this trip.

In roughly an hour we will depart Columbus and I am extremely excited to be able to partake in this adventure with everyone! There are so many things that I am looking forward to on this trip. First and foremost, I think everyone, including myself, are excited to be able to be going to a place where it is summer and we will see green on the trees! I expect to come back with a nice tan! Furthermore, I’m excited to immerse myself in a culture that is so different than our own. I’m eager to try news foods, try to muster up some Spanish phrases (my Spanish is pretty bad, so this should be interesting), visit so many innovative and enthralling architectural locations, and make many memories that will last a lifetime. On this trip, I hope to advance my sketching skills by analyzing the architectural sites and buildings that we will be looking at, learn a lot about sustainable building practices and design (something I am very interested in), be inspired by this foreign culture, and become a more confident and independent traveler. I have not planned anything for our free day, or our free time in the evening, but I will use the 12 hour plane ride to come up with some ideas! Safe travels everyone!

Chile is going to be excellent. Having already traveled to South America before, I am very interested in studying the city in comparison to Rio de Janeiro. There are so many lines of symmetry between the two cultural capitals: an urban landscape interrupted by natural barriers, a political climate marked by active protests, and a recent breakout into the world architecture stage. I am excite to tease out the unique nuances of Santiago and Chile.

Being a senior is going to be a fun experience on this trip as well. I remember looking up to the presence of Brett and Sarah, two upperclassmen on my first study abroad, and opening up in response to their easygoing attitude. I hope that I can bring that example to the Santiago group, living that balance of discipline and fun around my peers.

Culturally, I want to investigate the country’s history of colonialism and Catholicism and its response and remixing today. I have always been interested in how the Midwest’s contemporary culture has been shaped by colonial visions of the landscape, and I have seen evidence of a similar relationship between modern-day Chile and Spanish colonialism. It is perhaps the tension of this and other forces that gravitates me to the culture of Santiago, and South America as a whole.

I can’t believe it’ll be less than a day before I’ll be looking over a plane wing on Chilean ground. I am humbled at the opportunity to commune with this group as we read the urban cursive of Santiago together.

Hola! I am currently in the airport waiting for our first flight to Dallas. It has been a busy week with two reviews and an exam so the excitement for this trip did not settle in until I finished the history exam this morning. Now, I can not think of anything else other then finally landing in Santiago, Chile. I’m excited to visit San Cristobal and to experience the change in weather. I woke up to a harsh slap in the face of cold winds so the Chilean heat will be a warm welcome. I am also excited to get settled into our hotel and explore the area of Providencia.

This will be my first study abroad program and it’s been a long time since I have travelled international. So far, things are smooth sailing and the process was not bad. Hopefully the rest of the trip will run just as well. The wait for our flight hasn’t felt too bad since I have good company with me and an order of Auntie Anne’s original pretzel nuggets with light cream cheese. I am excited to get on the plane and check out the Dallas airport for awhile before our final flight to Chile. Safe travels to all!

As part of my final act of my time at The Ohio State University, I have the honor and privilege to travel to a part of the world I have never yet seen.  I am beyond excited to give the study abroad trip one last go, knowing full well I will have soon have experiences I will look back on fondly for years to come.  I have learned quite a few things in my time abroad, and the most important is the ability to balance expectations.  Having a plan is well and good, but so is the flexibility of meeting the unknown with the candor spirit and open attitude.  My best experiences abroad have been ones where little expectations were made prior.  I have become one with that scary space, between the known and unknown, the expected and unexpected, knowing well I can bounce off and reflect the passion and the energy of my peers in an unfamiliar place.  I am ever comfortable in the shoes of the stranger in a strange land, knowing well the opportunities to adapt, learn, and explore are endless.  I take with me this philosophy as I step on the airplane which take me across the country and closer to my final destination, Santiago!

Well, this week has been one of the busiest most stressful weeks yet, but here we are sitting in the Columbus airport on our way to Santiago! With 2 final reviews, an exam, two papers and two all-nighters, I have never needed a break as much as I do now. The airport was kind of hectic as it usually is, but we’re finally sitting down and ready to go. I am super excited to explore a new culture and new city but I am also slightly worried about the language. And even though I took 4 years of Spanish in high school, my Spanish skills are “beginner” at most. I am very excited to try new foods and experience the vibrant culture that Santiago and Valparaiso have to offer. I am also very excited to explore the different and wide variety of landscapes that Chile has to offer from the Andes, to the city to the coast. Of course, I am also very excited to see the sun, but I am sure I will think it is very hot once we get there. As I sit in the airport eagerly awaiting to board the plane, I am already thinking of different things to sketch and map out while there. In 18 short hours we will be in Santiago and I can’t wait!

As I scramble to write this pre-departure blog post, it still does not feel like we are about to board a plane to Dallas and then on to Santiago. I was up all night packing, unpacking, and rearranging, while simultaneously trying to walk my roommates and family through the itinerary. I scored major adult points before leaving because I went and got a haircut (a fresh look for a fun trip), called the bank, and even made my coffee and breakfast for myself and my roommates. I am also looking forward to watching different movies on the plane ride; my options include Moana (my sister’s most recent purchase on our family’s account), Star Trek Beyond and The Huntsman: Winter’s War. I may also purchase a book here, at the airport, in order to regain come level of intellect following a week of midterms.

While the flight is a little daunting, I am constantly reminded of what waits for us when we land by the excited faces and conversations of my classmates. I look forward of seeing the architecture, art, and culture but even more excited to hear about everyone’s unique experiences and their opinions. Furthermore, I can’t wait to hear the different stories form our free day, whether it be about a day meandering through a vineyard, hiking in the Andes, or even laying out at the beach. I am sure that this is going to be the trip of a life time and it’s only one hour away.

The past 24 hours have been super busy, so I’m just now getting to write this at the airport. I’m really excited to be heading to Santiago today! It’s always a surreal feeling before travelling as though it’s not actually happening. I’m very excited for the food. I went with Serena to Sidebar this past weekend to try some of the food that they had and it was really great. I’m excited and nervous for the weather. I’m sure it’s beautiful, but I’m definitely going to be applying sunscreen constantly. The building I’m probably most excited for is the monastery, however there are a lot of great places on the itinerary. I’m not completely sure what I’ll be doing on the free day, but I definitely want to see the Aravena housing if we can’t see it during the week. There’s also a realy cool church in Maipu (Templo Votivo or Santuario Nacional) that I’d like to get to. I’m nervous for having to butcher my way through the Spanish language, so hopefully enough people speak English or I’m able to recall enough to sound somewhat intelligible. I can’t wait to finally be in the country, because airports and flying is stressful.

I am most excited about eating the food and warm weather in Santiago. I love trying different foods, despite my food allergies, and will be willing to try anything that I can eat. I am also excited to see the different landscapes in Chile. While I am most excited about the beaches, I will be eager for the mountains as well. On the free day I would love to visit some of the housing projects, and go to the beach. I also am eager to see the museum of memory to learn more about the history and culture of Santiago. In the evenings I can’t wait to experience the nightlife and see what Chilean culture is really about.

One thing I am nervous about is the flight. I have a hard time falling asleep on airplanes and have a lot of anxiety with flying. This will only be second time out of the country and haven’t flown much in my lifetime. Another anxiety I have is managing my food allergy with the language barrier. I have tried my best to learn how to say if something has nuts in it in Spanish. I’ve done plenty of research on the food and am excited to indulge in it.

This is 11:29am on March 10th. I have arrived airport and waiting all of you guys. I just finished two exams and an essay last night and packed my stuff at night. I am little bit exhausted but still very excited flying to Chile. I am little bit annoyed about taking flight because that is suffered. So I decided to download some games and videos in iPad. Hope that can help me spend some times when I am in the flight. I just saw Amiee posted some pictures about breakfast in hotel and that looks so great! I am excited to visit to South America and experience their landscape and their culture,and their food! Columbus was snow last night and it is a little bit chill this morning. I cannot wait to experience the warm weather in Chile!

This is the second time I travel with school and classmates. Last time was when I was in high school and we traveled to east coast cities in the US. That was an unforgettable experience. traveling with school is amazing because we can learn different things comparing with traveling as a tourist.

Hope every people can have a great experience in chile. And see you guys in the airport!

Just a few hours and I’m about to fly to Chile. So excited about every chanellage in Santiago, as I read a lot about Santiago from the book lonely planet of chile section, I really looking forward to visiting this diversified city. Another amazing thing I would like to claim is that this is a trip with my classmates! I usually travel with parents or a few friends, this is the very first time I travel with a large group of people, there’s a little bit concern of how can we be quite when in public space and be active when in some occasions where needs participation, showing good manners is one way to solve my concern. So wish everyone could have a good time in Chile! I’m interested in experiencing the underground metro system in Santiago. Because in my hometown, Shanghai, metro ways are really convenient, so I would like to explore more by comparing the metro systems. For the free day, the beach seems to be a good choice. The blue of the ocean and sky could always help me getting rid of brothering things in my life and encourage me to move on from more important things! Hope this trip will be one of my most precious experience!

When I’m in Santiago, I am most excited to visit the various parks and landscapes, including Cerro San Cristobal and Park de la Infancia. I’m also looking forward to visiting the Andes and the sea side towns, especially Vina del Mar. I’m excited to see the various examples of modern and sustainable architecture that we discussed in class. Because this is my first out of country experience, I’m most excited to be visiting a place different from the United States that has a different culture, language and atmosphere.

During our free time, I hope to immerse myself in the Chilean culture by exploring the city, landscapes, and trying local food including cazuelas and desserts such as alfajors. On our free day, I’m hoping to go to museums, one of the beaches, and visit towns that have street art. As a lover of fashion, I am interested in observing the clothing worn by both cosmopolitan city dwellers as well as traditional attire worn by locals.

I’m most concerned about my valuables being potentially stolen, so I’m going to do my best to take precautions. I’m also concerned that I may not be able to fall asleep during the flight, as I have never been on an overnight flight before.

     I am currently writing this post right before leaving to show up at Knowlton. I seem to always be doing things last minute, just like my packing that I finished five minutes ago. It’s hard to pack and get ready to travel abroad when you’re scatterbrained and unorganized like myself. I tried making a list to help me pack but honestly nothing can help me with the way that I am. I don’t want to sound like a baby, but this is the first time that I’m traveling out of the country without my mom and it’s making me a little nervous. She always has things under control and has everything packed and organized and I usually just have to be along for the ride. It feels a lot different to have to be doing everything on my own, but it does give me some comfort going with a group through school and especially a couple of my close friends.

     The one thing that is really stressing me out about this trip is the theft and fraud issue. I understand that this is a problem anywhere, but I’ve never had an issue in the past while traveling abroad. I will make sure to be extra careful with my belongings because I am worried but there is still that risk that something could happen. I’m most excited about seeing the different museums, street art, and different foods. Although I am a vegetarian, I have faith that there will be some delicious culturals meals that I can try. I’m also really excited to be going to the beach during some of my free time. I haven’t been able to go to a beach in probably three years. My Greek skin just doesn’t tan as well here in the states like it does in other parts of the world.

I am so excited! Its 9.30 am right now, I have everything packed, I don’t think I’m forgetting anything, and I ate a good breakfast! All I have to do now is download my podcasts and music for the plane (Anyone who is looking for a good podcast and is into science check out Skeptics Guide to the Universe)! Unfortunately, I need to do some studying on the plane. But whats a better motivator than being stuck in the same spot for 12 hours?

I think I am most excited for the Market, Valapariso, and for practicing my Spanish. I will definitely be trying grapes while I’m there and hopefully a lot of new food! I am also hoping to hike on our free day. I want to ask the guide about to get to, and where are, good trail heads. So if anyone else finds that interesting, let me know and we can try to work something out as a group 🙂 I’m still a little worried about money, but I don;’t think those fears will go away until I actually have Chilean money in my hand. This is going to be such an amazing trip and I am so excited to be spending spring break with everyone going.

See you all soon!

As I have packed my bags and charged all my devices, currently, my biggest worry is my two house plants. It sounds crazy but, as a proud cacti-mom, the unstable Ohio weather and complete distrust in my family’s ability to lookout for my plants has me worried for their safe being.

Where Santiago is concerned, I cannot be more excited. I’ve never been to another Latin American country before and I am excited to hear Spanish again! Of course, food is always something worth traveling for and the amazing places we are going to visit is super exciting! The art in Santiago is sure to be interesting; since most of Chilean art doesn’t travel, it will be a rare opportunity to see it in person.

As this ten-hour flight is rearing its head, I grow less excited. Being closed up in a cabin for that long of a period of time is not ever a good time. I’m hoping all of my homework and readings can at least tic-away the slow passing of time. So for the meantime, I will keep romanticizing out trip and play pretend American Airlines is capable of hyperdrive.

P.S.

I rechecked the plants. I’m 99% sure at least one of them is gonna die.

For the entire semester it seemed that this time was so far off, but now it’s suddenly here out of nowhere! I put off a lot of my packing, but I’m really not bringing as much as I thought I would be. This surely means that I am forgetting something, so I can’t wait to get to the hotel and figure out what.

As someone who gets motion sickness, I’m really not stoked for this ten hour flight. I’m hoping to cop a window seat and just sleep the entire time to be fully rested for when we land. The furthest I have flown is Mexico, so this will certainly be a new experience for me. I’m always ready for that airline food though.

One thing I hope to get a lot of in Chile is different foods. Latin American food is common within my family, but I hope to experience some things that I have never seen before. Similarly, I’m excited to compare and contrast the Chilean culture to what I’ve experienced with my family and in Mexico. The potential learning that can go on this week is limitless. Although I’m nervous about getting sick or lost, I’m sure that this trip will be a great success for all of us.

forgot to say during class today of breakfast at hotel. Scrambled eggs, plain and with ham, fruit and yogurt and cereals, toast, meats & queso blanco (cheese we had in class), coffee, teas & juices, it was good-

also, a few pictures of the metro 

I’ll send Santiago sunset photos from Costsnera Tower once uploaded

good luck getting ready to go!

aimee

This is it! The day before we get off to Santiago, but I still need to go my laundry and pack everything… what a wonderful day. I was terrified this afternoon that I almost can’t make it to Chile with you guys because of my VISA. However, I don’t need a VISA to go to Chile which means I am 100% safe now. Except for the hours of flight,  I am so excited to start this trip and it is also my first time to visit South America. I can’t wait to experience everything, the architecture, the culture, and the food. And I am so ready for the weather in Santiago, the nice warm summer time, but hopefully won’t get ten. Wish we all have a safe flight and hope everything run smoothly. This trip will be a great chance for me to enrich my overseas photography collection, being able to capture the beauty of Santiago just thrill me up badly. I might take the photo of everyone(it’s hard to avoid everyone ), so please let me know if you don’t like the camera facing you. I think the only thing that I am frightened by is the cable car… Suck it up! I can do it…I hope. And I am also praying for not having allergy during these days. Other than that, just get everything done and wait till tomorrow! 

It is the day before departure and while there is still so much to do this evening in order to get ready for Chile, I am so very excited about the trip! I think I am most excited about being immersed in another culture and getting to enjoy new experiences.  With regard to the architectural sites that we are visiting, I am most excited about seeing and experiencing the innovation center. I really enjoyed learning about this building in class, and I am greatly looking forward to seeing it in person.  I also cannot wait to try new foods!

On my free day I am thinking about going and sampling wines at one of the local winery’s. I think this would be a unique and fun experience as well as a relaxing way to end what I’m sure will be a very busy and exciting trip. This will be the third time that I have traveled outside the country. With regard to concerns for this trip, my main concern is the language barrier present in Chile. Previously, I have only traveled to English-speaking countries and while it is somewhat of concern, I feel better knowing that I am in a group setting where some members speak fluent Spanish.

There are a lot of things that I’m really excited to see and do in Santiago. The first is I’m really interested in seeing Elemental’s projects, because I think sustainability is really important, and as architects and engineers we should try and minimize our impact on the environment. I like that the firm thinks a lot about what materials they use and how to design the building based on what it will be used for. Another thing that I am looking forward to is using my new camera. I’m interested to try and capture different things with my camera and my sketching, because I think there are certain things you can’t capture with a photo but can with a sketch, and vice versa. In terms of sketching, I would like to try more abstract drawing, by focusing on light, materiality, or other details. Lastly, I am looking forward to experiencing South American culture. I have never been to South America, and am excited for the food, the language, and just the general atmosphere. I took one year of Spanish a long time ago, so it will be interesting to see what I remember. I want to try as much new and local food as possible, and just take everything in.

Time has surely flown by fast and can’t believe we are all about to hop on a plane to leave for Santiago, Chile. I am extremely excited to be experiencing this trip with everyone and even more excited for the weather because I heard its going to snow in Cbus while we are on the trip! I am most excited to learn about the Chilean culture because I love learning and trying new things of different cultures and some friends who I met from Colombia this past Summer are super excited for me to be going to their country! This trip will also be a great way for me to practice my 3 years of learning Spanish in high school, even though I already know I won’t do too too well at it. I think the only thing that I am semi frightened by is the airplane ride because even though I have flown before, there is always that tiny “what if” in the back of my mind. So I’ll definitely be praying for safe travels for all of us and to stay safe in Chile and watch out for one another. Other than that, I have started to pack a little bit (by a little bit I mean just got my suitcase out from under my bed) and am trying to get a lot of my online school work done before our travels. Super pumped for this trip and I already know this spring break will fly by fast, but it will be well worth it. See you guys on Thursday and then on Friday to Santiago!!!! Peace 🙂

I can’t believe that we are off two Santiago in just two days, which means i should probably start packing… I am beyond excited to visit Chile because I have never been to South America before. The food, the culture, and obviously the architecture are just a few of things I can’t wait to experience. I hope that everything goes smoothly in terms of the departure to Chile and that I won’t be overly exhausted once we arrive. I am looking forward to the warm weather, but hopefully we won’t be sweating everywhere we go. On our free day, I want to visit one of the beautiful beaches in Chile, since I haven’t been to a beach since the summer. I am looking forward to the beautiful work done by Alejandro Aravena and his firm Elemental. In addition, I am excited to hopefully go on the cable car and the fornicular to get to see the amazing views of Chile. I am most definitely excited to see the Andes Mountains in person, being that they look stunningly beautiful on google images. I am still debating whether or not I should bring my camera due to the size of my small backpack, but I probably will end up bringing it. Anyways, looking forward to sunny skies and warm weather…Chile here we come!!