This document is a newsletter from WorldTeach Chile containing stories and reflections from 2011 WorldTeach volunteers in Chile. It includes sections on experiences in the classroom, with host families, traveling in Chile, Chilean food and graffiti. One story describes witnessing student protests for educational reform and their organized takeover of a school. Another story outlines a program called "Besos for Books" that collects used books from abroad to address the lack of reading materials in Chilean schools. A third story shares experiences from English language camps held in various locations around Chile during school breaks. Overall, the newsletter captures diverse experiences and perspectives from the volunteers during their time in Chile.

1. Short Stories,
Long Country
Issue 4
A collection of experiences from 2011
WorldTeach volunteers in Chile

2. Table of Contents
3 Message from our Field Director
4 In the Classroom
10 Host Families ―You are the
storyteller of
13 Travel your own life and
you can create
your own legend
18 Comida Chilena or not.‖
22 Grafiti Chileno -Isabel Allende
24 Reflections
Letter from the Editors
Here it is! The fourth edition of Short Stories, Long Country—
WorldTeach Chile‘s biannual newsletter! It has been bittersweet
creating this edition, but we hope that the end product is
something representative of all the WorldTeach Chile volunteers.
We have high expectations! If your world is not rocked to the core
by this newsletter, you‘re reading it wrong.
In all seriousness though, we would like to thank several people for
making this newsletter (and more importantly this experience)
possible: our friends and family, for their continued support; our
fellow volunteers, for helping us assemble this newsletter; and last
but not least, the WorldTeach support staff, especially our awesome
field director, Heather Tang! This experience has been one of a
kind, and of course, we would be remiss to not note the one thing
tying all us gringos together: Chile. This is a country that is never
short of interesting stories—from the unique culture, to the
stunning geography, to the all the wonderfully warm and welcoming
people. We have been incredibly lucky to have spent even a
moment here, let alone lived and worked here for months.
Viva Chile!
Please enjoy this issue of SSLC, y lectura feliz!
Your SSLC editors,
Chika & Eva

3. Message from our
Field Director
Another Chilean school year is coming to a close and once
again, our valiant WorldTeach volunteers have danced more
Cha Cha Slides, slapped more high fives, and clucked like
chickens more than they could have ever imagined. Their
students have enjoyed the benefits of learning English from
a gringo as well as sharing culture, laughter, and perhaps
just a little gossip about Justin Bieber. With the
omnipresent student movement for a change in the public
education system in progress since June, 2011 was
definitely an interesting year to be a part of the Chilean
school community. July bid farewell to half of our first
WorldTeach familia arrivals but also welcomed seven new
faces, ready to take on the their roles as teachers in their
schools, members in their host families, and cultural
ambassadors in Chile. From Valparaíso to Bio Bío, these
volunteers have made the most of their experiences in this
amazing country and formed memories and relationships
that they will cherish for a lifetime. With our partnership
with English Opens Doors coming to an end this year, this
is the final issue of Short Stories, Long Country with
WorldTeach functioning in this capacity in Chile. In the
following pages, you will relive the past year through the
eyes of our truly wonderful group of dedicated volunteer
teachers. We hope that one day we can return to Chile and
continue our exchange, as to become a part of this culture
and people is an experience well worth it. Disfruten!
Heather Tang
WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at the
Center for International Development at Harvard University that
provides opportunities for individuals to make
a meaningful contribution to international
education by living and working as volunteer
3
teachers in developing countries.

4. In the Classroom
4

5. Revolución de
Educación
En Toma
by Ryan Mosser
Imagine yourself back in high school. What failed system. A recent poll showed that 89 At the high school where I teach, over 100
were your priorities- fleeting romances, sports, percent of Chileans support student students directly participated in a takeover of
parties, fitting in? Maybe grades and college? demands for educational reform. Hundreds the school that lasted for a month. The
Maybe you chafed under the authoritarian of schools, both secondary and universities,
and arbitrary rule of adults a bit, especially have been en toma (physically taken over
after getting suspended for wearing a and occupied by students in protest), and “Essentially, it‟s a system that
backpack during school hours (guilty)? How every week there are massive marches all brutally affects the poor and,
about organizing on a national level to fight a over the country. They are protesting a on a broader scale, stifles
deeply stratified and broken educational system where the privileged attend private national growth and
system that punishes the poor and working schools, those who can scrape together the development.”
class? What‘s that, you were looking for an money send their children to semi-private
older sibling to buy Mike‘s Hard Lemonade for schools, and the rest attend dramatically
Friday night? under funded public schools. This last students had a focused list of local
The ongoing student protests for improved group, the majority, has little hope of demands, and are still in the process of
public education in Chile have received obtaining the minimum score on the SAT- negotiating with the mayor. As deadlines for
relatively little attention in the United States. equivalent to go to college. Of those who do small physical improvements pass, the
With events such as the riots in London, fall of then go college, students‘ families are students initiate small two-hour strikes
Gaddhafi in Libya, collapse of the Greek obliged to pay 85% of tuition to even state- that disrupt the school day in order to state
economy, and ―upcoming‖ presidential supported universities regardless of clearly that they will not accept inaction.
election in the US, perhaps it is to be economic means, leading to crushing At my school, the students support the
expected. amounts of debt for years. Essentially, it‘s a national cause of better public education,
However, I see in Chile a distinctly positive system that brutally affects the poor and, on but also have a list of basic improvements
force in the movement, as thousands of a broader scale, stifles national growth and that are fundamental to safety and
students demand greater results from a
5
development.

6. health. Many of these could be solved by $1,000 and a Sodimac (think Lowe‘s or
Home Depot), but have not been addressed even with a grant to the school at the
beginning of the year. The students want to know where the money went, and I
cannot say that I blame them. Their behavior during the takeover was absolutely
impeccable, with no destruction whatsoever to the school. I have no conclusion to
the story, as this struggle continues on a week-to-week basis.
I think the fundamental
question for a country,
“For Chile, a developing country with
whether Chile or the United
significantly less resources and States, is how to make a
people, this investment is all the more better future. As millions of
important to its future success.” people all over the world have
answered in the past, the
students here in Chile see equitable education as the answer. The United
States, regardless of the economic downturn, is the richest country in the world
and can choose quite easily to invest in education in a meaningful way. In fact,
over the past 50 years we have built an enviable system of public education
(albeit with deep racial and socioeconomic flaws that we should continue to
improve). I truly hope that we continue to make education for all a priority, and
not a budget scapegoat. For Chile, a developing country with significantly less
resources and people, this investment is all the more important to its future
success. As thousands upon thousands upon thousands of students and
citizens are in the streets here to make that message loud and clear, one can‘t
help but be inspired to think that we can always do better in Chile, the United
States, or anywhere else in the world.
“We are guilty of many errors and many faults but
our worst crime is abandoning the children,
neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we
need can wait. The child cannot. Right now is the
time his bones are being formed, his blood is being
made, and his senses are being developed. To him we
cannot answer 'Tomorrow.' His name is 'Today.'”
-Gabriela Mistral
6

7. Classroom Stories
Besos for Books
by Crystal Chandy
Books in Chile are very expensive and thus not readily available as they are in Overheard in the Classroom
the United States. There are several reasons for this, like book-taxes and high  ―Do you know the Jonas Brothers?‖  How old are you?‖ Student‘s
publishing costs. In a country working towards the creation of a better response: ―I am fine.‖
educational system, the lack of reading materials puts students at a  ―Why do you say you're welcome
disadvantage. A used paperback (which wouldn‘t go for more than a dollar in the after thanks, when welcome means  Student‘s reply to everything,
United States) can easily be priced at five to eight dollars in Chile. Now imagine bienvenidos?‖ including, ―Stop it and sit down!‖:
―What‘s up, man?‖
the price of brand new, Spanish textbooks (which are oftentimes more expensive
 ―Hi. I‘m angri!‖ Intercepted note
than English counterparts, having translation royalties incorporated into the from a student, who was asked to  After teaching students a series of
price): schools simply don‘t have enough books to foster reading among kids. move desks after repeatedly talking quips for Slang of the Day at the
In one of my classes, the students took part in an activity where they listed out of turn in class (angry was a beginning of the semester, hearing
reading books as one of the most expensive leisure activities. As someone who vocabulary word). them tacked on to the end of every
loves to read, this is a great tragedy! Therefore another Ministry volunteer and I conversation in English.
started a program called ―Besos for Books‖. We ask people who have books they  ―I live sleeping. I do not live school.‖
―How are you? Boo yah!‖
want to recycle or throw away, to instead send them to Chile. Any and all types - Student, meaning to say like.
―What time is it? Burn!‖
of books are needed: teacher resources, novels, history books, art books, music ―Where are you from? Oh snap!‖
 Students butchering the theme
books, etc. Teachers and students alike lack materials! It costs $50 to ship a
song to ―Happy Days.‖ They quickly
package filled with books at 20 pounds off to Chile. We plan to distribute these  Several of students struggle to
got better though.
books amongst the EFL teachers in order to help furnish libraries in public and remember the word ―skateboard,‖
semi-private schools. but all can produce ―Bart Simpson.‖
 ―You‘re not the boss of me now!
In return for books, students and teachers that ―Besos for Books‖ works with You‘re not the boss of me now and
will send a big BESO (KISS) to you as a thank you. (A beso is the traditional you‘re nosobiiii…‖ –Student taking
Chilean greeting and good-bye). it upon himself to learn the theme
song from ―Malcolm in the Middle‖
Please spread the word about our program.
The students here would really appreciate your help!  ―Miss, cuando voy a conocer mis
suegros?‖ (Miss, when am I going to
Please ship all books to the following address: meet my in-laws?). Student before
English Department c/o Suzuki Koda meeting a volunteer‘s American
EOD Volunteer: Colleen Hall parents. 7
323 Yerbas Buenas Street
Valdivia, Chile

8. Winter Camps
The Warmth of Winter
by Trey Thompson
Snug and secure in Hosteling International, With rousing karaoke and a raucous talent show
Warm rooms and bad food, both came with camaraderie. We bid students farewell; again we would go.
Over orientation we learned about MINEDUC and Chile This time to Monte Patria, high in the hills.
Welcoming us to begin our journey We glimpsed snow-capped peaks from our lonely
But we weren't meant to stay. cabanas
For just five nights we rested our heads, And planned out a week for just forty new learners
Then re-packed out bags, pulled sheets from our beds Ringed by mountains in this tiny town
And were off to Viña. Young voices were teaching not to bully, not to clown.
Nights lit by the Southern Cross and Milky Way.
Others would travel far and wide, while we
Needed but 90 minutes to first view the South Pacific. Two very different settings, and quite different weeks
In orderly Viña, Liceo Columbia had seen better days But the sameness was most stark.
One hall abandoned to last year's quake; Minnows and sharks, ninjas and robots,
Tired classrooms, worn concrete, cracked but not broken. Singing songs, making posters, and scavenger hunts,
But with 110 students, all eager to speak Lunches together, which were far-from-inspired,
And 12 volunteers would would take on the week, Field trips to cerros, either crowded or green,
It blossomed with wild oranges, yellow submarines, and And remolinos galore, to spread our message of esteem.
optimus purple. Blue shirts swimming through seas of orange.
8

9. Some students spoke with great ease
While others would struggle;
But all built friendships with the vols, with each other.
And all through the weeks, as we taught and played games,
We built skills to teach our new students
Between the games, the chats, the bromas.
Ready to teach, despite miles, despite paros, despite tomas;
We again joined new schools, spreading confidence, excitement,
and knowledge.
About Winter Camps:
Created by the Chilean Ministry of Education, total
immersion English Winter camps occur every
summer and winter vacation. Camps are designed
to give motivated Chilean high school students the
chance to practice English in a more hands on way,
as well as to provide opportunities for students to
work with volunteers/native speakers. This is done
through interactive activities including role-playing
exercises, field trips, group projects, and
competitive games.
Camps take place over the course of one week in
locations all over Chile. Volunteers were given the
opportunity to get to know other parts of Chile
beyond their placements. For many members of the
WorldTeach familia, this was their first hands on
experience with Chilean students.
9

10. Host Families
10

11. En la Casa
Sonrisa Ancha
by Alexander Lokey
shoulders, saying loudly, ―Cilantro!‖ We Petite as a button and dignified as running
I would like to begin with my father, Raul then walked into the kitchen and (in water, Senora Cartes works very hard. I
―Chico‖ Flores. When I first met Senor Little Spanish) he said, ―This was not imagine her afterlife to be a well-deserved
Flowers, he told me that a man from our kitchen.‖ eternal foot massage de los dios sus
podunky, rustic mountain town of Quirihue He pointed at his right eyeball, then to mismos. They will do her five loads of laundry
had once fought against Napoleon. the ceiling and proceeded to rigidly and insist—Insist, dammit!— that they do no
In my broken Spanish, I told him I play convulse his body—was this supposed to be need help with any of it, nor the huge mid-day
guitar and I don‘t like yogurt. the Earthquake Dance? He cackled at my lunches between work shifts. They will
So we played guitars, and we didn‘t eat slight pause, and yelled, ―My son!‖ send her on adventures outside the Above
any yogurt. With his eyes shut, he wrapped We totally hit it off. World while they sweep the dust off the cloud
his arms around his encumbering
tops. Their only alone time will be at midnight
instrument like a koala to an over-girthed
“He put his guitar facedown on with ―Quien Quiere Ser Un Millonario?,‖
eucalyptus. Singing ―Te Recuerdo Amanda‖
the couch, raised his fists in the nursing sad cups of tea. Every day, every
in perfect baritone, I watched his Adam‘s
air and yelled, „Alexander!‟ ” single eensy-weensy trans-dimensional
apple dance playfully under the baby pudge
microsecond, they will appreciate her.
of his clean-shaven face. He smiled the
Her patience stretches for miles—eh-hem,
whole time he sang, as if in on a secret to a It always happens in that meandering excuse me, kilometers. Her patience stretches
very simple truth. He smiled as if his belly order, an unpredictable Mad-Lib setting further than wormholes. My success rate in
was bursting with tickly butterflies, where any scenario seems like a fill-in-the- understanding everyday Spanish is
metamorphing into hummingbirds, or blank. Example: ―Dinner tonight was tasty approaching 49 percent. Even so, if she sees
technicolor baby pterodactyls. and [adjective].‖ Dinner tonight was tasty that I do not understand what she is saying to
He put his guitar facedown on the couch, and… adjective… Let‘s think, hmm… me, she will continue speaking with her
raised his fists in the air and yelled, Musical! Yes, ―Dinner tonight was tasty arsenal of synonyms and tenses. She won‘t
―Alexander!‖ He walked me over to the and musical,‖ because my father danced even blink. Then she will give me more food.
dinner table and pointed at a green garnish around the kitchen playing a flute, and I Her ear-to-ear-and-back-again smile never 11
dish next to a packet of mayo. He stood on ate a hot dog covered in avocado and ceases. Enamel sunshine.
his tippy-toes and put his arm around my mayonnaise.
***

12. Activities to Entertain Your on the floor and flop their legs occasionally.
One time I bought a stupid little hand towel, Also an excellent opportunity to expose them
thinking that it was a regular bath towel (my Hermanos: A List
to angry hip-hop music.
limited Spanish often leads me to unwanted By Emily Wauford
knick-knacks). It dried just fine, but it made • Take a break from hermano time to read a
loin cloths seem like monk robes. My book outside. Watch as they come up with
predicament was simple: After drying, I their own activities to keep you from reading
would change into my clothes in the your book at all costs. These activities could
bathroom. Peachy as two peaches. include: hiding and then continually calling
Regardless, it was my stupid little contingent your name until you try to come find them,
towel for when my ―man-towel‖ was being crawling underneath the entire house to pop
washed, so I hardly needed it. When she up beneath the staircase you're sitting on,
discovered my stupid little towel, she was and throwing miscellaneous items out of the
perplexed. I didn‘t know how to explain to second story window at you claiming that it is
her that I could not really afford another one, raining stuff.
nor reveal my shame. •Spend an hour throwing all the "stuff" it
I now have four big contingent towels. "rained" back to the hermanos in the second
*** story window before the dog can get a hold of
When my father mentioned that our kitchen it and eat it.
was never a kitchen, he meant that the back
• Make food. When there isn't much in the
half of the house collapsed in the earthquake
fridge, you of course will go for scrambled
of 2010. Improvising, they turned a
eggs. You throw in some of the pepper that
remaining room into a kitchen, and moved
your mom mailed you from home, which
the debris to the furthest part of their
•Play every card game known to man, though causes the hermanos to have a conniption fit
backyard. They masked the destruction with
a makeshift black tarp fence, but the ones that involve slapping cards are preferable. since pepper is "way too spicy." This will lead
Three person spit is a favorite as you get to to a pepper-eating contest.
remnants of old memories still peek out over
in piles. hear a lot of ESPEET! •Learn how to dance cueca. The plus side is
Last Sunday morning, I watched my father • Play fetch with the dog with a plastic bottle. that the hermanos have to demonstrate on
plant my mother purple and yellow each other, and will spend at least twenty
tulips. She was sleeping. Not knowing really • Spend an hour and a half trying to retrieve minutes arguing over who has to be the girl
how to, he had made me bacon (I finally the plastic bottle your hermano accidentally before one of them caves and prances about
found some in Chile!). When she woke he threw over the fence into the neighbors yard with a scarf tied around his head.
was waiting by the door to the backyard to with a 6-foot long pole, a nail, and a plastic
bag. • Mess with the family cat. And by "mess with"
show her.
I mean throw it up into the air and see if it
I nibbled on little scraps of bacon char • Learn how to dance ballet while listening to can land on its feet every time.
while they embraced next to the flower Lady Gaga, inevitably devolving into ice-skating
garden. on the wood floors in your socks. • Arts and crafts: make gravestones for the
deceased family cat. You have to use pink and
• Kick a shoe at the fence. The shoe is a make green paper since those are the only colors
shift soccer ball. The fence is a makeshift goal. that are left. Appropriate since the cat's name
Every time you can kick the shoe all the way to was Pinki, but that is lost on your brothers,
the fence, the US loses to Chile in the World who have no idea what the word "pink"
Cup final. Again. means. 12
• Try to lead an abs workout class. This will • Chop firewood. Straight up. These boys
lead to you doing abs while your hermanos lie have to learn how to become men somehow.

13. Travel
13

14. Pucón
Pucón
by Crystal Chandy After a long trek, I finally reached a turn in Chilean Bucket List
the road. There was a house on the corner
A long weekend came up and I felt restless. • Visit the Atacama Desert
with livestock outside and clothes hanging on
I wanted to make the most of my time here in • Subrir a mountain and/or volcano
the line. An old man came out and greeted
Chile and the idea of staying at home was not • See the fjords of the south
one I wanted to entertain. Somehow I • Attend a premier-league soccer game
“I hopped on a bus and it dropped
stumbled upon Pucón. My host family • Find a way to see the sunset in Quintay
me on the side of the highway near
warned me about the cold weather there (the collectivos stop running at 7:15pm)
since it is further south, but I had made up a bunch of grazing sheep.
• Travel to Chiloé
my mind to go. Good thing I did! Only in Chile!” • Stargaze in the north
A short 6-hour bus ride south of Cabrero is • Hike in Patagonia
Pucón—a westernized tourist town amidst the me. He had no teeth and his clothes were • Visit the host springs in Pucón
mountains, volcanoes, and lakes. It‘s disheveled. He approached me and told me I • Dance the cueca successfully
absolutely beautiful! I walked around the city had to pay him 500 pesos to continue on my • Watch a rodeo
alone for many hours that first day falling in journey. I was very confused but after • Visit Torres del Paine
love with everything there was to do and see debating my options for a minute—make a • Visit Tierra del Fuego
there: the black sand beaches along the lake, run for it or pay the man— I decided to give
the artisan vendors set up in the Plaza, the him the money. There didn‘t seem to be an
handicraft stores along Avenida Fresia, and easy way to get around him and 500 pesos
the most impressive, the active Volcan wasn‘t going to buy him a new dental plan.
Villarrica, where you can see smoke piping Every peso of the 500 pesos was worth it,
from the top of it on a clear day. as the Ojos del Caburgua simply exuded
I spent the next day hiking and exploring tranquility.
the area. My family had suggested I find the When I returned to Pucón, I walked around
waterfalls known as the Ojos del Caburgua. the town a little more. I browsed stores with 14
I hopped on a bus and it dropped me on the hand-knit ponchos, popular Chilean games,
side of the highway near a bunch of grazing and native Mapuche carvings. I eventually
sheep. Only in Chile!

15. found myself in the most artistic store. overnight, figure out what buses to take
Everything in the store was made of nails, and when, and order at restaurants.
screws, and other hardware manipulated to Now, I was talking to a shop owner about
form people and things. There were things he sold in his store… in Spanish!
motorcycles, cueca dancers, rock climbers,
soccer players, snowboarders, dentists,
teachers, and even Michael Jackson! My “I was conversing in Spanish with
favorite was a display known as borrachos, much less effort than ever before!
where nails had been sculpted into people I‟m telling you, there is something
who were obviously inebriated. There were magical about Pucón!”
about 15 different types of drunken
situations. I was impressed with the I was conversing in Spanish with much
creativeness and spoke at length with the less effort than ever before!
storeowner about how he sculpted every
I‘m telling you, there is something
single piece. It was incredible! This was the
magical about Pucón! I can see myself
first time I realized my Spanish was
starting a business there - a place where
improving. All weekend, I had been able to
people can dance cueca on a porch lit up
ask for directions, find a place to stay
at night and people can eat churrascos
and drink vino near a roaring fireplace.
Oye! It was difficult saying good-bye!
15

16. San Pedro de
Atacama
One Week in the North town are not Chilean, or even native Spanish so I told him I was looking for something for
by Eva Cappuccilli speakers. San Pedro specializes in adventure my host mom. ―Your host mom?‖ he asked.
Northern Chile is home to the Atacama, tourism, hence all the people. All that said, I briefly explained what I doing in Chile, and
the driest desert in the world. Having one what impressed me the most about San Pedro maybe it broke up the mediocrity of normal
week of vacation (a rare and wondrous wasn‘t really all the things I could do there (and conversation, but the idea of me teaching,
thing for me), I decided to brave a 24-hour there were many), or all the tourists I could talk and not just studying, interested him.
bus ride to San Pedro, a small pueblo to, but rather the sense of buena onda all ―So why did you choose Chile?‖ The usual
located smack dab in the wettest part of around. Buena onda means good vibes, and is reasons come to mind: wanting to teach,
said desert. San Pedro is known for many just as hippie as it sounds. Everyone I met from travel and learn Spanish. He laughed at the
things, such as the lagunas formed from San Pedro was very relaxed, friendly and last one and remarked on how bad Chilean
run-off from the mountains, hot springs, interested in conversation. Spanish generally is. It‘s true, Chileans
geysers, salt flats, and monstrous One afternoon, I walked around the center have definitely earned their bad reputation
volcanoes all around the outskirts of town. looking for souvenirs, when I wandered into a for speaking, by mumbling, dropping the
There are no neighboring cities for nearly shop, and started poking through the shelves. letter ‗s‘, shortening words and using an
a hundred kilometers however. It feels The shop owner came up to ask if I wanted help, inordinate amount of slang. All that said
like complete isolation… though, I can relate. I am from Tennessee.
Well, ok, except for all the gringo Every time I meet someone from a state
tourists. Valle de la Luna and Valle de la further north than Kentucky or further west
Muerte are particularly popular places to than Texas, there is a really good chance
visit, having really stunning rock he/she will make a dumb comment like,
formations and pricey tours, there is no ―But you don‘t sound like you‘re from the
other place in the world that offers better South.‖ Explaining this to him, and I
stargazing, as evidenced by sheer amount shrugged and said, ―So what? I‘ll just have
of astronomers that flock to the two bad accents.‖ He found that to be
16
observatories there; and the majority of very funny, and something as insignificant
the people walking around the center of

17. as bad accents became common ground.
I stayed and hung out with him a few times over the week, talking about religion, Things I Wish
astronomy, and all sorts of topics only hippies really care about. He was one of a
few examples of people in San Pedro being very open and friendly—more so than the I Left at Home
average Chilean. That‘s the main reason I would recommend the Atacama to people
looking to get really badly sunburned on vacation—at least you‘ll be surrounded by •Some of my tank tops/t-shirts. It‘s freezing
buena onda while you fry, trying to climb a salt formation! here, and I hardly ever take off my jacket
•Dresses & skirts
•My hair clippers. I forgot to check the voltage
requirements on them, and now I can't use them
without buying a converter that costs more than
a new pair of clippers.
•My old pocket watch. I had a vague sense that
this could be used to help teach students about
telling time, but it was quickly supplanted by a
foam clock from the 350-peso store.
•I brought too many sweaters and too many
bathing suits.
•Less casual clothes, more professional/nicer
clothes.
•I wish I had brought a 5-month supply of Sour
Patch Kids watermelon! It is my feel good snack
and nothing here compares to it!
•I wish I had brought more books to read. I was
definitely not prepared for life without internet.
•Supplies I thought I‘d need for teaching. I didn‘t
end up using half of them, and the ones I did
bring, I could have bought here.
•Half of my shoes… How am I going to get 17
them back?

18. Comida Chilena
18

19. She’s a Vegetarian
a mile radius (including people at the gesture. The first barbecue, she Felipe: Why is she eating
Empanadas de Soya made me two. They were really something else?
hospital where she where she
by Eva Cappuccilli delicious, as in heavenly choirs
volunteers). So, when I say she goes Cristina: She‘s a vegetarian.
Vegetarianism is not some passing out of her way to make sure I have sang, and I made sure to tell her as
fancy for me; I‘ve been one for half of something special for every meal, much. Well, taking note of this, she Felipe: So, she doesn‘t eat
made me three the second day. meat?
my life. Unfortunately for me, not maybe I should say, that despite being
many countries are really conducive to well-meaning, she even goes a bit too Obviously they were still really good, Cristina: No. No red meat,
this lifestyle, Chile included. Not that far out of her way… possibly earth-shattering, but I was no chicken, no turkey, no
more than a little stuffed fish...
Chileans eat more meat than other Case, the first: Independence Day.
people or anything, but they don‘t It‘s practically akin to heresy not to eat afterwards—two was plenty the first Felipe: No fish?
particularly understand what being traditional Chilean foods on Dieciocho. day. I still told her how good they
vegetarian means. No, I won’t drink Empanadas de pino are the national were, especially since she went out Cristina: No po.
chicken broth for my sore throat... No, favorite, being made with onions, of her way to make them just for me. Felipe: Eva, do you even
I’m not being difficult; some vegetarians olives, eggs, raisins, and… ground Well, if you were guessing (and like carne de soya?
don’t eat fish, and I also hate fish… beef. Understandably, I have never kudos to you), by this point you
know, on the third day, I got four. I Me: Yeah, it‘s okay.
No, I won’t just try one chorripan, tried one, but Cristina is determined
because it’s a sausage… that I never settle for empanadas de had to explain, as politely as Felipe: Do you like tofu
Luckily, my host mom has been queso, rather that I never settle at all, possible I cannot actually eat that better?
pretty good about understanding what when I could be eating something she many empanadas in one sitting, as
Me: Um, tofu‘s a good
I will and will not eat, and being the thinks I may like better. much as I would like to… ―Ja, substitute in dishes. I
sweetest lady in all of Quilpué, she Over the course of the holiday mijita, no te preocupes!‖ wouldn‘t say I like it better.
goes out of her way to make sure I weekend, we had three family Case, the second. The first time I
met my host uncle, Felipe, was at a Felipe: Well, why don‘t you
always have something special for barbecues, and on top of single- make tofu, mi hermana?
every meal. handedly making an enormous array family dinner. Cristina made roast
Cristina is about an inch short of five of side dishes and grilled goods, she chicken for every extended family Cristina: And where am I
member currently living in Region V, going to buy tofu, Felipe?
feet, and has very grandmotherly vibe, made empanadas for everyone in the
having twenty different stories to share family. As well as special ones for me. but for me, soy patties and extra Felipe: The rastafarians!
about her grandkids at all times. She‘s Not that I asked; I am completely avocado. Being ever-so-shrewd, There is a house in 19
also an amazing cook, and takes it content being a side dish vulture. All Felipe looked at my plate, then at his Peñablanca that sells all
sorts of vegan stuff. Why
upon herself to feed everyone within the same, I was very grateful for the plate, then at my host mom and don‘t you just go there?
asked:

20. While I found this conversation to be Cuisine… With a Chilean Twist
incredibly flattering, given that that both of
them were so concerned that I was •Pizza - Includes a slice of ham, corn
•French fries/potato chips with mayo
adequately fed, the idea of my little host and a slab of cheese on top. No sauce
•Beer with lemon, salt and merkén (red
mom driving thirty minutes to Peñablanca to and with extremely thick, non-pizza
pepper)
convene with rastafarians about the crust crust. Definitely not my favorite.
•Pizza. What happens every day at
possibility of buying tofu brings a hysterical •Completos. Hot dogs with tomato,
mental image to mind. I could very clearly Telepizza should be labeled for what it
avocado, and mayonnaise.
see her walking into a dark, shady, little is: a crime.
•Hamburger patties served with rice or
living room, surrounded by turbaned and/or •Choripan. Not a gringo food, but
spaghetti instead of with a bun and a
dreadlocked men, selling questionably people take the centers out of the bread
side of fries!
packaged foods, just to ask what texture of and throw them away. That's the best
•Guacamole. I know it‘s Mexican and
tofu is best for casseroles. I could also part! It took all my self-control not to
picture the way her face scrunches up while gringos alter it too, but there is
ask for the refuse pile and just chow
she listens to new information, trying to something wrong with a 2 to 1 ratio of
down on them in a corner.
process, and, well, at the time this whole avocado and canola oil in the mixture.
•Pancakes - thin, flavorless, and
conversation went down, I had the •Anything that can viably pass for
covered in manjar (dulce de leche). No
misfortune of drinking a Coke Light, and desert has an inane amount of manjar
me gusta
consequentially snorted the whole thing added to it.
down my front. My host dad thought I was
having a fit.
“How will your parents know Anatomy of an Empanada
you had a good host family,
if you don‟t gain weight?”
Patting my shirt with a napkin, I tried to
explain, it was incredibly considerate, but
really unnecessary. No matter what, she will
still find a way of trying to make sure I am
stuffed to bursting at all times. After all, the
first day I met her she told me, ―How will
your parents know you had a good host
family, if you don‘t gain weight?‖
20

21. Chelsea’s Chilean Chow
Recipes Courtesy of Chelsea Snell
Cazuela
Pollo al Jugo con Arroz Chileno Ingredients:
1 Carrot
Chicken Ingredients: Chilean Rice Ingredients: 4-5 Garlic Cloves
1 Piece of Chicken 1-2 Pieces of Celery (tops included) 3 Tablespoons of Oil
for each person ½ Red Bell Pepper
3-4 Garlic Cloves 2 Cups of Rice 2 Celery tops
1-2 Pieces of Celery ½ Red Bell Pepper
2 Carrots 1 Carrot Per Person:
2 White Onion 3-4 Garlic Cloves 1 chicken part, 1 peeled potato, ½ corn on the cob, 1 slice
1 Red Bell Pepper Salt and Oil of Zapallo (Chilean squash, that can probably be replaced
2/3 Cup of Peas with any orange pumpkin or squash)
Put oil in the pot and fry chopped
Put a little oil in the celery, thin strips of bell pepper, Finely grate the carrot into the pot with the oil, add thin
pot and cook the chicken chopped garlic, and finely shredded strips of bell pepper, finely chopped celery tops and garlic.
for 2-5 minutes. Add all veggies except the carrot. While veggies are cooking, Fry for 4-5 minutes. Then add the chicken and fry for
onion. Cut the bell pepper into thin slices heat up 4 cups of water until it about 2 minutes. While waiting for the vegetables and
and the carrots in round pieces. Add salt, boils. Add rice and fry with veggies meat to fry, boil water (quantity depends on how much
Chilean style. Let veggies and chicken cook for 2-4 minutes. Add boiling water, soup you are making) and add to the pot 2 minutes after
with the top on until carrots are soft, about 2-3 tablespoons of oil and 2 the chicken. Then add the peeled potato and corn. Add salt
15 minutes. Add onions, which are cut into tablespoons of salt. Bring rice to a to taste, Chileans use quite a bit of salt, but it sure is
long medium/small sized strips. Let simmer boil, then turn to lowest heat setting tasty! Boil for about 20-30 (until potato is close to done)
until chicken and onions are completely and simmer until finished. then add the squash. Cook until you can easily slide a 21
cooks. Stir occasionally. knife into the squash and potatoes. Finally, serve and
enjoy!!

22. GRAFITI CHILENO
22

23. 23

24. Reflections
Feeling at Home
By Chelsea Snell family no matter where I am. While it will be closest friends; we have been through
It‘s weird to think back to my first day so difficult to say goodbye, I am so fortunate everything together. We immediately bonded
arriving in Quillota, Chile. Everything was so to have been placed with such amazing, kind and formed relationships and memories
foreign, and I felt so out of place. I knew no people. that will last a lifetime.
one, I barely spoke or understood Chilean
Spanish, and now, almost nine months later, I “My time here has been one of
am leaving a new family, friends, community
most rewarding and challenging
and students whom I have grown of know so
well and love so much. While I can‘t wait to go
experiences of my life.”
home to see my family and friends, eat Mexican
food and drink real coffee, I can‘t imagine my My students who absolutely drove me
life outside of Chile. crazy, constantly made me laugh and never
My time here has been one of most ceased to surprise me, will forever be in my
rewarding and challenging experiences of my heart and thoughts. Some of them have
life. I had to learn to adapt to another culture, unthinkably difficult lives, yet they are still
language and lifestyle, but it has helped me to so loving, as well as being some of the most
grow as a person and view the world from a special people I know. I wouldn‘t have traded
completely different perspective. The people I my time with them for anything and I
have met and the places I have visited will respect and love each one of them. I want to thank everyone who has
forever remind me that there is remarkable And last but not least, the friends I have contributed to this unforgettable
beauty in this world and that we must made in Chile have made my experience experience. There aren‘t words to explain
aprovechar la vida! My host family, who took unforgettable. My Chilean friends who took how much I will miss everything Chile, but
me in as their daughter, fed me until my pants me under their wings, helped me with my I know that at some point in my life I will
didn‘t fit, welcomed my American parents into mediocre Spanish and showed me the real return to this incredible country.
their home and loved me as a member of their Chilean experience. And my WorldTeach 24
family, will always be a part of me and my family, whom I consider to be some of my VIVA CHILE!

25. Facing Challenges with a Smile
by Max Shapiro
¿Cuanto tiempo falta en Chile? ―How friends and passing a yerba mate, walking
much time do you have left in Chile?‖ alone in a field, or sitting in tranquility below
is a question that I seem to be the southern starry sky are some of the many
answering quite frequently lately, and beauties I have found in Pinto chiquitito.
every time I answer the number has Admittedly not everything came easily or
shrunk from the last. As my proceeded to be wonderful during my time in
remaining time dwindles away, I find Chile. Unfortunately, teaching was not as
myself trying to put everything in painless a task as I had hoped. I spent many
perspective. An easy task by no classes simply dealing with behavior issues,
means. This year has flown by in the and nearly six months after I began teaching a
flash of a moment. It feels as though student asked ―¿Que significa I am?‖ But
only yesterday I was anxiously even amongst these various setbacks I
boarding the plane for Santiago can look back at the countless more
having just met my fellow “Simply sitting we joyful moments I spent in the
WorldTeach volunteers. classroom. My students
friends and passing
I remember vividly the were inexplicably
nervous but excited
a yerba mate,
walking alone in a talented at bringing a
looks on the faces the smile to my face
people who would field, or sitting in
regardless of my mood.
soon become some tranquility below the
Even if it was poking
of my best friends, southern starry sky fun at my often Tarzan-
and I can only are some of the like butchery of Spanish,
imagine the look on many beauties I have the times spent with
mine. found in Pinto some of my classes will
Yet, when I think back chiquitito.” remain cherished memories.
to the months preceding Living in a foreign
this emotional day it feels so country immersed in a foreign
long ago. Another world, a different language certainly brought about its many
era of my life. When I left the States I times of doubt and frustration. I now like to tell
was accustomed to having New York people that I am so often confused that it's
City in my backyard. Big City life was when I am totally clear on what is happening,
the only life for me. Even my college that I am concerned something must be wrong.
town, Schenectady NY, was too small But I will leave Chile comfortably clear on a few
to quench my thirst for excitement. things. Working for WorldTeach over this past
Before arriving in Pinto, my new home, year has brought me some of the happiest
I could never have imagined that this moments and some of the best friends of my
tiny pueblito of 4,000 people could life. And for that I wish only to thank all of you
fulfill my desires to such a degree. who helped make this such a fantastic
Pinto has taught me life does not have experience.
to be in the fast lane, often things move
to quickly for us to even see what we 25
are passing by. Simply sitting with

26. Saludos de Chile
Alexander Lokey Crystal Chandy Melinda Lee
From: Baltimore, MD From: Seattle, WA From: Newberg, OR
Location: Quirihue Location: Cabrero Location: Cañete
School: Towson University School: New York University School: Linfield University
Major: English Major: Finance & Marketing Major: English
Ashley Marie Johnston Emily Wauford
From: Richmond, VA
Ryan Mosser
From: Heyworth, IL From: York, PA
Location: Tome
Location: Hualañé Location: Cartegena
School: Notre Dame University
School: University of Illinois, School: Vassar College
Major: Romance Languages &
Champaign-Urbana Major: History
Political Science
Major: Communications & Spanish
Chelsea Snell Eva Cappuccilli Simeon Garon-Wolf
From: Nevada City, CA From: Nashville, TN From: Denver, CO
Location: Quillota Location: Quilpué Location: Laja
School: UC Santa Cruz School: Jacobs University Bremen School: University of Denver
Major: Environmental Studies Major: History Major: International Studies
& Sociology
Chika Mba Max Shapiro Trey Thompson
From: Los Angeles, CA From: Teaneck, NJ From: State College, PA
Location: Quilpué Location: Pinto Location: Quilpué
School: Boston College School: Union College School: University of Virginia
Major: Marketing & Psychology Major: Philosophy & Political Major: Math & Psychology
Science 26