Freshmen Veronica Gonzalez traveled to Bolivia for a two week period. During this time, she visited many of the country’s attractions, such as Salar de Uyuni. Stretching more than 4,050 square miles long, it is a large salt flat that was left behind by evaporated prehistoric lakes.

“The rain covers the salt making a mirrored reflection of the sky,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez describes Bolivia as a country with rich history, fascinating customs and landscapes that are out of this world, a country like no other. The heart of South America empowered Gonzalez to expand her horizons by dining on various foods that the country had to offer.

“I ate various varieties of dishes consisting of meat, one of the main ingredients of Bolivian food,” Gonzalez said.

Despite its richness in minerals and resources, the country is South America’s poorest. Poverty is widespread, however, this allowed for Gonzalez to appreciate her life and the basic commodities in the U.S.

“If you wanted water you had to boil it or buy bottled water because it wasn’t very sanitized,” Gonzalez said.

Despite facing these difficulties, Gonzalez wishes to go back to her home country and once again experience her culture firsthand.