My name is Ashley Wilson, and I recently completed a year-long study abroad experience in Concepción, Chile at the Universidad de Concepción. I am currently studying Art, Spanish, and Elementary Education; and while in Concepción, I mainly focused on finalizing my Bachelor of Arts degree along with fine-tuning my Spanish speaking skills.

As someone who was born and raised in a town with a population of a mere 200 people, and then experienced life in Missoula, Montana, I believe that it is safe to say that the initial adjustment to life in a larger city was challenging. Soon after my arrival, I knew that I had taken my previous accessibility to the natural world for granted. Fortunately, it was not long before I began discovering the abundance of nature parks, quaint beach towns, and breathtaking scenery that was only about a 30-minute bus ride away from Concepción’s city center. My desire to learn and experience more of the natural world in central Chile pushed me out of my comfort zone; I had to make connections, be sociable, and ask questions, things that often intimate me, given my shy personality. Ultimately, however, this contributed majorly to my growth as an individual and my self-esteem.

Naturally, as a creative person, I began to feel inspired to create art that represented the beautiful nature and the reality that I was experiencing at the time. Although some of the art classes that I took in Concepción were challenging due to language barriers and inevitable misunderstandings, I felt as if I had finally stepped into my own as an artist while abroad. After all, I was constantly exposed to new elements, opportunities, and ways of thinking. I also had to learn how to improvise, manage my time more effectively, and trust in myself and my capabilities while in such an unfamiliar environment.

This experience ultimately humbled me and made me realize just how vast and abundant the world truly is. I did not realize I was living in such a sheltered bubble until I studied abroad. Although I still have much more to learn and give, I now have a clearer vision of how I want to lead, teach and show up for myself and those around me in the future.