The textbooks I’ve chosen to support my studies are  Teach Yourself – Complete Greek (as I did with  Swedish), Ellinika Tora 1+1, and Epikoinoniste Ellinika. In the course I’m taking, however, we use Klik sta Ellinika, developed by the Greek Language Center, which, as far as I know, is a key resource for learning Greek and preparing for proficiency exams.

News site

Neos Kosmos

Katrimerini

Ethnos

Free Modern Greek Courses

Aprender Grego (in PT-BR)

Kypros

FSI Modern Greek Basic Course*

*The FSI Modern Greek Course is a language program developed by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute to help diplomats and government employees learn Modern Greek for work in Greek-speaking countries. It focuses on practical communication skills and is designed to be self-instructive, meaning you can study independently. The course is free and publicly available online, but it may be more formal and less updated compared to modern language courses. Nonetheless, it’s a great option for building a solid foundation in Modern Greek.

Podcast

Istorima

Audiobooks

The textbooks I have chosen to support my studies in Swedish are Teach Yourself and Mål 1. I decided not to use Rivstart, as it is not the most suitable option for self-taught learners. Perhaps, when I am more advanced in the language, I might consider it, at least Volume II. For now, Mål 1 has been meeting my needs very well. Later on, I plan to continue with På Svenska, another book I have adapted to quite well.

TV Shows and Movies

I use SVT as an essential part of my Swedish learning process. I try to watch at least one program every day, which helps me improve my listening skills and become more familiar with the language in real contexts. However, there are still many words I don't understand or struggle to remember. Even though it can be challenging at times, it motivates me to keep going and expand my vocabulary.

Free Swedish Courses

Introduction to Swedish (MOOC)

Swedish Language - Introduction

Swedish Made Easy

Swedish Vowel Pronunciation

Swedish Pronunciation

FSI Swedish Basic Course *

*The FSI Swedish Course is a language program developed by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute to help diplomats and government employees learn Swedish for work in Swedish-speaking countries. It focuses on practical communication skills and is designed to be self-instructive, meaning you can study independently. The course is free and publicly available online, but it may be more formal and less updated compared to modern language courses. Nonetheless, it’s a great option for building a solid foundation in Swedish.

Podcast

Sveriges Radio

SFIpodd*

*Aimed at SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) students, featuring stories and conversations in easy Swedish. Focuses on practical vocabulary and everyday situations.

News in Easy Swedish*

*The national Swedish radio produces news in easy Swedish. This comes out almost daily and is a great way to learn Swedish!

News Site

City Tour in Santiago

Upon arriving in Santiago, I took a brief city tour around the Vitacura neighborhood, where I was staying. The area is one of the most recommended places to stay, second only to Providencia, the favorite among Brazilian travelers. Personally, I didn’t find it bad, especially because of the hotel’s location, but Vitacura does have some limitations.

As an upscale neighborhood (which, of course, doesn’t align with my usual preferences), the main downside is the lack of public transportation options. There is no metro in Vitacura, and the nearest station was at least a 30-minute walk away. Additionally, only two or three bus lines passed in front of the hotel. Another drawback is that both markets and restaurants are quite expensive, so I decided to explore other areas to save money. On that note, I must highlight that my  Wise* and Nomad* cards worked perfectly for financial transactions in Santiago.

Given these conditions, I decided to split my city tour of Santiago into two days. Despite being over 3 km from the city center, the distance wasn’t an issue for me, as I love walking. I revisited many familiar places and discovered new ones, which gave me a fresh perspective on the city.

Vale Nevado and Farellones

I visited Valle Nevado and Farellones, the famous ski resorts located in the Andes Mountains within the commune of Lo Barnechea. The scenery is spectacular, with golden light illuminating the peaks and transforming the landscape into a true masterpiece.

Although it was outside the snow season, I joined the Andes Sunset tour, which offers the incredible experience of watching the sunset from the mountains themselves.

To top it off, we enjoyed a delicious picnic while soaking in the splendor of nature.

Cajón del Maipo and Embalse El Yeso

I took a trip to Cajón del Maipo and Embalse El Yeso. I visited the impressive dam, situated more than 2,500 meters above sea level in the heart of the Andes Mountains. The scenery is breathtaking, with waters that reflect the region's unique beauty and change color depending on the time of day, the season, and the light.

During the journey, we passed through small villages that added a special charm and an authentic touch of local culture. At the end, we enjoyed a picnic surrounded by nature, making the day even more unforgettable.

I returned to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. This time, I focused on exploring every detail of the alleys in Valparaíso’s hills, which completely transformed my perception of the city. It was a unique and enchanting experience.

In Viña del Mar, I took the opportunity to admire its beautiful landscapes, which never fail to impress with their serenity and seaside charm

玛霞 (Mǎxiá) is a combination that sounds pleasant and maintains a connection to my original name. More importantly, 霞 (Xiá) refers to the diffuse sunlight during dawn or dusk, creating a soft and beautiful atmosphere. This reflects the aesthetic appreciation present in my interests, such as photography and cinema.