Plaza de Armas, Civic Center, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

After a surprising first day of orientation, the rest of the week unfolded with various trips in and outside of Santiago. On our second day, we explored the civic area of the city, with our first stop being La Moneda, the official residence of the President of Chile. We captured group photos outside the palace, appreciating the significance of being at such an important national landmark. Next, we ventured beneath La Moneda, where we saw art exhibits, artisanal shops, and even  a tai chi class happening right in the middle of the cultural center. It was super interesting to see a public space dedicated to showcasing art and culture right below the presidential residence.

The sun shone hot that day, but we persevered and made our way to Plaza de Armas, one of the city's most iconic gathering spots. The area was bustling with a grand commercial vibe, dotted with numerous shops. At Plaza de Armas, we admired buildings that dated back hundreds of years, standing proudly alongside modern skyscrapers. We also visited La Catedral, where the walls were adorned with statues and grand paintings that covered every inch of the interior. After exploring Plaza de Armas, we took a break at an ice cream shop to cool off with some refreshing ice cream cones.

But our adventures weren't limited to Santiago. At the end of orientation, we rose early and set off to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Valparaíso is famous for its vibrant art scene, with colorful murals decorating the walls at every turn. We navigated the steep climbs in Valparaíso until we reached our lunch spot, where I discovered that Chilean salmon was the best I’ve ever tasted. The city offered breathtaking views from its elevated hills. Riding a trolley car up to the top of a cerro gave us sweeping vistas of Valparaíso below, stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was an enjoyable outing, giving us a chance to bond and relax together before classes began.

After a few hours in Valparaíso, we traveled to Viña del Mar, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches. The international music festival, also named Viña del Mar, is hugely popular in Chile and is streamed on TV every night. I would watch the festival with my host mom in the evenings after orientation, hearing others enjoying it from their own homes too. With the festival wrapping up, it was exciting to finally experience the city in person after spending nights watching it on screen. Coming from Chicago, I don’t often get to see ocean beaches, and while I can’t swim, this trip ended up being one of my favorites with IES Abroad. We spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun, enjoying the waves, taking photos, and deepening our connections as a group. 

Heading into orientation, I was uncertain about what to expect or if I would truly enjoy the experience. However, as we visited so many incredible places and built strong bonds as a group, I found myself pleasantly surprised. Although the busy first week sometimes left me feeling a bit fatigued, the joy and excitement of our packed schedule helped stave off any homesickness, and I began to feel a genuine sense of belonging.