<p>I'm going to be spending high school sophomore year in Santiago, Chile. My school will not have any ECA's, clubs, etc. that provide credentials, besides Class President, Treasurer, and the like. My question is, besides working on my grades, what can I do so that this year doesn't influence the rest of my high school years, or my college admission process negatively? </p>
<p>Enjoy Chile, take lots of pictures, make lots of friends, and be ready to write a kickass essay about it. It’s only sophomore year, you’ll have time for the academic decorations later. Experience abroad is a lot more impressive.</p>
<p>Anyone can be members of clubs, be presidents, etc. but not many get to experience life in another region. Besides, Chile just had the earthquake catastrophe, so you might be able to bond with Chileans and their situation. Though one would usually think a foreigner would avoid like hell a place where something like this has happened.</p>