The Start of Classes

The first clear view of Santiago from UAI's campus
(click on the photo to see an enlarged version)

It’s been one month since I started my clases at Adólfo Ibáñez University. Sorry for not writing sooner! It has been crazy trying to get used to all of the new things about the U . . . it’s very different from Olin. To start, there are 6,000 students – and I’m used to knowing everyone! And I have to admit that the first week of classes was really hard. Before classes even started, more than 5 different people told me that the students here are very exclusive and not very friendly . . . it’s true . . . sort of. It was very difficult to meet other students at first, but I decided that I needed to be outgoing and initiate conversations instead of being timid and shy and waiting for others to talk to me. After I talk with someone and they realize I’m not from Chile, they usually are super nice and friendly. It’s easy to meet people this way, and now I have lots of friends!

A little bit about my classes:

• Modern Hispanic-American Literature. I wanted to take this class to read and learn about the latino cultura and to improve my spanish. However, it’s kind of a weird class. There are only 3 other girls and times before I have been the only student to show up. But don’t worry . . . I’m not complaining; it’s a lot easier to understand the professor when she is speaking directly to me. It’s still weird, though. This class is the most work of any of my other classes, but it’s worth it. One awesome thing: for the past week I had to read two novels and a short story before a test – about 300 pages in Spanish. I was really nervous for the test (and the reading was really hard!), but I wrote 4 long pages completely in spanish and I received almost a perfect grade!! I think my Spanish must be improving even though I can’t really see a difference.

• Leadership. Isn’t it interesting that they offer a course on this subject? This is a required class for all first-year students that teaches leadership models and ways to diagnose problems, strategically intervene to resolve theme, and generate a change. From the description, I was excited to take the class, and the lectures have been good, but I would be willing to bet that the majority of the students really don’t want to be there, which isn’t very motivating for me either. Also, the professor speaks really quickly and it’s hard to understand him. I do have a couple friends in the class, however, and I think it will just get better.

• Workshop of Applied Mathematics. This class is a bummer. Seriously, I don’t feel like I’m learning very much. It combines Discrete Math (which I love) with programming (which I love less) in small projects. In theory, it’s very similar to an Olin call, but it doesn’t really achieve anything and the classes almost aren’t worth going to because I don’t learn anything. It’s nice that the professor is from Poland, because he speaks slowly and simply, and I can understand everything, but he’s really not a good teacher. I kind of feel bad for him. I’m thinking about giving him some feedback like the Olin way, but I’m not sure he’d be very receptive to it or want to change things. On the other hand, my classmates are super nice and fun. I have already hung out with one of them outside of school and we have plans to all go out together soon. And it’s really only for this reason that it was worth it to take the class. Did I mention that it’s an 8 am class?

• Seminar on the History of the United States. It’s possible that you are wondering why I am taking a class on the history of the US. It’s because it’s not really only history. As stated by the professor, the class is more about The United State’s International Relations during the Twentieth Century. And it’s my favorite class! I’m learning a ton about the US and am enjoying every class with all the students comments in order to look at the US through a Chilean perspective. Seriously, it’s the first time I have ever enjoyed a history class. I think it’s because it has a very relevant application to today – what have been the affects of the US’s growth and international involvement on Chile? Yes, it’s a bit tough. It’s a seminar class so there is much discussion between the professor and the students – my professor talks a bit fast and the students are even more difficult to understand than the professor. But it’s worth it – a great class!!

I also started to take another class called Energy Generation the first week, but it was a graduate-level class and too difficult in spanish, so I dropped it. That's why I only have 4 classes, each one only 3 credits for a total of 12 credits. I decided that I don't need 16 credits and that I would better enjoy my time here if I had less school work. Unfortunately, this means that I'm not taking an engineering class - how am I ever going to return to Olin in the spring??

By the way, my two goals for being here are to improve my spanish and enjoy my time. I think that with my classes and simply being here I am improving my Spanish, and I’m definitely enjoying my time. It’s very different from Olin – I can do what I want when I want to, because I have hardly any work! In fact, I have already said “I’m bored” a couple of times while being here because I don’t always have work like at Olin. It’s great!

Oh no! I don’t have much time to finish this note . . . I wanted to talk about a bunch of other things, but I need to leave in one hour to travel north. It’s Independence day weekend here in Chile, specifically September 18, but they call it “the 18th” like “the 4th” in the US or Las Fiestas Patrias (Native Parties??). It’s an important holiday with festivities and dances for 2 or 3 days; I think it’s bigger than Christmas but I’m not certain . . . but more on my experiences (and pictures) when I get back. :)

I hope all is well with everyone. Enjoy the end of the warm weather! Here the weather has just started to change to warmer temperatures . . . the spring! Please don’t forget to look at my photos http://picasaweb.google.com/loloolin337 . . . I have a few new ones of my activities during the last month.

Chao!