“Welcome to our country” is how we were greeted by our 10th grade class Wednesday afternoon.
We walked into this class, expecting to teach them an English lesson like we had been doing everyday. Instead, we were welcomed into their classroom to see tables decorated with Chilean flag napkins, table runners, and endless plates of homemade Chilean food. After we met this class last week, they went home and made a homemade dish to bring to school specifically for us. The students told us they wanted us to fully experience the culture here and to try each cultural dish, specific to Chile.
What?! I am still amazed at this kindness. A group of 15 year olds chose to go out of their way to make us feel oh so welcomed in their country. They wanted to make sure that our time in Chile gives us the full experience of their culture.
This sweet surprise was so special to me. I got to walk around the classroom and talk to each student about their food that they brought and they were so excited to tell me all about how they made it and why it’s their favorite dish. I could explode just thinking about all of the food I ate that day. They fed us empanadas, Sprite floats, donuts, sandwiches, sopapillas, and fancy desserts that I couldn’t pronounce even if I tried.
. 
We all ate together, laughed together, and then shared different parts of our cultures and lives. They *attempted to* teach us their national dance, the Cueca. This brought the most laughs and a video of me failing miserably at their dance is probably going viral in Chile as we speak. In return, we taught them some line dances and the Cha Cha slide (USA needs a national dance).
This is just one example of just how welcoming and loving the people of Chile are. Everyone we have come in contact with has loved us so well, and welcomed us into each part of their lives here.
