Today, we began the day around 10:15. Grabbed an apple and out the door. We headed down to the bus stop (without a Chilean student, I might add) in order to get to USM for our lectures. Once we got there, we headed to the "Industrias" building. Soon we saw that our the room was occupied. As we waited, I got to see a bit of one student's graduation process. He, dressed in a suit - cordial and full of anxious energy - and his peers were gathered outside of a classroom. I watched as they gathered around him in support. From what I gather, he took his final exam. Soon, they all went back into the classroom with professors. Then they emerged from the room, faces full with excitement and triumph. USM seems to have a pretty cool tradition. A student passes his final exam in order to get his title, which he has put a taxing 6 years into. They make a poster for them and post it on campus. Once the student learns of his success, he or she is thrown into the pool they have in the middle of a courtyard. Cool, right?
Once our instructor, Jaime Rubin de Celis, got there, we filed into the room. He introduced himself, and began to give his thorough summary of Latin American economies. He was very knowledgeable and wanted to teach us as much as possible. His information gave us a deeper view of what these countries (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia and Colombia) do, are and have experienced. It was cool to learn the answer to the "Why?"s I've had over the years. Honestly, I don't really like business or learning, speaking or thinking about the economy, but I tried my best to stay engaged. It wasn't bad, and it was something I felt I needed to take advantage of so I can at least be aware of global economies and interaction. It was interesting to get a better understanding of these intricacies of foreign countries economy and affairs. I think that was important in maintaining a business focus so that we can begin to take the world for what it's worth, navigate it in a professional sense, see the gaps and work to close them. What I got from him was that we should be able to identify weaknesses and work to strengthen them while taking into account the things that make them unique.
When we took a break and joined the student body by eating lunch, we enjoyed some pizza (crust with sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced ham and the typical cheese we've seen around the city many times), grapes or something we took to be flan, soda and soup.
After we refueled, he finished our lecture. For us, it was hard to stay visibly enthusiastic and our instructor realized it. We began to converse with him and get some our questions answered. It ended up being a really nice, informal, dialogue with a Bolivian engineer who finished high school in Germany, studied in Madrid, went to college here in Chile, has worked at Pitt and now works for the business department at USM.
Later on, we gave our presentations on our businesss we were assigned to. Chelsea, Jon and I talked briefly about the little, sketchy information we could find about Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago. Both Werner and Jaime used what I like to think of as the Socratic method in order to give us new information about it. We have a bit to learn about la Bolsa.
Once everyone presented, we headed to an chilly quad where we had a dancing lesson the night before. Another dance teacher - who, I might add, looked the part with his hoodie and sweats - came and begin our lessons. We had talked about dancing some bachata and cuban traditional. And. I. was. READY. After a warm up, we began doing some...youthful...dances to reggaeton. I will admit that we must've looked pretty kooky. I loved it though!!!! Reggaeton for me ANYDAY. And bachata. And zumba. ¡Me encantan!
After that, we got on a bus and headed back to our hotel and scrambled for food. I originally wanted to visit the keenly titled Taco Bar, but I ended up at a pizza, burger and completo joint with Marquis and Ryan. My cheeseburger was good. Not like what we Americans are used to. It was good. (I'm a foodie so just bare with me).
I got a second wind and felt like having some blatant fun. So a group of us hung out with a couple Chilean friends. Once again, we bonded over music and had a fun time.
So now, I'm back with eyes heavy and throat sore. I have to be ready at 8 am, so I guess I should go hit the shower and the pillow. I'm freezing right now, so I'm ready to get some rest before another long day comes up and wipes me out.
Next up: Company Tours of Centauro and a mushroom producer, more Chilean culture and mas reggaeton. Can't wait!
~Briana
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