The volcano Puyehue has been dormant for decades; however, on June 6 it erupted in Chili. Not only is this volcanic action affecting the natives, but 25 Arrowhead students as well.  The trip to Argentina that students have signed up for as  part of the Spanish Department at Arrowhead as early as last June was put on hold when this volcanic news was broadcasted.

Since June 4, 2011, there has being volcanic action and rumbling from Puyehue, located between Chile and Argentina. When it finally erupted, the wind carried all of the ash and debris to the neighboring country of Argentina. This caused the government to evacuate several thousand residents from the country.

According to journalist and photographer Rich Shulman, the volcano sent up columns of ash that have shut down air traffic as far away as Australia.  This caused a big problem for the students who needed to fly into Argentina. Shulman also described Argentina’s Lake Nahuel Haupi, normally clear, as resembling a giant pit of quicksand.

The students from Arrowhead could do nothing more but sit and wait for an update. Senior Amanda Bauer says, “I have been waiting to go on this trip since last spring! If they don’t clear the flight I will very upset since there’s no make-up trip.”

Senior Sami Kroeger says, “Even though most of our $3500 will be refunded because the cancelation was government controlled, I will still be really disappointed. We all met our families we would be staying with in Argentina, and I really connected with mine. I was looking forward to spending time with them.”

This trip was a time for kids enrolled in a Spanish class to be immersed with real Spanish speakers.

“I have had an A in Spanish every year but being immersed like this is next step,” says senior Jordan Fritz.

Within a couple of days, the plane was cleared and their trip continued.

“I’m so happy most of the ash in the air finally cleared so we could still go!” Says college freshman Allie Jorgenson.