Classes and Culture

I am now officially registered for all the courses I will be taking this semester. The way that registration works in Chile is quite different than in the U.S. For two weeks, students "window shop" for their classes, attending however many they want to figure out if they like the course, the professor, etc. It's a little stressful to work out a schedule this way but definitely useful! I went to a literature class and was completely lost the whole time. The professor sat at his desk for the entire hour and twenty minute lecture speaking rapidly, softly, and with his hands in front of his mouth. My friend and I honestly understood about three words: hereo, degradado, y viaje. That being said, I'm very excited about the classes in which I am enrolled. At La Universidad Catolica I am taking "Temas de Chile y America Siglo XIX--Ciencia, Poder y Nacion en America," y "Aportes Del Medioriente al Arte." In La Universidad de Chile, I am taking "El Cuento Espanol Contemporaneo." I am also taking a human rights class sponsored by our program. The books and lectures we have to read for class are all photocopies. We receive a syllabus with a biography of what to read/suggested reading and have to find the book in the library, photocopy it, and return it. I wanted to take a Baile y Ritmo class but after many attempts and unforgettable adventures, it is not going to work out. Two of my friends and I did found an extracurricular class, Salsa y Merengue that we will be taking together Thursday evenings. My partner is Maxim and is an exchange student from France studying physics. Today was also my first day at a volunteer job I will be doing for the next 3 months. It is with a foundation called Coanil that houses people with intellectual and physical difficulties. I will hopefully be able to work a lot with the physical therapists.

In addition to classes, I have been experiencing and observing Chilean culture. I've had many wonderful, profound, and funny conversations with new Chilean friends (including a few firefighters), friends from my program, and other exchange students from around the world (from Spain, Bolivia, Germany, and the states). We've gone to a few concerts, to each other's houses/apartments, shopping at malls and artisan fairs, had dinner and empanadas, and of course gone danicng. I am also getting close with my family here. My little brother Italo and I have been practing Spanish tongue twisters, playing card games, playing practical jokes on each other, and playing online games. I went hiking in the Andes, which was a bit of a challenge because at the time my hand was still in a cast, however, the views were just incredible!

Everyday continues to be an adventure but I absolutely love it! I look forward to the daily challenges inundation of knowledge. I've learned a lot through simple observation as well as through conversation.