My STEP project involved embarking on a two-month study abroad experience in Valparaíso, Chile, where I not only improved my Spanish language proficiency skills but also gained a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, another culture. The first month of this experience involved taking Spanish courses at one of the country’s well-known universities, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, while the second part involved a Service Learning component at Teletón, a rehabilitation center for children with musculoskeletal disabilities. Throughout my time in Chile, I lived with a host family who took me in as one of their own and provided me with a true Chilean lifestyle. Although my primary objective of this trip was to improve my Spanish fluency and become bilingual, multiple encounters with natives of various circumstances quickly helped me achieve much more than initially thought possible considering the short duration of time abroad.

While in Valparaíso, I volunteered at the Hogar de Cristo, a shelter for people in situations of poverty that provides less fortunate individuals with food, clothing, and a place to sleep when needed. Although my responsibilities merely involved interacting with the usuarios (people who utilized these services), I was able to have a great impact on the lives of these individuals. Many thanked me for the time I dedicated to simply listening to their stories and sharing a meal with them; for in times of misfortune, all people truly want is a friend and to know they are not alone. This experience allowed me to develop a greater sense of compassion towards this population and a new perspective of how we should each view our lives. It amazed me that not one of them looked down on the world but rather embraced their faith in religion and gave thanks for what they had. While serving as a volunteer, I also had the opportunity to participate in ruta, a service in which volunteers drive a van around the cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar to bring food, clothing, and company during the morning and night to those unable to travel to the shelter. It was touching to see the less fortunate come together to form their own community rather than remain alone. This experience provided me with a new ambition to find ways to promote similar services in the United States.

The second part of the trip also provided me with a new perspective that I brought back upon my return to the United States. As a service learning volunteer at Teletón, my responsibilities primarily involved working within the Recrear department, which involved playing, coloring, and socializing with the patients and their relatives in the waiting room. I did not realize the significance of this job until after a week into the service learning component when a patient with advanced cerebral palsy asked if I was her friend. This patient helped me realize the struggles these kids face that many will never have to encounter. Something as simple as passing time with these children provided them with the normal childhood experiences and social skills they deserved. Also, many of the games offered to them, such as Jenga and Play-Dough, permitted use of their hands, thus allowing them to improve their dexterity and muscle strength.

During my time working at Teletón, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside one of the institution’s kinesiologists whose patients all had cerebral palsy. This allowed me to gain clinical experience as an aspiring physical therapist within a pediatric setting and witness the treatment process of various diagnoses that I would not have otherwise been able to observe as a student in my own country. There was a patient with an external fixator to correct a significant leg length discrepancy, a patient with a button for direct alimentation to her stomach, and a patient with two partially amputated legs below the knee. This kinesiologist not only showed me how to go about treating these cases, but also taught me the value of creativity in this field of work. She challenged me by constantly asking questions regarding what I observed, having me create an exercise for the patient, and providing books to read for further discussion. I also observed the use of advanced therapy equipment that I had not formerly known about, such as the Lokomat, and learned the importance of communication between various healthcare professionals to treat just one patient. Despite learning all of this in a different language, I walked away from this clinical experience having gained more knowledge than in anything I had previously experienced.

One of the most influential aspects of this trip was living with a Chilean host family. I was fortunate to live with a large family that included Chilean, American, and German students, thus allowing me to learn about multiple cultures and gain various perspectives during our conversations while almorzando. Between making sopaipillas with my Chilean mother, watching the copa mundial with my Chilean father, and talking with the other students at night, I truly felt part of a community and welcomed as a member of their family. Despite being a foreigner, I not once felt in danger or different while exploring the streets of Valpo, and there was always someone home with whom I could share my discoveries. These individuals helped me embrace their culture, make significant memories, and return to my country part Chilena.

View of the city of Valparaíso from one of the cerros (hills).

These transformations in my perspective of various aspects of the world have allowed me to reenter my country with not only a deeper understanding of another culture, but also a greater appreciation for my own. The usuarios at the Hogar de Cristo helped me realize the importance of friendship and the influence a positive attitude can have on one’s life; the children at Teletón allowed me to gain an understanding of the impact that small tasks can have, and the inspiration to overcome all challenges; the kinesiologist helped me further develop my knowledge of the field I seek to pursue; and my Chilean family showed me the ease of loving people of different backgrounds. Although my time in Chile has finished, the lessons learned will remain to impact my professional and personal life. I leave the country with the ability to treat a wider range of patients due to my improved Spanish proficiency and cultural sensitivity, as initially intended, but most importantly, I leave knowing that I made an impact and that the work I did while abroad will continue through other students and volunteers. Therefore, although my time in Chile has finished, the efforts to benefit others will continue to flourish.