Kaitlin Barnes reflects on her experience in Chile
Prior to visiting Chile, many of my perceptions of the country had been shaped by international news coverage of the trapped Chilean miners and the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred in 2010. I knew very little about the diversity and culture of the country, and I'll admit that I was somewhat weary of a common stereotype that Chileans (and Argentineans) are not known to be hospitable to foreigners, particularly those from the United States.
From the moment my plane began to descend into Santiago -- with the Andes on one side and coastal cordillera on the other -- I was in awe of the natural beauty of the country. Beaches were 25 minutes from snow-capped mountains; you could be bundled up on an icy volcano at 10 a.m. and then snapping photos of waterfalls in a T-shirt for lunch. The geographic diversity and beauty of the country is beyond amazing and inspiring.
As for the people we met on our trip, not one person fits what proved to be a naive and erroneous stereotype. In fact, our Chilean hosts, both the professors and students, are among the warmest, friendliest, and most insightful people I've ever met. Through thought-provoking discussions, collaborative presentations, and engaging workshops, we formed incredible relationships with DuocUC students, staff, and professors. However, our informal conversations over meals and during our explorations of the three cities we visited are what have made the most lasting impressions on me. Public diplomacy is about building productive relationships that utilize all modes of communication to elevate cultural understanding, and that is exactly what this trip taught me.
I cannot say "thank you" enough to everyone I met in Chile; you have taught me so much, and I am so fortunate to have participated in the first Chile Global Diplomacy Project trip!
From the moment my plane began to descend into Santiago -- with the Andes on one side and coastal cordillera on the other -- I was in awe of the natural beauty of the country. Beaches were 25 minutes from snow-capped mountains; you could be bundled up on an icy volcano at 10 a.m. and then snapping photos of waterfalls in a T-shirt for lunch. The geographic diversity and beauty of the country is beyond amazing and inspiring.
As for the people we met on our trip, not one person fits what proved to be a naive and erroneous stereotype. In fact, our Chilean hosts, both the professors and students, are among the warmest, friendliest, and most insightful people I've ever met. Through thought-provoking discussions, collaborative presentations, and engaging workshops, we formed incredible relationships with DuocUC students, staff, and professors. However, our informal conversations over meals and during our explorations of the three cities we visited are what have made the most lasting impressions on me. Public diplomacy is about building productive relationships that utilize all modes of communication to elevate cultural understanding, and that is exactly what this trip taught me.
I cannot say "thank you" enough to everyone I met in Chile; you have taught me so much, and I am so fortunate to have participated in the first Chile Global Diplomacy Project trip!
