I am happy to report that I now have both a student visa and a plane ticket for Chile! After getting finger prints, then an FBI background check, various medical certificates stating I have no diseases, buying additional health insurance, and receiving a letter of admission from the Universidad de Concepcion I headed to the Chilean consulate with all of the original documents needed for the student visa. It was a lovely consulate a short Metro ride from where I work on Capitol Hill. I enjoyed watching a little Chilean television and reading the newspaper (attempting to read rather-but I think I got most of it). I even picked up a brochure for a Chilean restaurant in DC that I'm hoping to check out before I leave the city. I chatted briefly in Spanish with the consulate receptionist about my trip. She was very welcoming and encouraging. Then I faxed everything off to my Rotary Foundation scholarship coordinator who in turn sent it to the Rotary travel agency who by the end of the week issued me a plane ticket!So, I fly on the morning of Saturday, January 31st, 2009 to Santiago.
I will then be spending a month in Vina del Mar (about 2 hours north) during intensive language classes. I'll definitely need to brush up on my Spanish having been out of formal study for a year. I've tried to read the Chilean newspaper-El Mercurio-online and speak Spanish whenever I can with friends but I am preparing myself for a rough re-introduction to the language. Not to mention that from what I've gathered Chilean Spanish is quite unique and often more difficult to learn. But hey, this is supposed to be a learning experience, right?!So after a month of language study, I'll head south to Concepcion, the second largest city in Chile, where I will spend the rest of my Ambassadorial Scholar year. You may be asking about housing I suppose-will at this point it's a little up in the air. For my month in Vina del Mar I will stay with a host family organized through the language school where I'll be taking classes. Then the plan is mid-February to go to Concepcion and look at different housing options with my host Rotary counselor. I've heard from a variety of sources that students typically do not finalize their housing until right before school starts in March. So, do as the Chileans do is my plan. A little disconcerning but I've already been in contact with my host Rotary counselor and she is set to help.
Also, I sadly it is my last week in Washington DC. It has been an incredible fall here. While my internship has not been as substantive as I would have liked because Congress was out of session much of this fall and the Senator I work for did not get re-elected, outside of work I've loved exploring DC and the east coast. I've met some amazing people who are energized about politics and international relations , as well as just enjoy having a good time. I've enjoyed connecting with Rotary and Rotaract here as well. I've toured just about every museum in the city and tried all of sorts of different restaurants. My co-intern Andrew was always impressed when I told him Monday mornings about my weekend adventures-"Did you really do all of that just this weekend?!" My response: "Of course, only have so much time in DC and there is so much to see and do here!"
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Lindsay Mumm
Lindsay Mumm, a 2008 graduate of Willamette University with a double major in politics and Spanish, is the 2nd Ambassadorial Scholarship District 5100 has given for the academic year 2008-2009. She departs for Concepción, Chile in January. She is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Salem.
She is already working with her host District, 4360 to develop a matching grant for ultrasound equipment for the community of Los Angeles, Chile to assist in improving the quality of prenatal care in this high risk village.
Upon graduating in May, Lindsay moved to Anchorage, Alaska for the summer to be a tour director for Holland America. where she coordinated the logistics of group travel for 8-11 day land tours throughout Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada. She is currently in Washington DC on an internship with Senator Gordon.
During her year of preparation she has actively been involved with Rotary: attending Rotary meetings of her sponsoring club, clubs in Alaska and now in Washington DC . She attended the Partners in Service Project Fair in 2007, District Conference , and the outbound Orientation for Scholars.
Lindsay sees her self working with youth -- those who are disenfranchised and under served. It is her hope that the year abroad will give her the background, understanding and compassion to become an advocate of this underserved population.
She is already working with her host District, 4360 to develop a matching grant for ultrasound equipment for the community of Los Angeles, Chile to assist in improving the quality of prenatal care in this high risk village.
Upon graduating in May, Lindsay moved to Anchorage, Alaska for the summer to be a tour director for Holland America. where she coordinated the logistics of group travel for 8-11 day land tours throughout Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada. She is currently in Washington DC on an internship with Senator Gordon.
During her year of preparation she has actively been involved with Rotary: attending Rotary meetings of her sponsoring club, clubs in Alaska and now in Washington DC . She attended the Partners in Service Project Fair in 2007, District Conference , and the outbound Orientation for Scholars.
Lindsay sees her self working with youth -- those who are disenfranchised and under served. It is her hope that the year abroad will give her the background, understanding and compassion to become an advocate of this underserved population.
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