For years, Lipscomb University has offered its students the opportunity to study abroad. For the first time, Santiago, Chile was as option.
Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city with a population of over six million. Those students who chose to journey to Chile returned this past Monday with a lot of positive things to say about their semester.
“Best trip of my life. Best semester ever,” said Ashley Guinn, a junior bio-chemistry major. “It was a great experience. I loved traveling, getting to learn Spanish and learning about a whole new culture.”
Kelsey Hopkins, a sophomore Spanish major, also described it as one of the best experiences of her life.
“I definitely learned a lot of Spanish,” Hopkins said. “I met so many new and interesting people. Since I’m a Spanish major I wanted to become more fluent, so it was great getting the opportunity to hang out with some Spanish-speaking people.”
Guinn expressed that being in a country like Chile has its share of differences from the other study abroad programs, like Vienna or elsewhere in Europe.
“I think being in South America as a whole is a completely different experience,” said Guinn “Nobody spoke English. If you went to Europe you may find some people who spoke English.”
Some of the places students got to go include Ester Island, the Atacama Desert and Patagonia.
If you are interested in the possibility of studying abroad this summer, there will be a meeting in Ezell 109 on Thursday from 5-6 p.m. regarding that opportunity.