Cornelia's Stay as a Volunteer

​  Volunteer Work 2014 

​​Dear Andrea,
Before I leave Chile on Monday, after one year and with a heavy heart, I would like  to talk to you again. Probably you are now in Germany, but sooner or later my mail will reach you.

I have now finally achieved what I had secretly hoped, but I was more than uncertain whether this would  still be possible  at my age. With your mediation I was able to live in a shared flat with the Chilean girl Eliana. Eliana and I are very close  and like each other a lot. Her family welcomed me as a family member and I got an insight under the surface of this society. The more my language skills grew, the more I became aware of the complexity of this society. And I fell in love with this country – but yes, I´m not the only one probably!

Working with my Chilean colleagues at the school also allowed me to switch from tourist status to a more accepted "Gringa status". But there were not only good times. Very late, after 9 months e a culture shock caught me, I guess anyone  would get one sooner or later  , and I became "chile-tired". But this is over now, and I leave with sadness in my heart. There is much good in this country, I have learned much from the people and there are  also bad things, as everywhere in the world.
The temptation to come again is big. My nest here is made, both in terms of work and living. I booked  a return flight to Santiago… although I really did not want to use it…pero nadie sabe del futuro!

I will always remember and I am  very thankful for your help! You made me feel secure and I had always a contact person to get in touch with.

For your future I wish you that all your dreams come true and a lot of sunny days!
Kind regards
Cornelia