The Chilean exchange program has returned to Mason this for the first time since 2015 with 21 Chilean students and two teachers traveling up from Trewhela’s School in Santiago, Chile. 18 host families have taken in these students and will be sharing their homes with them from September 9-22.

Trewhela’s School is an English immersion school based out of the district of Providencia in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Trewhela’s is in association with Cambridge University to help teach their students English starting in kindergarten. Thus, most of the students who traveled to Mason last weekend are fluent English speakers.

Host student and sophomore Hannah Whitlock believes this is a great opportunity for both Mason and Chilean students.

“I think the exchange is a really good program to meet new people, make connections, and show them around Falls Church. Also, showing them around a typical American high school is really fun and it’s cool to figure out the differences between Chile and the United States,” Whitlock said.

There also might be an opportunity for Mason students to travel to Santiago in the spring, though this trip has not been confirmed.

Throughout the Chilean exchange students’ two week trip, they will visit multiple D.C. area attractions including Mount Vernon, Great Falls, and the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Reston. Additionally, the students have already visited the D.C. monuments, the Capitol, and have even taken a day trip to the Baltimore aquarium along with their host students.

The Chilean students will be coming to Mason with their host students on Monday, September 18.