Chilean Exchange Students Reflect on Six Weeks at La Salle
February 24, 2016
Ending last week, three Chilean exchange students spent the last 6 weeks with host families from La Salle experiencing what life is like here. Keegan Storlie, junior and Claire Baker and Christina George, seniors, generously hosted them in their homes.
The students, Sofi Parker, Antonia Ortuzar, and Tere Vial attend Villa Maria Academy, an all girls Catholic school in Santiago, Chile. The girls returned to Chile on Saturday, February 20. To reflect on their visit to the United States, they described their favorite and most challenging parts of it.
When the girls first arrived, they reported that adjusting to the different culture and lifestyle was difficult. They are used to their school that has simple uniforms, an easy schedule, and is spoken in their first language, Spanish. Tere, Antonia, and Sofia all said that the most difficult part at first was listening and speaking in English all day, everyday, at school, and at home.
Despite the initial obstacles, they had an unforgettable experience here. In order to fit in all of Portland’s many attractions, weekends were always very busy for these three students. They went cosmic tubing on Mt. Hood, hiked around Multnomah Falls, indulged at Voodoo Doughnuts, book hunted at Powell’s, people watched downtown, relaxed at the coast, and even laser tagged.
All the girls said that the new friends they have met and become close with are what they will miss the most. Sofi explained, “I’m so sad! Because when I left Santiago to come here I knew I was going to see my family again in two months, but now that I’m going from here I don’t know when I’m going to see you guys again.” Tere similarly said that “I’m very sad to leave people I have really liked, and realizing I won’t be seeing them again will be hard.” Antonia said that will miss her host family the most.
When asked if they could describe their trip to Portland in only one word, Soffi replied, “unforgettable.” Tere asked if she could use two, and explained it as a “great experience. ” Antonia said that she will remember it as being “incredible.”
Although La Salle looks forward to next year’s annual student exchange with Villa Maria Academy, undoubtedly many students are already missing our recent additions to the Lasallian family, Antonia, Sofii, and Tere.
jeanne acker • Mar 1, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Our exchange student from Madrid, Spain was able to meet the 3 students from Chile and they enjoyed exchanging experiences! Belen will spend the next 4 weeks at La Salle and has already made great friends and even joined up with the La Salle Team at the Polar Plunge this past wknd (taking pictures as she declined to plunge into the 45 degree Columbia River ;))
Will Park • Feb 29, 2016 at 6:42 pm
It was truly awesome to meet these students and spend this time with them. I did not have one at my house, but I did hang out with Keegan and others while they were here. My favorite part was when we all went laser tagging. I remember when Sofi and I were fighting over the vest with Al Farouq Aminu’s name on it even though she didn’t even know who he was. Good times. It was fun running around a shooting each other,mor being on the same team, as them.
Andrea Dennis • Feb 28, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Super glad to have met these girls!
Regan Russell • Feb 24, 2016 at 11:12 pm
It was such a great experience getting to know all three of these girls. I had classes and lunches with all of the, and hung out with them after school and on the weekends, and seeing them go was so sad. Having them here gave me three more friendships and I hope that I can go visit them in chile some day!
Christina • Feb 24, 2016 at 8:21 pm
It was really such an amazing experience to have them here. Sofi and I are truly like sisters now and I would definitely recommend this program to everyone next year!!!!!!!!!!