Today was very interesting for me. I did not really do anything until about 2 p.m. After lunch I left my house to meet up with a friend of mine, so I could practice speaking Spanish. On my way there, I noticed a crowd of students blocking the university's entry. This was not the first time that I saw this. On Monday, classes were canceled because the students were striking. They were on strike because they were promised a new building, and when the university did not start working on it, they protested.
It was different today, though. There were more students spread out all over the place, and police lined up ready to take some kind of action. In Chile, it is against the law for the police to enter the campus property. So the police were standing there, waiting. Plus, they had these huge van/trucks vehicles. I did not know what they were for until later.
There was one student who had a megaphone and was shouting something, but I could not quite make it out. As I walked by, I saw the group of students I met earlier this semester. I stopped to talk to them and find out what was going on. I knew there was a strike, but I did not know what it was for. They told me that the price for the buses was going up and it was too expensive, so the students were blocking the entrance to the university so the buses could not get through.
We continued to talk about classes and the strike, when all of a sudden they told me to run. So I did. I ran with one of the girls that I was talking to. I happened to be wearing flip-flops today, too, not a good idea. While we were running I looked back. It was then that I figured out what the trucks were for. They had water in them. The police had these huge hoses that they used to spray water at the protesters. I imagine that the water hit with such a force that the students will have bruises in the morning. We stopped running and the rest of the group caught up with us.
They all laughed at me because when they told me to run, I ran like a madman. They had a good laugh about my flip-flops, too. While we were laughing about my reaction, some students started throwing rocks. They started to run because the police sprayed tear gas. I had students running past me with red eyes, wet clothes, and their hands over their mouths.
It was a lot to take in. No one was seriously injured. One girl fell while running, because so many people ran all at once. Other than red eyes and irritated noses, most of the students were fine. I do not think what happened today will deter the students from protesting later. It was really interesting, and as weird as it may sound, I am glad that I was there to experience it. Nothing like this ever happens on my campus at Central. Not to mention it is good to know that they do not want to be pushed around. It definitely speaks volumes when a large group of people get together to protest something they feel so strongly about. It sure was something to be a part of, and I will never forget it.
Chao for now.
Sarah
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
¡Bienvenidos Mechónes!
So you thought you had it bad when you were a freshman in college not knowing which building was where and hoping that your professor was not too demanding. Well, that is nothing. There is one thing that you never had to experience, an initiation. None of the incoming freshmen in Chile can avoid this initiation or welcoming.
Here at the University Austral this "initiation" lasts for the first month of classes. The second year students, who are in the same major as the mechónes (freshmen), take charge in the initiation. How do they initiate the mechónes? With vinegar, flour, paint, drawing all over their bodies and clothes, breaking eggs in their hair and setting a $5 mil Chilean pesos minimum that the mechónes have to give to the second year students. The way they collect this money is usually asking random people in the streets or in their cars if they could spare some money, mind you they are all covered in flour and reek of vinegar and dead fish.
The money that is raised from the freshmen is then put into a fund that will be used to throw a party for everyone later in the semester. At least the money is going for a good cause...
This is all so interesting to me because not only are the freshmen getting soaked in disgusting liquids and their clothes are getting ruined, but the staff does not care. They know that this tradition has been going on forever in Chile. They probably had to go through it when they were in college. It is such a normal thing; when I was talking to a group of Chilean students they asked me what we did in the U.S. to the freshmen. I said we do not do anything, especially like this. They thought that was stranger than actually dousing them in filth.
The best part about this is the fact that after the second year students make a mess of the sidewalk, the janitors clean it up as if it were an everyday mess. Well, it will be for the next month. It is such a tradition that no one finds it strange at all, and I guess I should not either.
I was lucky enough to witness this first hand. I was with a group of Chilean students, who are studying to become English teachers, and they wanted Andie (another girl from Central) and my help in tricking the freshmen to stay in this classroom. We had to tell them that a class was going to be held in this particular classroom and to wait a few more minutes because the professor was on his way. We introduced ourselves and asked them a few questions. The whole point to this was to keep them all in one location so that the second year students could "get them".
It did not take long and the classroom was full of second years in garbage bags and mouth masks, you know the ones dentists use. The freshmen moaned and were not happy. I looked around and there were so many girls dressed in nice clothes. It was crazy! The second years had a list of names and called them out one by one to get them covered in paint and marker. Then after they were done with that, they tied them all together with a rope through their belt loops. This keeps the freshmen from running.
Once they are all tied together, they are taken outside. This is where all of the mess is made with the vinegar and flour.
This is a student getting the beginning of the treatment.
Here they are all lined up to soon be doused in flour and vinegar.
Students covered in flour, so far they are lucky I have not seen any eggs.
Some last minute touch ups, and they are ready to be marched across campus.
This happens for the first month. It is expected and in reality is kind of a unique and for the most part harmless way of greeting the new comers to your school/major. It was a lot of fun watching, but I sure would not have wanted to go through it as a freshman.
Chao,
Sarah
Here at the University Austral this "initiation" lasts for the first month of classes. The second year students, who are in the same major as the mechónes (freshmen), take charge in the initiation. How do they initiate the mechónes? With vinegar, flour, paint, drawing all over their bodies and clothes, breaking eggs in their hair and setting a $5 mil Chilean pesos minimum that the mechónes have to give to the second year students. The way they collect this money is usually asking random people in the streets or in their cars if they could spare some money, mind you they are all covered in flour and reek of vinegar and dead fish.
The money that is raised from the freshmen is then put into a fund that will be used to throw a party for everyone later in the semester. At least the money is going for a good cause...
This is all so interesting to me because not only are the freshmen getting soaked in disgusting liquids and their clothes are getting ruined, but the staff does not care. They know that this tradition has been going on forever in Chile. They probably had to go through it when they were in college. It is such a normal thing; when I was talking to a group of Chilean students they asked me what we did in the U.S. to the freshmen. I said we do not do anything, especially like this. They thought that was stranger than actually dousing them in filth.
The best part about this is the fact that after the second year students make a mess of the sidewalk, the janitors clean it up as if it were an everyday mess. Well, it will be for the next month. It is such a tradition that no one finds it strange at all, and I guess I should not either.
I was lucky enough to witness this first hand. I was with a group of Chilean students, who are studying to become English teachers, and they wanted Andie (another girl from Central) and my help in tricking the freshmen to stay in this classroom. We had to tell them that a class was going to be held in this particular classroom and to wait a few more minutes because the professor was on his way. We introduced ourselves and asked them a few questions. The whole point to this was to keep them all in one location so that the second year students could "get them".
It did not take long and the classroom was full of second years in garbage bags and mouth masks, you know the ones dentists use. The freshmen moaned and were not happy. I looked around and there were so many girls dressed in nice clothes. It was crazy! The second years had a list of names and called them out one by one to get them covered in paint and marker. Then after they were done with that, they tied them all together with a rope through their belt loops. This keeps the freshmen from running.
Once they are all tied together, they are taken outside. This is where all of the mess is made with the vinegar and flour.
This is a student getting the beginning of the treatment.
Here they are all lined up to soon be doused in flour and vinegar.
Students covered in flour, so far they are lucky I have not seen any eggs.
Some last minute touch ups, and they are ready to be marched across campus.This happens for the first month. It is expected and in reality is kind of a unique and for the most part harmless way of greeting the new comers to your school/major. It was a lot of fun watching, but I sure would not have wanted to go through it as a freshman.
Chao,
Sarah
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Mis clases...
Before I tell about my classes on Monday, it is very important to understand that my Spanish is not perfect. With that said, I can give you a run down of what classes were like for me. My first class that I had was a video class. Going into it, I thought it was a class where we watched movies and critiqued them. Well, strike one. It is a movie making class!!!! We had to get into groups and write our names and e-mails down for each other. At first I was really scared, because I do not know anything about making movies. Then I realized that it is a starter course, so no one has that much experience. So instead of running, I decided to stay and take the course. I am actually pretty excited to take it. That was my first error of not understanding Spanish.
My next class was a culture class that I happen to have with another CMU student, Ben. We waited outside the classroom and waited for other students to go in before we charged in. Once the professor got there we all went in. I noticed one of my group members from my video class was in this class, too, so I said hello to him. He and I started talking and he said something like, "Oh, you are in this class?" I said that I was.
He then asked me if I liked to swim....I said that I did. But I did not understand why he was asking me about swimming. He said something else, but like I said, my Spanish is not perfect. Ben and I decided to sit next to him. He asked us why we chose this class. I told him that we need so many cultural, literature, and writing classes for our majors in Spanish. He said, but why this class? I was not following apparently, because another student turned around and asked us the same thing. I said, because of the culture. It is a culture class and we need it while we are here. He gave me a funny look, and then another student asked us do you like to swim? I said yes, why? They responded with, "We will be going to a swimming pool and swimming." I thought that sounded a little random for a culture class. So I asked, "What is the name of this course?" The other student said in English,"How do you say it....safe swimming."
Strike two.
Ben and I looked at each other and started to laugh. We were in the wrong classroom. We were told the wrong room, and we almost sat through a swimming class. We both laughed and said we had our swim suits so it wouldn't have been a problem. If it wasn't during our other class we totally would have taken it.
We ended up leaving, but now knowing where our classroom was. We ran into Eduardo, our advisor, and he showed us the room. It was in the same building, but we went to the wrong room. We introduced ourselves to our professor and he asked us a few questions, and then continued with his lesson plan. The professor then asked me a question, which I didn't quite understand. He asked it again, but I still did not it. He tried a different way of saying it, and then Ben said, what year were you born? WOW!! Strike three!!
I really need to get working on my Spanish. Other than my lack of Spanish skills, my classes seem like they are going to be really interesting. I have a literature class with Andie and Will, gringos from Central, along with two other students from the U.S. and about six Chilean students. It is a small class, and the professor is nice. I think I will learn a lot, and hopefully fast.
I also have a creative writing class, that should be really challenging and very helpful. I have that class tonight. I only have classes on Monday and Wednesday!!! That will give me an opportunity to explore and study.
This weekend is Semana Santa, and the University is closed on Friday. So this is a really crazy weekend for students to travel. My group and I have not decided for sure what we are going to do, but I think that we are planning on going to Pucón, a city in Chile. No matter where we go or what we do I will be sure to take pictures.
Chao for now,
Sarah
My next class was a culture class that I happen to have with another CMU student, Ben. We waited outside the classroom and waited for other students to go in before we charged in. Once the professor got there we all went in. I noticed one of my group members from my video class was in this class, too, so I said hello to him. He and I started talking and he said something like, "Oh, you are in this class?" I said that I was.
He then asked me if I liked to swim....I said that I did. But I did not understand why he was asking me about swimming. He said something else, but like I said, my Spanish is not perfect. Ben and I decided to sit next to him. He asked us why we chose this class. I told him that we need so many cultural, literature, and writing classes for our majors in Spanish. He said, but why this class? I was not following apparently, because another student turned around and asked us the same thing. I said, because of the culture. It is a culture class and we need it while we are here. He gave me a funny look, and then another student asked us do you like to swim? I said yes, why? They responded with, "We will be going to a swimming pool and swimming." I thought that sounded a little random for a culture class. So I asked, "What is the name of this course?" The other student said in English,"How do you say it....safe swimming."
Strike two.
Ben and I looked at each other and started to laugh. We were in the wrong classroom. We were told the wrong room, and we almost sat through a swimming class. We both laughed and said we had our swim suits so it wouldn't have been a problem. If it wasn't during our other class we totally would have taken it.
We ended up leaving, but now knowing where our classroom was. We ran into Eduardo, our advisor, and he showed us the room. It was in the same building, but we went to the wrong room. We introduced ourselves to our professor and he asked us a few questions, and then continued with his lesson plan. The professor then asked me a question, which I didn't quite understand. He asked it again, but I still did not it. He tried a different way of saying it, and then Ben said, what year were you born? WOW!! Strike three!!
I really need to get working on my Spanish. Other than my lack of Spanish skills, my classes seem like they are going to be really interesting. I have a literature class with Andie and Will, gringos from Central, along with two other students from the U.S. and about six Chilean students. It is a small class, and the professor is nice. I think I will learn a lot, and hopefully fast.
I also have a creative writing class, that should be really challenging and very helpful. I have that class tonight. I only have classes on Monday and Wednesday!!! That will give me an opportunity to explore and study.
This weekend is Semana Santa, and the University is closed on Friday. So this is a really crazy weekend for students to travel. My group and I have not decided for sure what we are going to do, but I think that we are planning on going to Pucón, a city in Chile. No matter where we go or what we do I will be sure to take pictures.
Chao for now,
Sarah
Monday, March 17, 2008
Tengo clases hoy!!!!!
This is a photo of some fishermen I saw when I went to the coast with Andie and my host parents. I have eaten so much bread and delicious food, I am about to burst. I finally figured it out with the meals. Desayuno is light, usually just bread and yogurt. Almuerzo is the main meal served around 1 o'clock. This meal consists of meat, potatoes, ensalada, more bread, fruit, and dessert with coffee. Then my family calls dinner "Once". Once is lighter than almuerzo, but it is often leftovers from almuerzo. Once is usually pretty late, the earliest I have had Once was about 8 p.m.
On Friday Ben, Andie, and I met an English class of Chilean students. It was a lot of fun. They were all very excited to meet us, and many of them made plans to see us the next week to practice speaking Spanish and English. The group of students that I talked to wanted to get together later that day around 4. So Ben, Andie, Will, and I all met up with the students for a "conversation hour". They are all very nice. I am excited to make Chilean friends!!!!! We were on campus for a few hours, and then it started to rain. We decided to call it a day, and planned on seeing each other next week. It was interesting to talk to a group of students so interested in what things are like in the U.S. Tuesday we are going to meet up with another group. That should be fun, too.
Other than Friday, this weekend was pretty uneventful. I went to al cine with Ben and Andie. We saw Horton y el Mundo de los Quien. Ben and Andie were a little disappointed that it was in Spanish, because they wanted to hear Jim Carrey and Steve Carell's voices. I was glad it was in Spanish, I need to hear as much of it as I can. Later all five CMU students met up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We went to a brewery, so our celebration was more like a Chilean/German celebration. We had a lot of fun though.
Today I officially start classes. I have three classes back to back starting at 2 ending at 7. I am just glad to be going to class. This will be a good way to meet more students and potentially make friends. I guess I should get ready to go to class. I still don't really know where all of my classrooms are. I'll let you know how my classes go.
Chao,
Sarah
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
¿Que pasa?
Well, yesterday was the first day of classes for the students at Universidad Austral de Chile. For me it was a day full of looking at class lists and checking which classes fit into my schedule. There are five students from Central Michigan University studying in Chile this semester. We were all there in this large meeting room, without working lights, trying to figure out our schedules. It was pretty hectic and I still do not think we have all of our classes straightened out.
Today we had to go to the Gobierno De Chile to register and get identification cards. That was quite the process. This building is like the Secretary of State's office. Everyone gets there when it opens, and the wait is incredibly long. We arrived at about 9 am. We went with Eduardo, our advisor. He was waiting in line to see where we needed to be and what we had to do. He came back with a form that we each had to fill out. Then we waited in line. Eduardo had to leave to go to a meeting back at the University, so we stood and waited. It only took about 2 and a half hours, which in reality isn't that bad. Once we approached the employee who had to fill out our info cards, we had to get our pictures and finger prints taken. That was great...there was ink that was wiped on this flat panel and then he took each finger and covered it with ink. After my prints were taken, he pointed to this lid of sanitizer, which is used to clean off the ink. The funny thing about it was the gel was already black..lol. So many people used it that the gel turned black in some spots. Needless to say, the sanitizer didn't work as well as it could have.
Oh, and a blast from the past. Sunday I had a great big lunch with my family and Kristi (la professora). It was so delicious. After lunch we loafed around, which was really nice. Then Andie came over and my parents asked if we wanted to go the the coast!!!! We said yes, claro! So mi padre drove and mi madre rode along with us and we explored the coast. We saw a ton of different spots where there are beaches, and took a lot of pictures. It was a great mini-vacation. I can't wait to do some more traveling!!! I am excited to actually have classes too, whenever those get figured out. Almuerzo is soon!!!!
Chao,
Sarah
Today we had to go to the Gobierno De Chile to register and get identification cards. That was quite the process. This building is like the Secretary of State's office. Everyone gets there when it opens, and the wait is incredibly long. We arrived at about 9 am. We went with Eduardo, our advisor. He was waiting in line to see where we needed to be and what we had to do. He came back with a form that we each had to fill out. Then we waited in line. Eduardo had to leave to go to a meeting back at the University, so we stood and waited. It only took about 2 and a half hours, which in reality isn't that bad. Once we approached the employee who had to fill out our info cards, we had to get our pictures and finger prints taken. That was great...there was ink that was wiped on this flat panel and then he took each finger and covered it with ink. After my prints were taken, he pointed to this lid of sanitizer, which is used to clean off the ink. The funny thing about it was the gel was already black..lol. So many people used it that the gel turned black in some spots. Needless to say, the sanitizer didn't work as well as it could have.
Oh, and a blast from the past. Sunday I had a great big lunch with my family and Kristi (la professora). It was so delicious. After lunch we loafed around, which was really nice. Then Andie came over and my parents asked if we wanted to go the the coast!!!! We said yes, claro! So mi padre drove and mi madre rode along with us and we explored the coast. We saw a ton of different spots where there are beaches, and took a lot of pictures. It was a great mini-vacation. I can't wait to do some more traveling!!! I am excited to actually have classes too, whenever those get figured out. Almuerzo is soon!!!!
Chao,
Sarah
Sunday, March 9, 2008
One more day until classes!
So, classes start tomorrow and I have to register for classes yet. It should not be a problem since the first week is pretty trial and error. I am excited to see what kind of classes I end up with. Hopefully I do not make a fool of myself the first day.The picture is of Valdivia, Chile from the bridge.
Yesterday was a lot of fun. It rained a little in the morning, but later in the day, after almuerzo, I went with Cristina to check on her friend's house. We had to feed dos perros y un gato. The dogs are boxers and they jumped all over us. After we were done feeding los animales we went into town. Cristina needed to get a winter coat, so we looked all around the stores. I ended up running into Andie and Teresa, two girls from Central Michigan University, and Andie's host sister. We laughed about running into each other and then parted ways.
Cristina found a coat and got a call from a friend to meet up for té y kuchen (it is a dessert, like a cake/pie). I met her friend Cristy, who happens to be from England, and we talked and ate for a while. She teaches English at the University Austral.
Once we were done with our snack, we walked back to Cristy's house to see where she lived. Cristina and I got a ride from Mati, Cristina's pololo (boyfriend) and arrived home for dinner. Which reminds me, in Chile poloear is the verb they use to say "to go steady with someone" and pololo/a is boyfriend or girlfriend.
After dinner I went to Unico, a supermercado. We left around 8:30 or so and I think the store closes at 10, so we did the fastest shopping that I have ever done in my life! It was so funny. There were people everywhere because a sale was going on, and the store was closing in an hour...it was great.
Today I tried to go to the pool with Cristy (from England), but it is closed for the month of March. ¡Qué lastima! We are going to be eating almuerzo soon, so I should say Chao Chao.
Chao,
Sarah
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Yesterday's events
Buenos Días
Yesterday I had guests a mi casa. Ben and Andie came to visit me. They were heading to the police department in Valdivia to get their Identification Cards, so I went along. That was a trip. Ben´s host brother drove us to the office. Once we arrived an officer took us up the stairs and told us to wait. While waiting we spoke in our broken Español. I´m sure that everyone working thought it was a funny conversation. It was a really easy process, we just had to answer a few questions and have our passports handy. We were in and out in less than an hour.
After we got our paper work straightened out, we wandered around Valdivia. I hadn´t walked through the city until then. It was so beautiful. I am so excited to get to know this area and become a "local". We went to the supermercado called Bigger, and took a look around. I bought a notebook for classes on lunes, just in case. We did some more wandering and took pictures. Then we walked back to our houses. I wanted to see where Andie and Ben live, so Andie took us to her house and introduced us to her family. Her host sister invited us to go out with them that night around 11 p.m. So Ben and I accepted.
I got to see where Ben lives after we left Andie's house. I walked back to my house to have dinner. I had a nice conversation con mi madre de Chile (all in Español) and told her that I was invited out. She thought that it was fantastic that I was going out with some friends so I could practice speaking. I got a call from Andie about 9:30 saying to get there at 10.
Once we all arrived at Andie's we started walking to the club. It is interesting because in Chile they first go to a bar and have a drink and socialize. They meet up with other friends and spend about an hour or so at this bar. After their cerveza is gone, they get ready to go to a dance club. Dancing does not start until at least 1 or 2 a.m. So, basically it is a long night out. It was a lot of fun, though. I heard a lot of reggae tech music and met a lot of nice girls who are friends of Andie's sister.
I am not sure what this weekend holds for me, but I am very excited for classes to start. I will be sure to give an update on how is goes.
Chao,
Sarah
Yesterday I had guests a mi casa. Ben and Andie came to visit me. They were heading to the police department in Valdivia to get their Identification Cards, so I went along. That was a trip. Ben´s host brother drove us to the office. Once we arrived an officer took us up the stairs and told us to wait. While waiting we spoke in our broken Español. I´m sure that everyone working thought it was a funny conversation. It was a really easy process, we just had to answer a few questions and have our passports handy. We were in and out in less than an hour.
After we got our paper work straightened out, we wandered around Valdivia. I hadn´t walked through the city until then. It was so beautiful. I am so excited to get to know this area and become a "local". We went to the supermercado called Bigger, and took a look around. I bought a notebook for classes on lunes, just in case. We did some more wandering and took pictures. Then we walked back to our houses. I wanted to see where Andie and Ben live, so Andie took us to her house and introduced us to her family. Her host sister invited us to go out with them that night around 11 p.m. So Ben and I accepted.
I got to see where Ben lives after we left Andie's house. I walked back to my house to have dinner. I had a nice conversation con mi madre de Chile (all in Español) and told her that I was invited out. She thought that it was fantastic that I was going out with some friends so I could practice speaking. I got a call from Andie about 9:30 saying to get there at 10.
Once we all arrived at Andie's we started walking to the club. It is interesting because in Chile they first go to a bar and have a drink and socialize. They meet up with other friends and spend about an hour or so at this bar. After their cerveza is gone, they get ready to go to a dance club. Dancing does not start until at least 1 or 2 a.m. So, basically it is a long night out. It was a lot of fun, though. I heard a lot of reggae tech music and met a lot of nice girls who are friends of Andie's sister.
I am not sure what this weekend holds for me, but I am very excited for classes to start. I will be sure to give an update on how is goes.
Chao,
Sarah
Friday, March 7, 2008
¡Estoy Aqui!
¡Hola!
After a traveling a great distance I finally arrived in Valdivia, Chile, which happens to be a very beautiful place. I live on an island called Isla Teja with a host family. I arrived early in the morning and my family was not expecting me until later that day, so I felt badly about my miscommunication. It all worked out. We ate desayuno together and got to know one another. My family only speaks Español. Already I feel like I have learned a lot.
I live very close to campus, actual walking distance. I still have to investigate the campus before my classes start on Lunes (Monday). I still have to register for classes, then e-mail them to Central to make sure that they will transfer.
Yesterday, I went to Puerto Varas with Cristina, my host hermana. It was a three hour bus ride, but it was a beautiful ride. The landscape is muy bonito! In Puerto Varas there are volcanoes!!! I took some pictures and I will have to post them later. It was a really nice day trip. I am glad that I was able to go to a nearby city so early in the semester.
I will write more later with fotos!
Chao,
Sarah
After a traveling a great distance I finally arrived in Valdivia, Chile, which happens to be a very beautiful place. I live on an island called Isla Teja with a host family. I arrived early in the morning and my family was not expecting me until later that day, so I felt badly about my miscommunication. It all worked out. We ate desayuno together and got to know one another. My family only speaks Español. Already I feel like I have learned a lot.
I live very close to campus, actual walking distance. I still have to investigate the campus before my classes start on Lunes (Monday). I still have to register for classes, then e-mail them to Central to make sure that they will transfer.
Yesterday, I went to Puerto Varas with Cristina, my host hermana. It was a three hour bus ride, but it was a beautiful ride. The landscape is muy bonito! In Puerto Varas there are volcanoes!!! I took some pictures and I will have to post them later. It was a really nice day trip. I am glad that I was able to go to a nearby city so early in the semester.
I will write more later with fotos!
Chao,
Sarah
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