Sentimientos encontrados by Deanna Rice

Sentimienetos encontrados.  As I was talking with Paola, one of the teaching assistants in a kindergarten classroom at Thomas Jefferson School, about how I was feeling about my time in Chile coming to an end, she asked me what the word was in English that described such a mix of emotions. I could not think of a word that meant the contrast of emotions I was experiencing. She told me the word in Spanish is sentimientos encontrados, when emotions collide. As we have said our "see you laters" there have been many tears shed over the past week, but the smiles in the photographs radiate the joy in our hearts for the friendships we have made that we will carry with us until we meet again. 

The Good In Goodbye By Blair Claypoole

The Good In Goodbye

I have decided to not say goodbye to Concepcion, Chile or anyone I have met here on my trip. I am saying see you later! I can never actually say goodbye to this place. The people I have met here will be with me in heart and memory everywhere I go. It's winter here, a season of hibernation, but that's not what I experienced at all. The people I have met here on my trip have greeted me with open arms and hearts. Chile is beautiful because of the people who live here; they are the ones who make it come alive even in the dead of winter! No matter the season I can't wait to see all of these faces again!

 Our last car ride to school! Thank you Mr. Greg for allowing my classmates and I into your wonderful school!

Wrapping up the day with all my litte Ragin' Cajuns!

 

First try at Pisco Sour & famous Chilean wine!

This one is for Mr. Hurst! We all bleed red. Geaux Cajuns!

Many thanks to my teacher for an amazing learning experience in the classroom!

Have a wonderful winter vacation Chile! I'll be State side in no time!

A day of goodbyes by Alex Andrepont

Today we had to say goodbye to everyone at TJS. Goodbye to the students, teachers, faculty and the new friends I've made. Everyone at the school has felt like my second family while here in Chile. It was such a bittersweet day and I was much more emotional than I thought I would be. Im so sad to leave my 1b class :( Everyone at this school was so welcoming and friendly, I really am upset that I wont be seeing them every day anymore. I am happy, however, that I'll be bringing my memories and experiences back with me to the states!

My 1b that I'll never forget!

My classroom has felt like my second home for the past 3 weeks!

Somos Parte De La Familia Thomas Jefferson by Kenny Varner

Somos Parte De La Familia Thomas Jefferson by Kenny Varner

Row 1 from left: Anna Ruiz, Haley Johnson, Storey Martin, Deanna Rice, & Madeline Laiche. Row 2 from left: Meredith Hurst, Melissa Stallings, & Jordan Bedford.  Row 3: Margaret Denny, Amanda Gelpi, Alison Pourciau, Alex Andrepont, Lauren LeJeune, & Leah Saal.  Row 4:  Kenny Fasching-Varner, Blair Claypoole, & Ken Denny.

Who would have thought three weeks ago that the last day with kids would come so soon?  Having led this group through other institutions and having seen how study abroad works we know that participants have life changing experiences.  Last night the Thomas Jefferson PTA hosted a gala reception for our group complete with cocktails, appetizers, main course, and dessert.  The night was a fantastic celebration of the inaugural LSU in Chile group.  The host families, host teachers, administrators, and participants of the program celebrated the accomplishments and for the LSU folks we had the opportunity to say thank you and present the families with certificates. For the US families you will be receiving your loved ones back, but they are not the same people.  It was evident last night that the "alma" (soul) of Chile has touched each of our folks.  Below are just a few pictures because they were fun.  More to come of course -- we will be trying to figure out a way todo a group share of photos.

Anchors Away! by Alison Pourciau

Tuesday we had an adventure to the sea. My mom took me, Anna and Meredith to visit Huáscar. It is a British built turret ship that was lost by Peru to Chile in the Battle of Angamos in the War of the Pacific. It is now a museum, and also own of the few survivor ships of that kind, that can be toured for the great low price of 1000 pesos! SO AWESOME! 

When we first got to the habor it was FREEZING!! But the ship was beautiful and I was excited for the tour. 

To get on the boat you had to ride a rope pulled deck, I guess you could call it, with like a hundred other Chileans! So funny...but I definitely did not want to fall in that freezing Pacific water!

With Chief Jose Palma...typical tourist picture!

With Mama Gladys

Pulling us to the boat

We had to climb these steps to get on to Huáscar

Where Chilean Captain Arturo Prat was killed

At the front of the Huáscar

With Talcahuano in the background

Steering the Huáscar

Nice sideburns...Mama Gladys said this was common at the time

Nice displays

El Capitan's room

In the Captain's lounge

Love the Spanish

This was actually drawn by a sailor in the U.S. Navy...so cool! Geaux USA!

At the back...or maybe this is the front...idk

The Coast Guard's ship in the Pacific. Here the C.G. is part of the Army

VIVA CHILE

Huáscar

See I told ya

Across the street is a gorgeous govermental building they are still restoring it after the 2010 Earthquake

It was so great to learn about some of Chile's history. They are really proud of this ship because it represents the resilience of Chile. This ship, in her prime, was the "green monster" of Peru's navy and they tracked her down and captured her to win the war! If they would have lost, Chile would be Peru and that would be no bueno! It was such a great suggestion from Mama Gladys and I'm so thankful she brought us. 

Plus it was so cool to be in the Pacific Ocean!! Yay...check that off the bucket list!

Tomorrow is my second to last morning in Concepcion :( so sad how time flies by but the good thing is that I get to come home!!

See y'all soon!

Ciao Thomas Jefferson School! By Melissa Stallings

I truly cannot believe how incredible fast this trip has gone by.  It seems like it was just the yesterday that I was meeting my class.  It has definitely been a wonderful experience.  My goal with this trip was to keep an open mind and learn and grow as much as possible.  I feel that I have definitely accomplished that. I did not have the chance to talk with my teacher before arriving so I wasn´t quite sure what to expect.  I was greeted by a class full of warm and active children.  At times it was difficult because I could not always communicate with the children like I wanted to, but this led me to find creative solutions.  As I have found to be the case every where I have traveled in Chile, the teachers and staff at the Thomas Jefferson School were extremely welcoming and accommodating.  Both of the teachers in my classroom were always willing to work with me and to hear any new ideas or suggestions I may have.  This definitely made my experience much easier and richer.  I feel that I am returning to Louisiana with a greater understanding of myself as a person and as a teacher.  I am excited to see how my experiences here will impact my life at home.  I feel that these experiences will allow me to be a more mindful and open-minded teacher.  I have so enjoyed getting to know the children in my class.  I am sad I could not spend longer getting to know them all.

Starting the Goodbyes by Lauren LeJeune

While the three I have been in Chile have flown by, it also kind of seems like I´ve been here forever. I can`t believe I`ve got to leave the sweet teachers and students at Thomas Jefferson, and I only hope that I will see them again someday.

Miss Valeska and Miss Silvia have been acting a little bit suspicious over the past couple of days, so I knew they had something up their sleeves, but I was still absolutely blown away by the amazing farewell party they threw me today. They went above and beyond with snacks, sweets, and thoughtful presents to help me remember our time together, and I even had special visits from some of the students` parents. I've learned so much about welcoming someone into your classroom and life from the people I`ve met in Chile; they really give southern hospitality a run for its money!

This past weekend the girls in my house told me that instead of calling someone their BFF, in Chile they say MAPS. It stands mi amigos por siempre, or my friends forever. That´s how I plan to remember the wonderful people I`ve met these past few weeks - MAPS!