| This July, Annie Santana, a Spanish teacher at Mission | | | | Santana chose Chile, because it is more economically |
| Bay High School, part of the San Diego schools, | | | | stable than other Latin American countries. To |
| departed the city and headed for the island of | | | | prepare for her trip to Chile, she read the "House of |
| Robinson Crusoe, Chile. In the seventh year of her | | | | Spirits", by Chilean author Isabel Allende. The book |
| career, Santana joined the Fulbright teacher exchange | | | | aptly portrays the culture in Chile, which is largely |
| program. | | | | influenced by the many German immigrants over the |
| For one year, Santana will teach English as a second | | | | years. |
| language at a Chilean school on the island; but her | | | | Before leaving in July, Santana remarked of her |
| students will not be losing her. A Chilean teacher will | | | | interest in experiencing the differences between the |
| be replacing Santana at Mission Bay. While both | | | | cultures of the U.S. and Chile. She also was excited to |
| teachers are immersing themselves into their new | | | | see how Chile differs from other Latin American |
| cultures, the students in both countries also will be | | | | cultures, of which she is familiar from her own |
| exposed through their teachers to a new cultural | | | | Mexican heritage. She also was looking forward to |
| experience and another country. | | | | seeing how school operations differ from the San |
| Both teachers will have many challenges to face, | | | | Diego schools, as well as societal norms and the |
| since there are many differences between the | | | | general day-to-day routines. |
| cultures. Chilean classrooms, for example, are smaller | | | | Other differences that Santana and her students |
| in size than those in the San Diego schools. The | | | | back in the San Diego schools will experience are the |
| culture-driven relationships between teacher and | | | | Chilean customs and the difference between the |
| student are much closer in Chile, as well. | | | | Spanish known and taught by Santana and Chilean |
| Santana initiated the contact with the Fulbright | | | | Spanish, which has a different accent, slang and word |
| teacher exchange program. She believed that she | | | | usage. |
| was ready to advance to the next level of | | | | Santana is scheduled to return to the United States |
| cross-cultural experiences by teaching abroad. | | | | and the San Diego schools in July 2007. Until then, she |
| Santana thoroughly researched the available options. | | | | plans to communicate with her family, friends, the |
| Many did not meet her needs, since she would have | | | | Chilean teacher, and her San Diego schools' students |
| to give up her teaching position with the San Diego | | | | by way of the Internet. She wants everyone, |
| schools. The Fulbright program best fit her needs, | | | | especially her San Diego schools' students, to enjoy |
| since the exchange is only for one year and an | | | | her adventure with her. It is a great opportunity for |
| exchange teacher will take her place, allowing her to | | | | them to experience life outside San Diego. |
| retain her position with the San Diego schools. | | | | |