Vibe check & October stuff
Happy Halloween!
..oops I'm late with the halloween thing
Time for me to write some new stuff here :) There isn't much to tell from the past weeks EXCEPT there actually is since I realised that I haven't really been talking about what I've been doing here. (can you see my memory is not the best kind) Nevertheless I thought I'd make this one about my general feelings, kinda in honor of three months here in Chile, but I'll also make a quick summary (in a nonsense order) of what's been going on during October.
Also as a side note, the situation in Chile has still not cleared entirely, and probably won't fully clear up anytime soon. The people are still demanding better human rights, there is a lot of marches and for example schools and stores have been functioning on a more limited schedule. Two international summits (APEC & COP25) scheduled to be organised in Chile in the next two months have been canceled due to the unstable state of the country. We'll see how things evolve. But now let's get on to business.
In October we visited a museum in Santa Cruz (a town nearby) with the other exchange students in San Fernando, I went to Santiago three times, once with my school, once to see my cisv friends, and once for an afs orientation. My Spanish classes were cancelled pretty much for the whole month, and I don't even know whether or not they will continue, since most of the volunteers were on their final year of school before going to university and their classes at the school ended last week. Right now they have a period when they have to study for their university qualification exams, which have been postponed with two weeks. Everyone is angry since the students are already tired of studying and because the results of the exams will come only after new years. During October I also went to see the new Joker movie (it was great, go see it), spent a lot of time hanging out with my friends, I played more ultimate than usually since my basketball trainings were cancelled due to my team being in a tournament, did some more workouts in crossfit. Altogether trained quite a lot, which makes no sense in my head since at the same time I feel like I have trained way less during this month.. Oh well whatever. I also started to use my school uniform (the one with the skirt) and I really don't like it. (photo attached)
Last week I had school only on Tuesday and Friday, and this week until Wednesday but I still have a hold of my student visa so don't worry about me not having school. We also celebrated Halloween, which ended up at a friend's house eating french fries at 2am. No matter what people say, I thought it was great. First days of November I basically spent sleeping. Productive I know.
How am I feeling?
That's a great question. My brain has mostly been in an off-mode until now. And by off-mode I mean that I didn't really think about what I did last week or what am I gonna do next Thursday, but more like I was living in the day and enjoyed what I was doing at that same moment. But as I said, that was only until recently. About a week and a half ago, I (allegedly, not admitting it is my guilty pleasure) was hit by my first homesickness-wave. Out of nowhere, I got super tired, even though I didn't sleep any less than I used to, understanding Spanish felt like an impossible task, and speaking it felt even more obnoxious. I didn't (still don't though) necessarily miss my home / people in Finland that much, but more like the routine I had there, and the freedom of being able to go anywhere anytime. I have also found a whole new respect for a lot of things in Finland, such as the language and education system. The past week has been a struggle indeed but from the bottom the only way is up am I right? I'm already starting to feel more energised and I know my brain will be in the off-mode I mentioned shortly again.
But regardless of the homesickness, I have been feeling really happy here in Chile, and I can't believe it has already been 3 months?! The time has been flying and it feels surreal to say that I'm already one fourth in to my exchange. During this time here I have already met a lot of great people and seen new places, and I already feel like I have whole new home here. Spanish is flowing, still wouldn't call myself fluent but it's starting to feel more comfortable every day. I have some kind of a routine and I have people around me. Still accepting suggestions of what to do in school (and anywhere else for that matter) when I'm bored though.
In conclusion, I'm clinging a little bit to the normal I had before (but that's just part of the journey right?), but honestly I'm happy, and I wouldn't really want to be anywhere else right now. Just waiting for the summer vacation to start so I can get to do more cool stuff here.
Until the next one,
Saara
In October we visited a museum in Santa Cruz (a town nearby) with the other exchange students in San Fernando, I went to Santiago three times, once with my school, once to see my cisv friends, and once for an afs orientation. My Spanish classes were cancelled pretty much for the whole month, and I don't even know whether or not they will continue, since most of the volunteers were on their final year of school before going to university and their classes at the school ended last week. Right now they have a period when they have to study for their university qualification exams, which have been postponed with two weeks. Everyone is angry since the students are already tired of studying and because the results of the exams will come only after new years. During October I also went to see the new Joker movie (it was great, go see it), spent a lot of time hanging out with my friends, I played more ultimate than usually since my basketball trainings were cancelled due to my team being in a tournament, did some more workouts in crossfit. Altogether trained quite a lot, which makes no sense in my head since at the same time I feel like I have trained way less during this month.. Oh well whatever. I also started to use my school uniform (the one with the skirt) and I really don't like it. (photo attached)
Last week I had school only on Tuesday and Friday, and this week until Wednesday but I still have a hold of my student visa so don't worry about me not having school. We also celebrated Halloween, which ended up at a friend's house eating french fries at 2am. No matter what people say, I thought it was great. First days of November I basically spent sleeping. Productive I know.
 |
| School uniform before I got it sewed to fit me properly, spiced up with my colorfully taped-up knees |
How am I feeling?
That's a great question. My brain has mostly been in an off-mode until now. And by off-mode I mean that I didn't really think about what I did last week or what am I gonna do next Thursday, but more like I was living in the day and enjoyed what I was doing at that same moment. But as I said, that was only until recently. About a week and a half ago, I (allegedly, not admitting it is my guilty pleasure) was hit by my first homesickness-wave. Out of nowhere, I got super tired, even though I didn't sleep any less than I used to, understanding Spanish felt like an impossible task, and speaking it felt even more obnoxious. I didn't (still don't though) necessarily miss my home / people in Finland that much, but more like the routine I had there, and the freedom of being able to go anywhere anytime. I have also found a whole new respect for a lot of things in Finland, such as the language and education system. The past week has been a struggle indeed but from the bottom the only way is up am I right? I'm already starting to feel more energised and I know my brain will be in the off-mode I mentioned shortly again.
But regardless of the homesickness, I have been feeling really happy here in Chile, and I can't believe it has already been 3 months?! The time has been flying and it feels surreal to say that I'm already one fourth in to my exchange. During this time here I have already met a lot of great people and seen new places, and I already feel like I have whole new home here. Spanish is flowing, still wouldn't call myself fluent but it's starting to feel more comfortable every day. I have some kind of a routine and I have people around me. Still accepting suggestions of what to do in school (and anywhere else for that matter) when I'm bored though.
In conclusion, I'm clinging a little bit to the normal I had before (but that's just part of the journey right?), but honestly I'm happy, and I wouldn't really want to be anywhere else right now. Just waiting for the summer vacation to start so I can get to do more cool stuff here.
Until the next one,
Saara
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