photo flashback: studying abroad

Hi Everyone! How's your week going so far? I hope that it has been a lovely start to March for you!

Today, I'd like to reflect on an experience that I am still coming to digest and appreciate. The fall of my junior year I studied abroad in Chile and Argentina. It was an overwhelming, powerful, enlightening, challenging and wonderful experience. I made some great friends, I learned  A LOT about myself, and I got a taste of two beautiful countries in South America.

Because I could go on for hours about all the details that only I find interesting and all I've learned, I think a photo flashback might be the best way to convey the beauty of my abroad experience... enjoy :)

Santiago, Valparaiso and La Sarena, Chile

La Sarena, my last week abroad

Erin showing off the Bellas Artes Museum in Santiago

Chilean flag flying high in Valpo

 Southern Chile

staying in a Mapuche village with the kindest family I've ever known

Pucon

Buenos Aires, Argentina

our whole group with una Madre (de la Plaza de Mayo)

LOVE THESE GIRLS

shopping for Thanksgiving dinner in 90 degree weather 

Marching with the Madres

Mendoza, Argentina

bicycle wine tour!

enjoying a meal in Mendoza

about to go white water rafting!

we survived.... barely :)

These are a few of the pictures I used in my final photo essay about the art that came from the horrible 1976 dictatorship in Argentina. We had the opportunity to march with the Madres de Plaza de Mayo who continue to march every Thursday at 11:30 initially protesting the disappearance of their children and now protesting this and various other social justice offenses.

What a wonderful experience that both challenged and refreshed me :)

Happy Wednesday!