Carolyn Kennedy
Carolyn Kennedy (she/her) - Stanford in Santiago
Major: International Relations
Minor: Spanish
College year while abroad: Summer 2024
About the photo: This is me on one of our field trips which was a 7 mile hike at Parque Aguas de Ramón with amazing views of the city and the mountains!
Contact
Email: ckenn@stanford.edu or click here to schedule an appointment.
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Santiago?
As an IR major, study abroad is one of the core requirements. Because I am a student-athlete, I can only leave campus during summer quarter. This meant my options were Cape Town and Santiago. I chose to study in Santiago because I wanted the opportunity to improve my Spanish. Additionally, I was very excited about the course offerings for this program. I did not know when else I would have the opportunity to live in South America, so it seemed like the perfect choice. Santiago is very manageable city with lots of opportunities to be in nature and explore!
How did studying away support your academic growth?
Studying in Santiago encouraged me to pursue a minor in Spanish and also developed my interest in studying authoritarian governments.
What did you learn about yourself during your study away experience, especially through any challenges or major cultural adjustments?
Studying away taught me that I although I really value structure and routine, it is so important to create free time to explore your host city. It is perfectly okay to have gaps in your schedule that allow for spontaneity and relaxation. Going into Santiago I thought I wanted to travel a ton, but I learned that I loved spending weekends in the city exploring museums, parks, and restaurants at a leisurely pace.
Briefly describe a typical day and your favorite part of daily life in your program location.
I typically woke up around 8:30AM and would work out and eat breakfast. Then I would take the bus to class which was usually 10AM-2PM. I typically wanted home from class as this gave me time for detours to cafes or ice cream shops. In the evenings, my roommates and I would cook dinner together and watch movies. Dinner and movie nights were the perfect way to end the day and build community within my cohort!
If applicable, how did participating in an internship, volunteership or experiential-based project help you grow professionally? What specific skills did you gain?
N/A.
What was the most essential item you took with you on the program?
Coin purse for pesos!
What advice would you give students who are considering studying away?
Focus on finding the program that is the right fit for you in terms of academic interest, language skills, living arrangement, etc rather than where all your friends are going or what you think sounds cool!