Amanda 9.0

I have always wanted to study abroad. Ask anyone who knew me when I was 15, it's always been my game plan. I didn't always know when or where, but I knew I would regret it if I didn't.
So now, here I am, five years later, and in less than one month, I will be off to Valparaíso and Viña Del Mar, Chile to live, travel, learn, and change my life so to say.

I am excited, sure, but also completely terrified. I'd say my Spanish skills are better than some, but living in a country where I will have to depend on them, well, you could say I'm not jumping for joy. I am looking forward to improving my Spanish language, so if that means I have to embarass myself in the name of becoming fluent, so be it.

My goals right now:
1. Become a fluent Spanish speaker and maybe even reader.
2. Learn the ways of business done in Chile and South America.
3. Travel - I just read about the coach buses that go to cities in Argentina, Peru, Brazil, etc. My ultimate dream would be to travel all over South America, but likely I'll be able to travel to the safe parts at least.
4. Meet people from ALL OVER.

As of right now, my concerns involve one tricky visa, too much clothing, not enough money and knowlege of my family and classes. I kind of feel like I'm in purgatory right now. My friends not abroad started school last week. My friends who are abroad have left for their destinations of France, Ireland, Spain, England, Italy; which means I'm left to look at all their photos and wish I was in Chile already.