Yesterday was orientation at my university. I allowed myself just enough time to arrive at 8:15 a.m., but when I walked downstairs Veronica poked her head out of her bedroom door and insisted that I have a cup of coffee and some breakfast. After I finished eating I had about three minutes to make it to the university, but Veronica said not to worry. I still power-walked/ ran, and upon arrival I slid into the massive group of Chilean students that were standing at the entrance. We then proceeded to wait 20 minutes for anything to happen (I understand why Veronica said not to rush). Finally our tour began and it turned out to be a large mass of students aimlessly wandering around the campus... Needless to say, I didn't get a real feel for the campus during this tour. After 1 1/2 hours of chaos we broke into our areas of study. I soon realized that I was a bit advanced for my classes, and I should probably find something different to take because my classes were all English language classes (it would be the same as if a Chilean came to UW and was signed up for basic Spanish classes). I am currently working on my schedule and we'll see what I end up with. All of this confusion was happening in Spanish, which made it about 99 times more confusing for my because I can understand approximately 1% of what is happening. All I can say, is thank goodness for the three VERY kind and patient Chilean students that helped me out!
After this tough day I went for a run along the beach... BEAUTIFUL!
Today was extremely challenging!! All of the exchange students had to register with the police this morning at 7:45. My Chilean family doesn't get up quite as early as my family at home. Here, I am the early riser, that's a switch!! My plan was to eat a quick breakfast and then be all set to go when Veronica woke up. Instead, she heard me walk downstairs and then she prepared everything for me and ate with me. This morning I learned that they don't like to let anyone eat alone. Another big switch for me! (She told me I was a very independent person). Again, Veronica didn't think I needed to leave quite so early, but we managed to arrive at about 8:00. Thankfully she drove me, because I would have gotten extremely lost if I would have attempted to take one of the many buses in this city. The group of exchange students gathered (3 from Mexico, 1 from Peru, and 2 from the U.S), along with the lady in charge of the international program, and she explained what we needed to do and left. To keep it brief, it was a day of waiting, waiting, giving an official some papers, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, giving another official some papers, confusion, fingerprints, and more confusion. I didn't realize that I really don't speak or understand any Spanish at all until I arrived here in Chile! I had several problems with my official papers throughout the day and the native Spanish speaking exchange students helped me SO much!!! I was the last one done because of the continuous problems the officials were having with my paper work and every single one of the other students waited an extra 30 minutes for me, all but the one from the U.S. :) I have no idea what I would do without the kindness and generosity of all these people who have helped me! Finally, at 4:00 I made it back home and Veronica prepared a gigantic lunch for me. I am extremely spoiled here!!
What an adventure this all is!
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