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When Lehigh University student Avneet Kaur arrived in Santiago, Chile, for an international internship in the summer of 2025, she spoke little Spanish. Her host mother, Mari, spoke almost no English.

Kaur initially believed speaking the same language was essential to getting to know someone and forming a meaningful relationship. But over the next two months, she discovered just how wrong that assumption was.

What developed was a loving bond that Kaur said changed her understanding of human connection. She captured the experience in a short film, Llorona (Crybaby), which has been selected as one of four finalists in the 2026 IES Abroad Film Festival.

"I don't think there's an English word that captures the kind of bond and connection that I feel with Mari," Kaur said. "She made me feel understood and cared for even before I had the words to tell her."

Voting is open through Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. EST. The public can watch Kaur's film and cast their votes at the IES website. If her film wins, Kaur will receive a $1,500 prize, and a future Lehigh student will receive a $5,000 study abroad scholarship.

Kaur participated in the internship through Lehigh's Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP), a program of the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership.

Since 2011, IIIP has provided nearly 1,000 Lehigh students with internships in 62 countries. The program offers opportunities across all disciplines and regions of the world, welcoming applications from all Lehigh students.

Kaur, who is studying computer science and business with a minor in entrepreneurship, participated in IIIP following her freshman year. She arrived in Chile with Spanish knowledge from a 90-day Duolingo streak. Despite the language barrier, Mari, who was 71 at the time, immediately made her feel welcome.

Mari learned which meals Kaur enjoyed and prepared them again, even recreating a fried rice recipe Kaur shared from her Indian background. She taught Kaur how to properly cut an onion, took her to local farmers markets, folded her laundry, and hugged her every night before bed, Kaur said.

The two also shared experiences that helped Kaur develop a deeper understanding of Chilean culture and history. Mari introduced her to family and friends and told her about growing up during Chile's dictatorship.

As Kaur's Spanish improved, the two found it increasingly easy to communicate. But Kaur said their connection had already grown strong long before they could fully understand each other's words.

"It was like, ‘You don't even know me, you just met me two days ago, and now you are treating me like your own kid,’ which was awesome,” Kaur said.

Kaur, who has been making videos since she was 12, wanted to document that connection. She had previously made a documentary about her experiences in South Africa, where she traveled during a gap year before attending Lehigh.

She was already familiar with the IES Abroad Film Festival during her internship but wanted to finish her time in Chile before creating a film about the experience. She ultimately produced Llorona for her personal YouTube channel before submitting it to the competition.

The film explores how love and meaningful relationships can develop even when people don't share a common language. Kaur said she now considers Mari a second mother. During her final week in Chile, she frequently cried at the thought of leaving and made Mari a handmade scrapbook to commemorate their time together.

"I never expected someone I had just met to become one of the hardest people to say goodbye to," she said.

The winner of the IES Abroad Film Festival will be announced Tuesday, Oct. 27, during a ceremony in Chicago.