High School Programs in Santiago, Chile

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

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.