Education Abroad Student Feature: Kylee Askew and Ashley Quintela

Names: Ashley Quintela and Kylee Askew

Major(s)/minor(s):

Ashley: Journalism major, Spanish minor

Kylee: Criminology and Criminal Justice major, Spanish minor

Program: ISEP Exchange at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Location: Valparaíso, Chile

Why did you choose the program?

A: I knew that ISEP was the cheapest for me and my scholarship paid for a good chunk of it.

K: I am a Goodrich student and I selected this program to be able to apply my scholarship toward the tuition abroad. With a criminal justice major I am required to have a minor. I did not hesitate with selecting Spanish. I have loved the language ever since I was first exposed to it in eighth grade. I took two years in high school but really wanted to learn the language.

What kind of classes did you take?

A: I was able to take major classes while abroad. Because of this program, I officially declared my minor in Spanish.

K: I took all Spanish classes and was able to take 12 credit hours toward my minor. I should have taken 15 credit hours in Chile to complete my entire minor, but I got the majority taken care of, so no worries!

How did you find out about the program?

A: I just went into the study abroad office and asked about it. I knew I wanted to do it, I just didn’t know which program or where.

K: I found out from Goodrich staff members and the study abroad office!

Did you know anyone in Chile before you went abroad?

A: Nope. Honestly, I didn’t even know much about the country!

K: No, but during the Education Abroad pre-departure orientation, I overheard some student say they were going to Chile to study Spanish so I quickly emailed the Education Abroad Advisor. Funny story – that student ended up being another Goodricher I had never met before. We ended up connecting to go get our visas together and now are best friends!

I’ve heard that Chilean Spanish is difficult! Did you find that to be the case?

A: Chileans are incredibly fast speakers. It is a undeniably one of the most difficult countries to lean Spanish in. Before I went, I had very limited Spanish anyway, and being thrown into a house where they only spoke fast Spanish, it was hard to adapt. I learned a lot though! It definitely provided me with a strong foundation in Spanish.

K: Yes, it is difficult, but it’s not impossible. I feel that since I can understand Chilean Spanish, I can do anything. When I arrived in Chile, I thought instantly, “I do not know Spanish at all.” It is simply their dialect of the language. I wish I could have stayed the academic year because by the time I left I was just getting comfortable with the language there.

Did you experience culture shock?

A: There were some things that I needed to get used to, but for the most part, I didn’t struggle too much. My previous trips abroad to Peru, Costa Rica and El Salvador prepared me a lot for what life is like in different countries. If anything, I experienced more of a culture shock when I was back!

K: I did suffer from homesickness roughly three months into my time abroad. But I got over it after my trip to Brasil and Argentina. What I would recommend to students studying abroad is to let go of your phone. The more you disconnect, the more you are able to fill your time abroad doing other things.

What was a highlight of the program for you?

A: My friends! I met some of the most incredible people. I would have never met Kylee Askew if it wasn’t for this program.

K: This is a hard question to pinpoint. It is more of a collection of highlights. I was able to really push myself beyond comfort zones and immerse myself into the full experience. What I was able to take away from the program was personal growth, a love to travel, and friendships. Ashley and Chelsea were the two friendships I really took away from the trip and we talk almost daily together still. Chelsea and I are actually bridesmaids in Ashley’s wedding this summer!