(Reflection of Christopher Russo, Assistant Superintendent in Portland and Reynolds and currently the Director of the American School of Asuncion, Paraguay.)
South America is such a beautifully complex continent... and one, frankly, misunderstood. Prior to coming, of experiencing what life is like here, I perhaps held some misperceptions and generalizations.
I can truly say though that it wasn't long before its beauty and wonder--and for certain vibrancy--replaced whatever I had learned from school. Sure there have been struggles with the world and with each other--honestly, how are we (the US) any different?
But I think that in those struggles--trying to find an identify in the grand order of the world--S. Americans have developed a notable resiliency. Much of this resiliency centers on family and the elevation of those close relationships. In times of difficultly, S. Americans have each other and from that they are able to overcome--to surmount. Sometimes I feel like S. American relationships are palpable, like there is greater continental essence of being that want's you to know it there.
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