A New Chilean Adventure

After 7 weeks here in Valparaíso and Viña de Mar, taking classes 5 hours every weekday and trying to break out the lacrosse sticks and 3x nets whenever possible, I’m onto the next phase in my abroad program. There’s always so much and too much to do here and so little time to write about it all.

I am preparing to leave Valpo/Viña for 2 weeks to travel to Chile’s northern Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world, to live with an indigenous Aymara community. Although I am unable to shlep any lax gear up north with me,  I’m very excited for this unique opportunity and am sure many stories will come of it. Upon returning from this 2-week excursion, the month long independent research period commences. I am still finalizing the logistics and hypotheses, but no matter will be teaching lacrosse in physical education classes in a public school and a socioeconomically contrasting private school and comparing the kids’ reactions to this new sport as an indication to which demographic may hold higher levels of ‘openness to experience’- and filming it all! Until then, hopefully all the logistics come together and my project will turn into a success of some sort.

All the best to the 3x Lacrosse community stateside. Sending thoughts to DJ from down south in Chile- RIP.

~Joel Berdie