Meet our students Gustavo and Ignacio, two lovely Chilean friends who also serve in the Navy. As 22 year olds, they won a trip to Boston to improve their English skills at ELC!! We sat down with both of them to discuss their life, goals, and thoughts on the city they have called home for the past month.
Gustavo: It was such a good experience. I met different people from different countries. I took English lessons every day and spoke English every day! I was able to travel to Washington D.C. I saw the statue of President Lincoln, and I was able to travel to New York. We went to Central Park, Town Square and the Liberty Tower. It was fun but I like Boston better, to live.
Ignacio: It was a good experience. It was my first time outside of my country, so it’s been really different. The teachers and the students helped me a lot. I like the U.S. because it is more organized than Chile (chuckles). There are so many things to experience.
Gustavo: The best activity I did was talking and being with my classmates. I had fun and learned a lot.
Ignacio: I enjoyed the activities at the school and my trip to New York, even though there was so much traffic and it was a little dangerous. I prefer Boston, too.
Ignacio: Definitely Gwen. She was so dynamic. She always made class fun and interesting.
Gustavo: Michelle and Gwen for sure. They are great. Gwen was helpful and every time I needed help with English, she was there to help me. She is very patient.
Gustavo: My phone. I use Whatsapp and Facebook to connect with my friends and family back home, and here. I need it.
Ignacio: My phone. Same reasons as Gustavo!
(Both laugh)
Gustavo: I love Sports. I miss training at Chile. It is fun.
Ignacio: I love rugby. In Chile, I played rugby in the Navy and participated in different teams. I have a good friend in Chile I used to play with.
Gustavo: “Like”, because I could use it a lot.
Ignacio: “Unbelievable”, because my housemate Mike uses it all the time and it is so funny.
Ignacio: Warrior. It’s about two brothers and there is a lot of fighting. Tom Hardy is one of the actors and he is great.
Gustavo: Gladiator because I like Russell Crowe. He’s cool.
Ignacio and Gustavo: (At the same time) Chipotle! It is so good!!!
Gustavo: I try very hard and I don’t like giving up. I think I am persistent.
Ignacio: I like to put effort in things. And, I am a very social person, I like talking to people.
Ignacio: I would say to look forward to “conversation block”. It is a very dynamic section. We get to play games and it is so fun, you have more interaction with your classmates. I would advise them to participate in the different activities because it teaches and forces you to practice English.
Gustavo: You should talk to people. My first day I was lost and nervous but you have to talk and participate. It will help you advance in your classes.
Gustavo: I will enter the Navy in Chile and graduate, and then I will enter the Army.
Ignacio: I will also enter the Navy in Chile and graduate, and then we will both navigate (life in the Navy). I would also love to travel to different countries and practice our English. This ELC experience and learning English is a requisite if you want to travel to different countries through the Navy. So, we cannot wait!
