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A Chilean Adventure

Nicole Schmidt-About me and my adventure

Hello and thank you for visiting my blog. It’s all about my semester abroad in Valdivia Chile, a small city (140,000 people) in southern Chile. I’m a UW-Madison student majoring in Agricultural Journalism and Agriscience Education. My friend, Danielle, and I are traveling through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Study Abroad programs. If I use the pronoun ‘we’ in my blogs, it probably refers to Danielle and myself.

A lot of people ask why I’m studying abroad. My response is, “Why not?” It’s obvious that we are globalizing everything, so the ability to understand other cultures and languages is just going to be exceedingly valuable in the future, regardless of what type of career I find myself in.

Since Chile is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are the opposite, the semester will last from March 5 until July 20. We’ll be traveling for 2-3 weeks before the semester starts to get the most of the summer weather. Contrary to popular belief, it will not be extremely hot when we get there. It’s pretty far south of the equator, so it has a climate similar to that of Oregon. Summer highs of 75-85 and winter highs of 30. The winter is the rainy season when it rains nearly every day.

I know I’ll miss my family and friends back in the U.S. while I’m gone. My parents, Holly and Jeff, are both dairy farmers on our family dairy in northeast Wisconsin. My sister, Kayla, is a senior in high school and will be attending UW-Madison next fall. My brother, Dylan, is in 7th grade and is starting to mature into a focused young man. My boyfriend, Mike, and I have been together for four years now. We’ve gone through a lot so far in our relationship, but this will be a pretty big thing to adjust to. I know we’ll make it though, it’ll just take a lot of patience, understanding, and technology.

If that’s not enough background for you, just post a message and I’ll try to answer.

10 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Kayla  |  January 11th, 2007 at 9:34 pm

    Hola Chica! Soy tu hermana aqui. Me gusta su blog y ir a leerlo mucho en la futura. Adios

  • 2. Mart Grams  |  January 20th, 2007 at 3:38 am

    Muchas felicitaciones por este blog. Voy a repasar muchas veces para leerlo. Tengo mucho orgulloso de tener una estudiante tan inteligente. Ojala puedas disfrutar de todo lo que vas a ver, comer, tomar (ten cuidado) y aprender. Recuerdate que vienes de aqui y escribe muco.

    Don Martin

  • 3. Jan Stranz  |  January 22nd, 2007 at 1:56 am

    Looks like Spanish has been the language of choice for comments, but I’ll likely stick to English…my Spanish is incredibly rusty! I echo what Kayla said in her note. I, too, like your blog and will enjoy keeping in touch with you through it. What a great adventure you have already started…even before leaving the U.S.!
    Jan

  • 4. aunt jenny  |  January 27th, 2007 at 2:47 am

    The wiitanen family wishes you luck, health and happiness on your adventure abroad! enjoy every minute of this great opportunity. your little cousin will probably be getting into lots of touble before you get back! sorry this isn’t in spanish but everything Don Martin taught me went in one ear and out the other.

  • 5. Mr. Fabulous  |  February 3rd, 2007 at 4:12 am

    Hey! I read your blog!

  • 6. Leanne  |  February 3rd, 2007 at 4:33 pm

    I am proud of you taking on this adventure. You will grow and learn so many things that you can’t even imagine. I look forward to hearing about your time in Chile.

  • 7. Jason Schmidt  |  February 5th, 2007 at 4:42 pm

    Es su Tio aqui! Mando mis mejores deseos a usted y a la nueva aventura usted acepta su vida. Esperamos que su apartamento sea tan gran como su experiencia viva conmigo. Permanezca en el contacto. Ciao..Javier

  • 8. Gena Polzin  |  February 5th, 2007 at 9:25 pm

    Wow Nicole, you have inspired me to possibly do a blog as well. It will be exciting to compare our travels. I look forward to reading your updates. Safe travels and best wishes, Gena

  • 9. Ron Schmidt  |  February 12th, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    Hi Nic,

    I hope everything is going well. The Andes must be an inspiring sight! I presume you are in or near them. At this point, I don’t have much to say… I have to go back to the blog and check out “what’s happening”.

    This past weekend was the Lion’s radar run and fishing derby. I was the “weigh-in” guy for the club. I felt like the Maytag repairman. Hardly any business. The fish weren’t biting… as has been the case all winter. I did manage to see a lot of “old” graduates and that is always fun. Didn’t see your dad though… Dylan was checking things out however.

    Better go see what is going on, on the blog.

    Ron

  • 10. Ron Schmidt  |  February 16th, 2007 at 4:10 pm

    Ola Nicole!
    Que Pasa?
    Ronaldo

  • 11. Ken Harter  |  February 17th, 2007 at 10:03 pm

    Ola Nicole
    There, I’ve used the full extent of my Spanish vocabulary. This experience has raised my IT quotient another notch–first experience with a blog. Its great to hear of your adventures. I’m going to forward your blog address to Vicky’s email account. She’s jealous because she spent a couple of weeks in Chile and Argentina a year ago on the Wisconsin Rural Leadership seminar trip and as with all of her travels, loved every minute of it.

    Ken

  • 12. Adam Hoffman  |  February 19th, 2007 at 7:48 pm

    Hey cuz. How are you doing? Hope you are having fun! So what is new with you? I dont know if you heard or not, but I just got hired with the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department. I start this coming friday, im pretty excited! Well hope everything is going good, I’ll talk to you later!

  • 13. Bob Klopke  |  February 21st, 2007 at 9:43 pm

    Hi Nicole!

    I’m a little slow in checking out your blog. I wrote it down at the FFA alumni dinner, but waited till my computer was up & running.

    What a great opportunity! I’m not much of a traveler, stuck in Gresham…. but the world appears to be yours and you are doing a great job in preparing for your future. I want you to know how proud I am of your accomplishments. You have represented yourself and Gresham in such a positive way! It is good to have role models, like yourself, for our community.

    Good luck… I’ll check back from time to time

    Bob

  • 14. Atun  |  February 27th, 2007 at 7:34 am

    Hey Nicole, hope things are doing well for you! It’s about time for spring break again here in Madison. :) Are you going to one? lol… Hope you enjoy your time in Chile!

  • 15. Ron Schmidt  |  February 27th, 2007 at 11:30 pm

    OK… so what am I missing? Oh yeah… info from you! Unless I can’t find it… you have been quiet… although quite busy I am sure.

    I just came back from a trip to MN with John Schblocker. In Mn we tied up with his cousin, Michelle. We went on an adventure to several lakes up there ice fishing. Adventure is to say the least for this old fart. We trudged at least 2.5 miles to each lake over three days. We pulled sleds with all the fishing gear. Can’t say we killed ‘em but had plenty of excitement. I did catch about an 8.5 northern pike and had one break 25 opund braided line. It was huge. Never budged it after it flicked its tail. I’d love to go again but would only do so if we had atv’s or a snowmobiles. We fished with a bunch of MN DNR guys who Michelle Carstensen [now Powell] works with. They were sucking air too… but I was damn near dying. I doubt you know John or Michelle as they graduated ages ago [that’s the relic talking here!]. John graduated with your dad.
    I have been working in Shawaono at Olga Brener with an autistic second grader. I am essentially a body guard as the boy is violent at times. I also fullfil the legal need for a certified teacher to be present. The work is not a hassle or anything. When you get back I’ll give you ore specifics if you want. Anyway… it’s a dead time of year and I if I want to go back out to CO next fall I have to pick up some $$$. I’d , of course, rather be fishing. Which is fruitless as they haven’t been biting. It’s too early to go outside and tackle all the outdoor jobs around the house I am antsy to get to.

    After sending this I am going to order some stuff from Cabela’s that I want for next fall in CO. I finally got a coupon that I figured would sooner or later come for purchases. I will work with Grandpa Schmidt[[your grandpa] to adapt what I am ordering to fit my needs. It involves welding. Again… if you are curious I’ll talk to you when I get home.

    IMy son Marc has decided to move to Nashville, TN in June. That’ll pique your curiosity. As before… I’ll explain later if you wish. Sad day here when that news came through. He does have some childhood friends there.

    My oldest son will be coming home with his family from KS in late March, unless military plans dictate otherwise. You never know. He is a Major stationed at Ft. Riley in KS.

    Enough of me and what I am doing. I rambled a bit as I know how starved one gets away from home for news. I could go on about the Gresham School etc., but it would take too long. Hopefully, if you are interested, someone in the “know” will keep you abreast of all that. Also, I presume you have access to a computer so you could occasionally “check in” on the Shawano Leader. By the way… super that your mom and Kayla will be able to get down to see you. AWESOME!!!

    Now my turn to turn the screw…. what in the HAY are you up to?
    Ron

  • 16. Ron Schmidt  |  February 27th, 2007 at 11:48 pm

    Just like me… dontcha’ know… after going back I found your latest comments about your trip. I’ll have to re-visit sooner and check this out again to figure it out. I know enough about this stuff to be dangerous.

    Godd thing you’re skinny enough to pull off that sleeping in the car trick Obviously its been a few years that I could pull that off myself!

    Have fun and be safe the rest of your excursion.

    Love “ya,

    Ron

  • 17. Kayla  |  February 28th, 2007 at 2:39 am

    Hey Nick-

    When I read about the penguins I remembered that I was going to write you about the show Dylan and I were watching the other night. It was a discovery channel episode that we just stumbled upon (didn’t feel like looking for the remote) and happened to be about southern Chile. It talked about penguins and how they have a hard time laying eggs in the mountains because they need a flat spot. And then it talked about these humming birds that almost die every night because it’s so cold and they’re heart-rates get so slow, but then they “come back to life” with the sun in the morning. Anyways, it was pretty interesting.

    It sounds like you’re having the trip of a lifetime-the opitomy of a college experience. If I were you, I’d write a book about it someday. I’m so jealous!!!

    Well, Monday is the second round of speaking contest. Wish me luck.

    Love ya,
    Kayla

  • 18. Ron Schmidt  |  March 1st, 2007 at 11:10 pm

    Hi Kayla! You too Nic. It’s Nici’s site but I get to hear from Kayla too… that’s cool.

    Up here in WI we have had a ton of snow since last weekend. School was canceled today. The snowmobilers are all smiles finally. They better enjoy it while they can as the sun is starting to pack a little punch.

    I haven’t talked to your grandparents in a while though I talked to Papa Pete out on the ice a while back and saw him long enough to say hi two days ago. Fishing was/is terrible. There was a lot of excitement down in Daytona according to the papers. Your Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt must have really enjoyed that. I’ll be talking to them soon I am sure.

    Take care and have fun,

    Ron

  • 19. Kayla  |  March 6th, 2007 at 5:01 am

    Nicki-
    So tonight was speaking contest–a nerve-racking experience. First of all it bothered me that the girl bringing people in brought me in right after the last person spoke, so I had to stand there for five minutes waiting for the judges to finish writing. Then when I said my name and chapter, the timer started right when I started talking, so I thought I’d be over time. Then I screwed up part of the intro by saying “great depression” instead of “roaring twenties,” after which I promptly corrected myself and continued. I don’t think they noticed that they did that, though, because none of them had the manuscripts open yet. Anyways, then I was really nervous and mom said that Sam Tauchen did really well and it was between him and I and she really didn’t know….but then I ended up getting first place so yaaaay!!! I’m going to state!

    Everyone at school really liked my speech as well as my opinion article in the paper. I guess the article stirred up some controversy over at Caroline Implement, though. My big tough Nate had to stand up for me because some of the guys didn’t seem to like what I was saying and didn’t think I really knew what I was talking about.

    I’m getting really excited for the big trip!!! I’m really curious to see an itinerary and learn some of the things we’ll be doing.

    Anyways, I’ve gotta do some homework now.

    Kayla

  • 20. Kayla  |  March 6th, 2007 at 11:15 pm

    By the way, Hi Mr. Schmidt!!!

  • 21. Rick Daluge  |  March 12th, 2007 at 2:47 pm

    Hi Nicole- Did you get to the city of Baricloche on your travels? I couldn’t tell for sure from the blog….anyway its a nice ski town that i hope to get back to in ski season. Hope you’re having a great time!

  • 22. Ron Schmidt  |  March 13th, 2007 at 1:37 pm

    Hi Nic… congrat’s Kayla… had to give you some grief at school about your dad writing the op piece in the Leader and your mom editing it. Good luck at state.

    What’s new in Valdivia? Are you working on a farm, touring farm sites, both? Maybe speaking to various groups? Happt to see your trip to Patagonia was fun and informative not to mention adventuresome. Big thing is you are safe and sound.

    We finally came out of a very snowy than cold period up here. The past several days have been gorgeous. Lots of ice on the lake yet but it’ll go fast now. It’s about 20 inches deep. Weather mans is calling for a bit cooler weather coming up… nothing too extreme however… highs in the lower 30’s [F].

    Risk Rosenow called last Friday. He wanted to talk to a guy I know in CO about getting a job as a roughneck on an oil rig installation. I talked to my friend and passed the phone number on to Risk. Wonder if he’ll get the job and /if then enjoy. He’s young and that is the time to explore options… look at you.

    I don’t know if you know but I took a job in Shanao at Olga Brener as a “bodyguard” for the teacher/aides of an autistic child who can get violent at times. The job is going fine. I want to back to CO next fall… including taking along the bells and whistles [Meaning I don’t want to do it on the cheap]. The $ I earn will take care of that. Dianne has several upgrades around the house she wants, and it is her turn to spend, so I figured I’d better do something to follow through on my wishes.

    I have talked to your Grandpa and Jeff and seems like a lot of same old around the farm right now. I know your mom and Kayla can’t wait to board the airplane for their excursion. I saw your cousin Mike also and he is really getting tall.

    That’s about it for here for now.

    Take care,

    Ron

  • 23. Christina Klawitter  |  March 19th, 2007 at 5:47 pm

    Hey Nicole,
    Today’s the first time I had a moment…I read through most of your postings. It sounds like you’re having an AMAZING trip, all except for the hitch hikers. I’m going to guess that Danielle was the instigator for that ! I’m so anxious to see the pics from your travels. It sounds like you’re having some cool experiences, and I love how you guys have been going with the flow so much….it’s inspiring to those of us who plan each minute of our day.
    Almost 7 months along now…it’s a boy. What’s the best Chilean male name you’ve heard? We sure can’t decide on an American one!
    Have fun!
    Christina

  • 24. Jeanne Stranz  |  March 21st, 2007 at 9:36 pm

    Hi, Nicole,
    Al was here yesterday and told us about your adventure and sent me the site today. I am going to travel with you vicariously as I do with our grandson Chris who went to Sweden and Europe last summer. Enjoy your trip and learn all you can and we’d love to hear about it when you get back.
    So far I’ve just read your starting letter and the comments. Will see if I can get into the rest. This computer stuff is still quite new to me but I am having fun with it.
    Love and God Bless you always,
    grammastranz

  • 25. Winnie Krueger  |  March 27th, 2007 at 3:03 pm

    Jeanne Stranz gave me your blog address because we just returned from Argentina and Chile. We flew into Buenos Aires then traveled by bus, plane and boat to Chile and then back to BA. The trip through the lake country was beautiful. There were alot more very big city travel than we had anticipated but then we are from Crandon, WI (2000 people) with no buildings over 2 stories.
    We thought Santiago and Mendoza were very nice cities.

    Will be following your blog to see what you enjoy. Winnie

  • 26. Ron Schmidt  |  March 28th, 2007 at 3:55 am

    Hi Nicole, Spring has sprung big time here. It got up to 80F last Monday…the 26th. Last time I went ice fishing was the 25th. Fish were biting reasonably well.

    Soon your mom and Kayla will be down for there visit. Have a great time… as if it weren’t possible to do so.

    I am going out with Dylan this Friday to set up turkey blinds for a youth hunt I am taking him on over Easter weekend. That is the day your mom and Kayla leave for Chile.

    I finally managed to read the entire text of your entries after my last note. I amsure you’ll get a lot out of your educational time there … just as you are the touristing part.

    Not much more new on this end other than Marc has decided to move toTN. He has friends there and will be going to TN State. He has senior status now and is looking forward to the change of scenery. We’ll miss him and the family a great deal of course.

    We haven’t seen much of your grandparents but wiil go out for a fish fry with them soon I am sure.

    Take care,

    Ron

 

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