High School Language Immersion Programs in Chile

The trip was amazing. My family took me so many places. I experienced so much. I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone for this amazing trip. It was the time of my life and I can not wait to go back on a nacel trip to Mexico

My family was extremely nice. The directors were extremely nice. The school was very nice. I had the time of my life. I made many friends even though I didn’t speak amazing Spanish. It was still an amazing experience and I would do it again.

Hi! I’m Valentina, and i’m 17 years old. I’m from Chile, and i’m doing an exchange semester in Connecticut, USA. I’ve had so much fun this last months. People are very nice to me everywhere. I already have friends and i love my host family

Nacel has really been very helpful during the application process and my stay in Chile. I almost missed my chance to do the 2020 term in Chile, because I forgot to look for my perfect study abroad program in ahead of time and by then I was very busy with my homework at school. But.. Anyway, Nacel opened the doors for me when the rest of the agencies didn't accept me because “I was late”. It's really impressive landscapes over there. We flew over the Andes Mountains! I have never seen such a beautiful country in my life. I landed on a Saturday afternoon at Santiago airport. There was my host family Los Arenas and my local coordinator. I had done Skype before with my host family. As I already knew them, it was very normal for me to run to greeting them. They showed me their love and affection with a lot of kisses and hugs. Chilean people are very kind and warm. We went to their house, they lived in a neighbourhood where you could clearly see the Andes far away, but near! I don't know how many photos I've taken of that beautiful landscape. The next day, Domingo, they organized a delicious barbecue in the garden of the house. I met cousins and family friends. At first, I think it happens to all of us, I experienced new feelings: JOY of being in a new country and meeting new people, sadness because my parents were in the United States with my siblings and at that moment I was starting a new life and living new adventures. The feeling of sadness lasted very little because I have so much to do in Chile: adapt to my new life, unpack my suitcase, study, check new vocabulary, help my host family at home, and hanging out with friends. The first day of school was amazing! We woke up in the morning, the host mother ironed my uniform and prepared a ''colacion'' bag where there was a cheese sandwich, an orange juice and an apple. They dropped us off to school, and the vice-principal welcomed me with some students. I felt very good about that warm welcome. I felt very good and happy to be an exchange Student in Chile. Attending high school wearing uniform is great. If you haven’t tried yet, you should! We all look the same. My classmates are very nice and fun. I remember one time when I didn't understand something, during recess, they brought the English teacher to translate their message to me. I will miss everyone with all my heart. I will also miss the food: Empanadas, sopaipillas, cazuela, Humitas..everything! Chilean people have shown me that it is possible to be happy and always move forward and overcome obstacles. I hope that my little brother Liam takes Spanish courses at school seriously so that he can soon participate in this Nacel exchange program and perhaps visit the Arenas in Santiago.

I chose AFS because it seemed like the most inviting, I didn't really like the others because for example rotary you have to move around every 3 months so you never get to really have a family or experience to call yours because you are constantly moving. My favorite parts were the trips to the north and south. They were soo beautiful and fun! I also liked the orientation camps because I got to know new people just from my city. It was so much fun to be around other AFSers!

My experience taught me that sometimes you just need to be patient, you don't need to understand everything right away. I learned how to be more independent but admit when I need help from others.

When I was abroad I gained lifelong friends and another family that is like my own. I learned to do things more independently and I learned how talk to people which was scary for me before. I got to go to school in another country which was as well scary but I learned to do things even if they are scary. I am more outgoing now and I feel more confident because I went on this amazing trip.