Today I had a meeting for English Opens Doors, which is a program that provides native English speakers like me with the opportunity to assist English teachers at local grade schools. The Chilean government is making a concerted effort to make the country bilingual to keep up with globalization. I've had a few conversations with my classmates about how we feel about programs like this because it is hard to know which stance to take concerning globalization. A few of us finally decided that since the English classes are already being taught, we are not imposing our English on them. Plus, it's hard in Valdivia to find native English speakers to help with pronunciation. I think I'll be working a few hours every Thursday with 7th or 8th graders. 

I am getting excited for next week because we have 10 days off to celebrate Chilean independence! People have already started decorating their windows and cars with red, white, and blue. I am hoping that my two traveling companions and I will be able to buy our bus tickets up to Santiago tomorrow morning. The other Chilean exchange student has a room right next to mine so I can hear him singing right now. He's actually not too bad, and the words he's singing are in English. I bet he has no idea that I can hear him.