Ramos (classes)

Advanced Written and Oral Spanish: This is my only class with all extranjeros, but there are only 5 of us so its nice. The professor, Marcela, is absolutely wonderful. She is borderline obnoxious and intimidating, but she treats us like adults and gives us a glimpse of Chilean culture we wouldn't normally be able to get.  Last night we went to a obra de teatro in Valparaiso. It was crazy and beautiful. It was about Chile's most famous murder, Emile Dubois, who is buried in Valpo. He's a South American Robin Hood from the early 20th century...google him. Anyways the play was reverse round theatre, so instead of the actors in the middle, the audience was in the middle. The set was an old gorgeous church. Afterwards, we got drinks with Marcela, love her.

Regional and Local History: LOVE. Well, its probably going to be my hardest classes, but its uber legit. There are only 3 extranjeros and the professor is very "real". He takes his craft seriously but is interesting and funny, almost. Its not a class about the regional history of Valpo or Chile. Its a methodology studying the significance of local and regional history and how its constructed. CC and from what I have heard other colleges do not offer such a class. Honestly, this class just reinvigorates my love for my major. Also I take this class in Dracula's summer castle:

Intro to Oceanography: It's on the ocean! (but really) I usually go early to watch the tides, starfish and fishermen. The professor is an adorable man who thinks we're all idiots but nonetheless adorable.

Contemporary Chilean History: I'm taking this class at another university located in Valpo, called University of Santa Maria. I hear its one of the best engineering schools in the world and it to be a South American ivy, complete with a gorgeous campus that has a spectacular view of the ocean and Valpo (pictures soon). Anyway the class is about half-Chilean and half-extranjero (quite a few German). The professor seems to like extranjeros and I hope learn alot about modern Chile.

TAC Internship: For another 3 credits, I'm participating in an internship with a local non-profit, Taller de Accion Comunitaria. Its a ideal and "stereotypical" non-profit full of love, color and little children. I go in once or  twice a week and teach children about the environment and how to love their community. I also meet the "professor" individually once a week to discuss larger social issues. It will be a great experience to learn more about the community, issues I'm interested in and learn the language. This is a sign I found in the kitchen (and my life goal):