First Graduate

This post is part of an ongoing series of blog entries by Anjie D (FG3), a Junior at Barnard College writing about her experiences studying abroad in Chile. Here's an excerpt of her latest musings.

La Vida Cotidiana; or, The Little Things I Haven’t Mentioned Yet

It sounds easier to write about the smaller, everyday insights of living abroad than it is to write about the big, life-changing moments. But it’s not easier; it’s more difficult.

For you, my dear audience who should press the Facebook “like” button at the bottom of this entry when you’re done reading it, I will try my best, a traves desome notable quotes.

“We’re Going to Re-take the Casa Central” (Current Events)

To start off, I have for you an update about a significant building in my host university. Casa Central, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso: Eerily quiet now, I presume, after the police finally received a warrant to enter the building and arrest students occupying it. And worse for wear, I also presume. My Communication and Culture professor says students have gone as far as stealing books from the libraries, a line he draws in spite of his liberal viewpoint. Basically, it looks like I will not be taking classes in that building at any point this semester, even if it is not en toma (occupied).

There is a chance that students will try to occupy it again, too. The student movement has been bigger and has lasted longer than anyone could have imagined. The students involved are determined. They will not be taking bad compromises from the government–not without a fight, at least. The two options, essentially: free and high-quality education for all, or more protests.

Not as current, but still an event: Recently a television crew flew in a Chilean air force jet to the island of San Fernandez off the coast of Chile to report on how the island is doing after the big earthquake and tsunami last year (since the island is one of the places most affected). Unfortunately, the crew did not survive the flight. Tragedy seems to follow the nation of Chile the same way a street dog in Valparaiso tries to follow you home with its sad eyes full of unexpressed love.

Which reminds me. The street dogs (of which there are many) in Chile are not dogs that lack owners; they are dogs that are owned by everyone. People feed them. People pet them. They are basically the guard dogs of public spaces, keeping an eye on all us humans, and asking only for a little food and belly rubbing in return.

“It Wasn’t a Real Dictatorship” (Chilean Politics)

If you think U.S. politics are divisive, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

To read the full post, please visit please visit Anjie's blog on IFSA-Butler site.