Last week was a whirlwind of goodbyes, planes, trains and family reunions, so it took a while for it to sink in that my six weeks in Arles are finally over.

I’m headed to Quito, Ecuador, next week to begin my studies at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). Much of my preparation has been fun and exciting—I’ve been gathering rain gear to prepare for Quito’s climate, emailing with my host, and selecting classes at USFQ—but I also devoted a surprising amount of time this summer to the more mundane task of getting my Ecuadorian student visa.

Skip the insta research – I did it for you.

A lot of my family and friends ask me why I study German, and for good reason -- it does seem kind of random. During my senior year of High School I had the lucky opportunity to visit Berlin for 3 weeks. The eccentric hipster artsy vibe of the city along with how young and surprisingly nice people were have remained with me to this day. Even though the trip was relatively short, it was impactful enough to bring me back to Germany, now three years later.

Having grown up in an urban area, Philadelphia, PA that is, I would not define Santiago as an especially outstanding city by any measure. The city layout, day-to-day activity, and the daily routines of its residents, are hardly distinct from those of many American cities and citizens. When the air is clear of the smog which often plagues the city, there are beautiful views of the mountains that surround Santiago, a view that from some perspectives is punctuated by the sleek and elegant, glass Costanera skyscraper in the city center.

As my time studying abroad in my favorite city is very quickly coming to an end, I really am not sure how I'm supposed feel.  Should I feel sad about leaving the best summer of my life and the country that I have grown to love? Should I feel excited about going back home, seeing my animals after 3 months, and starting my senior year of undergrad?  To be honest with you...it's definitely a mixture of both (with more emphasis on the saddness part).

“Ni shi nali ren?”

Hey! I'm Alexis Funaki and I am stoked to be able to blog about my study abroad experience at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland this fall semester. I currently go to Occidental College, a small private school in Los Angeles, but I am originally from San Diego, California (I actually had to buy a REAL rain jacket for the first time in my life to prepare for Ireland!).