This is the End - Jacob Vaughn

Well, it is time for the study abroad experience in Chile to come to an end. It has been exceptionally awesome and continues to be. My family is sad and so am I, but we all ignore the fact that I depart soon. I am going to miss hanging out with Matias and his family, as well as the students and Gina.

I have learned that the students here are similar to kids in the U.S.A. They require structure, assistance, and continual challenge. I've noticed that some of the kids take his or her studies more serious than others, but this is to be expected. Gina and the students made this trip memorable, which I will never forget. A lot of the kids have been friending me on facebook and maybe they will keep in touch. It I difficult to speculate because life can/does get in the way.

This weekend I traveled to Salto del Laga. It is quite beautiful as you gaze upon the brilliant power of the waterfall silhouetted by the mist. It was cold, which was beneficial, and not a lot of people were out visiting the waterfall. After stopping at several craft stores, we left for Dichato.

Dichato was destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami in 2010. Seeing the annihilated homes was eerie knowing the natural disasters that occurred. After only experiencing a small hurricane in Louisiana, I cannot begin to imagine the terror the citizens of Dichato felt.

Sunday Matias' older brother traveled to Concepcion from Santiago to visit. Watching him and Matias interact makes me miss my big brother. Today we traveled to the country side for a bbq with Sandra's brother and sister. Good food, good times, and plenty of laughs. I am most appreciative how all of the Cordero's have treated me like family from the beginning of this program.

It has come time to wrap up this final blog. I would like to thank Herman, Sandra, and Matias for taking care of me for three weeks. I also want to thank them for taking me on once in a lifetime trips. I hope we all can stay in contact. I would like to take a moment and thank Gina for everything. Although she does not speak English and my Spanish is rusty, we were able to work very well with one another. Oh, and thank you to the students of Colegio de Concepcion for allowing me to work with him or her and for all of the laughs. Lator Gators. Blog-out. No more entries.