Chile Conference Call

So I just got off the phone with a group of students who are going on the summer trip to Chile and a returnee who went on the trip last year. I think it was really helpful to hear all of our questions being asked and to hear what the other kids are worried about as well. It's so cool that there are other kids in Illinois, Washington DC, New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington who are looking forward to leaving for Miami in less than two weeks just like me. Having the returnee answer all of our questions was really great too and he had a lot of country-specific advice for us. He told us about how the younger people use the word 'po' that doesn't really have a translation but is used on the end of words to show emphasis and how most of the slang words aren't different words but are just regular words that are cut short. I also thought it was good to know that we should start by only drinking small amounts of water to get our immune systems used to the different chemicals and bacteria. He told us about his own experiences too: eating a 'completo' which is a hot dog with mayo, relish, mustard, gravy, pickles, olives, lettuce, and pretty much everything imaginable on top; sharing his photos of home with his community and seeing the shock of the Chileans that he knew black and asian people; and introducing his host family to males do household chores. 12 more days!! : )