My first reason for taking an exchange semester was that I wanted to learn Spanish. I decided to go to Chile because I study History and I feel that the history of Chile in the twentieth century is very interesting.

I have been fascinated by this country for its varied beauty. During this exchange I went to San Pedro de Atacama, La Serena and the Elqui Valley, in the desert area of northern Chile; to Valparaiso, Pichilemu and Isla Negra in the central coast; to Chillan and Pucón in the south; and to Cajón del Maipo, in the foothills of Santiago, among other places. I especially loved the beach of Pichilemu, because there you can surf.

It is said that people in Santiago isn’t friendly, but I don’t think so, at least with foreigners. For example, when I arrived I didn’t find my apartment. I asked a person in the street and he said, “I do not know, but I’ll call someone.” My sense is that people care about the safety of us foreigners.