Perspectives from Study Abroad in Santiago, Chile: Lily Leman

When I committed to attending the University of Wyoming, I had many people ask what drew me to this school. While I think for many of us the answer varies somewhere between affordable tuition, natural landscape, or the tight-knit community, I was equally enticed by the seemingly endless opportunities for global engagement. I knew that UW had a robust education abroad program, but it was not until I decided to take that step for myself that I discovered just how committed UW is to helping students realize their untapped potential through global opportunities.

 

I have always been interested in international education. I think this curiosity stems from my background as a non-U.S.-born citizen and always grappling with the what-ifs of growing up without truly experiencing my birth culture. I was born in China and adopted into a loving Wyoming family as an infant. However, this also meant I grew up fascinated by Chinese culture and international experiences. Fortunately, I was able to share this love for different cultures and languages with my grandma, who emigrated from Spain to the states as a young adult. Together we would practice our Spanish vowels in the kitchen while she prepared her famous ensalada rusa (Spanish-style potato salad with tuna, peas, carrots, and shrimp). During the pandemic, we would write letters back and forth in Spanish, since I knew how much of an isolating and unforgiving time it was for all of us.

 

After her passing in 2020, I knew that I had to continue my studies in Spanish. In a way, Spanish is how I keep her memory and legacy alive even when she is gone. I know she would be proud of my desire to get a degree in Spanish and my choice to pursue international opportunities at a young age, just like she did. Our shared passion for language learning and rich cultures propels me through my education and gave me confidence during the times when I was petrified to live abroad.

 

Drawing on my grandma’s strength gave me the courage to study abroad in fall 2024 in Santiago, Chile. My decision was also fueled by a desire for international exchange. My program enabled me to immerse myself in a new culture and engage in meaningful conversations. I remember countless moments sitting at the dinner table with my host mom, as she retold her experiences living during both the Allende and Pinochet administrations. I can still see the vibrant Bío Bío street markets and the crowded metro trains.

 

I also noticed Santiago had a large running culture, and I ran in multiple community races supporting various causes throughout the city. It is within Santiago’s dynamic running scene where I met new people and shared in the high energy of race day. During my time abroad, I also traveled outside Santiago to Peru, Argentina, Patagonia, and the Atacama Desert. I learned to balance the busy lifestyle, fully engaging with my host mom and appreciating Chilean culture. Except for one class, all of my courses were in Spanish, and my host mom did not speak English, creating a fully immersive environment for me to improve my Spanish abilities. 

 

Like many study abroad programs, it was transformative both within my professional and personal life. Professionally, I was able to improve my Spanish ability through the immersive structure and conduct research. Personally, I learned how to be more independent and foster a deeper sense of self, independence, and global understanding. What made my study abroad experience so enriching was not only did I feel supported in my classes, it was also where I really learned to thrive academically. Due to the outstanding professors and manageable coursework, I was able to conduct a research project that I am currently working on expanding at my home university. This research project has been monumental in shaping not only my desired career but also my academic journey when I returned to my home university.

 

While in Chile, I took a Native Cultures and Languages of Chile class. I was also enrolled in a nine-credit Spanish language track, which provided us with the opportunity to do research on a topic of our choosing. Using the curriculum from both classes, I decided to do my research on the indigenous group the Mapuche. This is Chile’s largest indigenous group, comprising 1.3 million people. More specifically, I investigated the way Mapuche rights and visibility have expanded and contracted with increased nationalism and Pinochet’s Campaña de Chilenización. I explored aspects of the Chilenidad in relation to the underrepresentation of the Mapuche group. This movement promoted cultural erasure as a means to uphold a homogenous Chilean state. I was able to conduct interviews with those of Mapuche descent and those who were more in support of a consolidated identity and negation of Chile as a plurinational state.

 

This research was so important to me that I received a grant, the J.O. Willits Prize, to go back to Chile in December and finish up my research. Thanks to the Garber Family, I am able to conduct further research at various archives across Chile, such as Archivo Regional de La Araucanía and Museo Mapuche en Cañete. My study abroad experiences were a catalyst for this international research opportunity.

 

 

This experience has also reshaped my post-graduation plans. I used to be adamant about attending law school right out of graduation. However, studying abroad has refocused my ambitions towards serving underrepresented groups and has catapulted me into potential public-service fellowships. Speaking with and hearing stories from individuals with different life experiences, perspectives, and upbringings inspired me to explore avenues I might have never considered. My study abroad journey opened up considerable opportunities for me in international education, research, and community health. Studying abroad can be the biggest tool in preparing you for future success both as an individual and as a student preparing to graduate.

 

---

 

Find more information about UW Education Abroad Opportunities, and begin your own study abroad experience.