Author Archives: lkofke

Reflections/experiences: university, travel, UMass

I began my university experience at McGill University as an International Development Studies major. This major and the general environment of the school were not a good match for me, but before transferring I desperately wanted to travel and study abroad. I decided to do a direct enrollment at the Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Valparaíso (PUCV), in Valparaíso, Chile. This meant that instead of going to Chile with a program I went as an independent student, allowing me to set-up my own living arrangements, class schedule, and extracurricular activities (this also means I didn’t pay a program but rather just paid university tuition, which is usually much cheaper). Continue reading →

excuses, excuses

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Being a travel junkie, I spend a significant amount of time thinking and reading about traveling. I by no means think travel is everything, and I would encourage thoughtful and intentional travel whether you’re going on vacation or study abroad. I do think that traveling, whether to a new neighborhood, state, or country, is an incredible way to learn more about the world and yourself.

I found this article the other day on one of my favorite travel websites listing “10 excuses that shouldn’t keep you from studying abroad.” It’s a quick read that says neither money, time, or fomo (among other things) should stand in your way of studying abroad. Study abroad experiences can be anything from terribly unenjoyable to world-rockingly awesome, and sometimes can be a combination of both. It can be scary to embark on an adventure but my feeling is that you never know what you’re capable of until you try. Even if it’s difficult or scary to imagine leaving home, why deny yourself the opportunity to grow and learn in new ways? I always remind myself that sometimes my greatest learning has come from my most challenging experiences. And you never know how much fun you can have until you go!

Reflections on travel, study, and self

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I arrived in Valparaíso in July of 2012 for my third year of university. Within a month I was in love: new friends, new house, new city, I felt unbelievably lucky to have settled where and how I did. I feel powerfully influenced by the culture and people I met there; this is not to say that I now feel Chilean, but rather that I am more reflective and analytical about my assumed (American) culture, beliefs and practices. Acknowledging that self-reflection as an ongoing process, throughout my time in Chile and since returning I am recognizing in new ways the greater implications of growing up as a white female in Boston in the United States.

In Valpo I lived in a house with people of many different nationalities: Chilean, Spanish, French, German, Australian, Italian, American, and Canadian. There was constant intercultural interpretation and explanation in addition to the various language barriers. This was an enriching and exciting (and sometimes tiring) environment that allowed me to examine what it meant to me to be an American from the United States. Ongoing reflections on how I approach and interpret cross-cultural experiences, whether in a classroom, kitchen, or bar, or at student protest, has allowed me to better understand the particular influences in my life and how they are similar or different from those around me. Continue reading →