Week 1 || Semana Uno

¡ H O L A !        ¡ O Y E !       ¡ B I E N V E N I D O !        

Hello hello!!  Alright, so here's the rundown and 411 on me myself and i(ncredible adventures that await).  My name is Brittni and I am wrapping up my third year at the University of Cincinnati.  I am an undergraduate student in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) in Interior Design, working towards a minor in Spanish.  With a passion for travel, adventure, pushing myself, and for language and culture, I jumped at the abroad experience opportunity to advance my knowledge and skills.  I am currently interning in Santiago, Chile as an Interior Designer for a residential architecture firm.  Excited to begin my journey, I am sharing the rundown of my first impressions, adventures, emotions, and growth through the program and amazing experiences...

Change; an understatement for what I was only about to encounter...   

Leaving for the summer to venture across the world left me with a world of emotions.  Excitement was the first that always came, with the fear of the unknown only to creep and be pushed alway by awe and wonder.  A rush to wrap up finals, and say (it's not goodbye, it's) ~see you later~ to family and friends, I packed my bags and boarded with optimism and eagerness to experience a new lifestyle, continuously grow, and to learn about myself and a culture I could only dream about.  

A long flight and half later... I arrived a little tired, unfazed that I was even in another country, and curious, but hey! no time change!  Orientation throughout the first few days was extremelyyyyy helpful, welcoming, and motivating to begin my adventure with confidence.  Reviewing cultural overviews, expectations and guidelines, safety and security, transportation navigation, homestay and internship outlines, and much more had me ready and inspired to jump in.  A few quick trips to Santa Lucia Hill, Plaza de Armas, and a walk through Parque Forestal, CIEE welcomed us with our first Chilean lunch and brief walkthrough of downtown Santiago.  First Impressions; BIG, exciting, eventful, lively, beautiful, kind, tasty...

"nearly 7 million people"   *wow, bound to find friends somewhere*

"green"  *oooo yay lots of parks to explore, who needs a concrete jungle?*

After day one of orientation, my sweet mamá greeted me at the CIEE office to take me home.  I was greeted by my host brother and their puppy, Gina, whom I would also have to pleasure of living with for the semester.  Conveniently just a few blocks from work, my housing is convinently and safely located in the neighborhoods of Las Condes.  I have my own bedroom and private bathroom within the apartment, and will be joined by another student within the coming weeks!  I feel extremely at home and thoroughly welcomed into su casa.  Joined by another student from the University of Cincinnati, I have a friend just a metro ride away from, to explore the city with and keep in touch with as we journey together.  With a full semester ahead of me and a country of endless exploration, adventure, sights, and opportunity, I've only started a bucket list that I hope to add to as I continue to explore the city of Santiago and diverse country of Chile...