The Key is Reciprocity

Part of my SIT study abroad program is getting the opportunity to travel throughout the country, and stay with host families of different cultures. The first of these trips was to the northern Chilean town of Putre, where I got the opportunity to stay with an Aymara family for several days. The Aymara people are an indigenous group that lives in northern Chile, southern Peru and Bolivia. I learned so many amazing things through this experience, especially about the Aymara world view.

Me with three other girls from my program and our host mom from Putre! (Marie, Victoria, my host mom (Orieta), me, Anna from left to right)
Me with three other girls from my program, and our host mom from Putre! (Marie, Victoria, my host mom (Orieta), me, Anna from left to right)

In Aymara culture, a lot of emphasis is put on reciprocity, the idea that when someone does something for you, you ought to do something for them in return. As a group, our first experience was a cultural exchange with the indigenous community living in Guallatire. They shared several of their traditional dances with us, and in exchange we shared a poem (“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein) and a song (“Stand By Me”) from the United States.

All the students in my program along with the community of Guallatire participating in a traditional Aymara dance
All the students in my program along with the community of Guallatire participating in a traditional Aymara dance

This attitude of reciprocity really hit home for me, especially as I approach the half-way point of my study abroad experience. I’ve learned so much from my host country, host city and host family, and I think it’s important that I give back to the community that has received me with open arms. Spending quality time with my host family and participating in volunteer work through my program are some of the ways in which I try to give back. But, expressions of gratitude and reciprocity are different for every exchange student. The important thing is to make sure that, as an exchange student, the exchange isn’t one-sided!

While we were in Putre, we got the opportunity to visit a preschool which focuses on raising children within the context of their families, language, and culture. In return, we gave them interactive children books to expand the preschool's library!
While we were in Putre, we got the opportunity to visit a preschool which focuses on raising children within the context of their families, language, and culture. In return, we gave them interactive children books to expand the preschool’s library!

Published by Jamie Breyfogle

Class of 2021 SIT Valparaíso, Chile International Studies, Philosophy, Spanish

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