Every year, on September 18th, here in Chile we commemorate the “First Junta of Chile”, or in other words, the Chilean National Day. To celebrate, we usually hold big barbeques with our families and listen to Chilean folkloric music, which can include “Cuecas” or other types of music.
Back in 2019, I participated in an international student exchange program and lived in Nanaimo, British Columbia for a year. Celebrating the Chilean National Day over there was “special," but nonetheless a bit weird. The main reason is because the festive atmosphere that I was used to during September was not present: no more Chilean music, typical foods like “empanadas,” or that barbeque smell in the air. But when you are an international student, you have to be prepared for these kinds of situations.
However, the above does not mean that I didn't celebrate the holiday. It only meant that I had to be more creative. I remember kneeling on my bed singing the national anthem with the Chilean flag in one hand and the national song playing on my computer. Now it may seem like something strange and funny, but at the time it was something very emotional and meaningful to me. Although I was abroad, distant from my family and friends in Chile, I still kept a piece of my home country inside me.
Sometimes in our lives there will be moments when we miss the things that we are used to and that are the norm for us. And it is not unusual to feel sadness or nostalgia during these times. But these feelings don't have to last forever. We have to find it within ourselves to replicate those happy moments in a new place or in a new context. It is up to us to decide whether we spend those special days celebrating as usual (but now in a foreign environment) or lamenting because it is not the same as before.
Author: Rodrigo Bertelsen
Biography: Rodrigo is a first-year student at Pontifical Catholic University in Santiago, Chile. A Chilean, he is 18 years-old and during his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching soccer, reading or taking photos. He attended school as an exchange student in Nanaimo for 6 months in 2019. This is his first time as part of a NPO, and he is excited to learn and contribute to the community by helping out in whatever way he can.
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