It’s been just over two weeks since we landed in Santiago, and I’m falling in love with the city each day. I finally feel like I have adjusted to the lifestyle change and climate. Every day, we wake up to sunny mornings and fall asleep to the incredible sunsets, which are very different to the unpredictable NZ summers. The city never sleeps, and that is something I am growing to love! You can have dinner at 10:00; no one would bat an eyelid. We usually finish class and feel we still have the whole day ahead.
There were many highlights this week, from wine tasting to visiting the New Zealand Embassy, it was definitely full on. We started the week in the San Joaquin Campus garden, where we learned about indigenous plants in Chile and their qualities and got to eat some fruit. This week, we also had two field observations where we visited a hospital and medical center. The hospital visit was probably one of the craziest experiences of my life. We got to witness a heart catheterization surgery; being so intimate with the behind-the-scenes of the running of a hospital was something I never thought would be in my deck of cards, especially considering my field. I am grateful to have the opportunity to explore public health, especially coming from my Global Studies background. Last week, I received my first lab coat and had the chance to wear it around our field observations. It was very special.
We finished the week off wine tasting and visiting the colourful seaside cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Looking out into the endless Pacific Ocean reminded me of how far yet close home was. It was so special to get out of Santiago city and finally see some water; the sea brings out certain emotions, specifically serotonin. We had a blast running around on the beach, getting our clothes wet, pressing our toes into the sand and dipping them in the water. It was a nice getaway and an end to a very stimulating week of activities.
As we hit the halfway point on this journey, I’m reflecting on how much my knowledge has expanded in just two weeks, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the journey unfolds!
Xoxo la chismosa