We are already about three weeks into the semester and classes are in full swing in Santiago. Today is the first day of autumn but the weather still feels as hot as ever. All of us in the Council exchange program are studying at the University of Chile, or the Catholic University here. I had wanted to take classes at both since the experience at each is quite different, but the schedules didn't work out. I am taking all of my classes at La Católica, the private Catholic University here. The University of Chile is known to be very liberal, open, creative, and political. For example, there are many murals on campus painted by students and classes are frequently canceled due to protests and strikes. However it is also known to be fairly disorganized. But I wanted to try it out becuase the students are known to be friendly and easy-going. Generally speaking, if one comes from a family with money he or she goes to La Católica, otherwise, they go to La Universidad de Chile.
But La Católica is a great instition as well. It is organized and demanding in its classes. But the students are a little colder, each having groups of friends from the same private high schools. The campus is beautiful and carefully maintained as it is funded by a large part through the church. I am taking six classes, two of them being sports classes that I am taking without credit.
Poesía Chilena y Hispanoamerica
Narrativa Chilena
Pobreza y Desarrollo en Chile y Latinoamerica (Poverty and Development in Chile and L.A.)
Español Intermedio
Atletismo I (Track and Field)
Montanismo I (Mountaneering)
For the poverty and development class we are required to have an 6hr/week internship with a non-profit organization. I start this Saturday working with a community about an hour out of the city. I am also going to be a teaching assistant in the English program at the University of Chile which starts at the beginning of April. In addition, most of us have found language partners, Chilean students who want to learn English. We get together about once a week and talk half the time in English and the other half in Spanish.
The class that has been the most fun so far is mountaineering. In the classes during the week we have a little bit of theory (proper equipment, history . . .) but we also do physical training (running, sit-ups, drills . . .) to get us in shape for the excursions to the mountain. In the class we have four trips outside of class. Two of them are one-day events and the last two are for the entire weekend. Last Saturday was our first event and it was a blast. All of the classes of montanismo (I, II, III) met at a park and we spent the day in fun competitions in teams. With our teams we had to complete a series of trials. Most of them involved a lot of teamwork, problem solving, and ropes and harnesses. After the competition we had a relaxing lunch of soda and empanadas (baked bread filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese). It was a tiring but fun day where we also got to know a lot of other people as well.
Sarah,
Sounds like you are having way too much fun! I would like you to take me to the mountains when you get back...you should be a pro by then! So good to read everything that is going on with you in Chile...please keep posting!
Carebear. :)
DenG GooD Balance OF Takin' in iSsues THat yOU care aboUT and Takin' Care oF yoURSElf WiTH A liTtle biT... JuST A lITtle biT OF Fun ClimBiNG... HEhEHHEh... PEace oUT, WilmINA (^_^)
Greetings from Los Estdos Unidos....a small country to the North.
What is this rumor I hear that Sarah will soon return to the US and enroll at Ohio State?
Sarah the Buckeye?
What is this world coming to?
Steve Sanderson, Sarah's distant cousin, and a loyal Illini fan from the University of Illinois
aardvark@uiuc.ede
To Distant Cousin Steve,
Sarah's family is very sorry for your misfortunes (having been raised in Illini country wasn't your fault-- you were a victim of circumstances). Now really, which would you rather be: an ill lion eye or a buckeye? And the saga continues...
d