Welcome to my study abroad blog, you guys! Or should I say y’all?
Or todos? If you don’t know me, and couldn't guess, I’m Kristin, a student at the University of South Carolina
studying International Business, Economics, and Spanish. I moved from Freehold,
New Jersey to South Carolina after high school. Now, as soon as I've gotten (slightly)
used to the shag dancing, the sweet tea, and the “hi y’all,” I've decided it’s
time for another culture shock! I will study abroad in Santiago de Chile for most of 2015, with
two semesters of classes beginning in March and lasting through November. I am
a junior now and I have had this planned since my freshman year, when the
International Business of the Americas cohort was first introduced at USC. I
have spent the last two semesters at USC with a handful of Chilean students
from FEN and with other International Business students from USC, representing
various double majors, hometowns, and student organizations. We will all study
together at FEN for the next two semesters. This has already been a great
experience. It’s extremely comforting for me to know that I have a built-in network
of friends and colleagues in Santiago. Additionally, my ear has already been
exposed to Chilean Spanish –although, believe me, I will need ten more months to
get accustomed! Most importantly, by interacting with Chileans here, I have already
had the chance to taste Chilean culture a little bit. I don’t just mean
literally, although comida has been
part of it! On Chilean Independence Day in September, we celebrated together
with empanadas and a dessert that incorporated manjar, a dulce de leche spread. I can already tell you I’ll be
eating as much avocado (palta) and manjar as possible! Everyone talks about
the highs and lows experienced when studying abroad, and it’s safe to say I experienced
some before ever even booking my flight. There are already so many aspects of
Chilean culture that I've fallen in love with, and I can anticipate so many of
the highs. I think I've already experienced some of the lows too, many of them language related, like the time that I found out that strawberries, which have
forever and always been called fresas
in my Spanish classes, are called frutillas
in Chile. There, fresa is a different
kind of fruit, so if I were to have asked about it in a grocery store or
restaurant, it would obviously end in confusion. I’m sure I will have many frustrating
moments of thinking “why did I even learn Spanish if it’s all so different?” while
abroad, but I also know that the good moments will more than cancel them out.
As an explanation for the blog title, cachái? is a Chilean word, or chilenismo,
equivalent to “get it?” It is spoken often, after almost every thought,
especially when the Chilean at hand is speaking to a gringa like me. The origin of the word is the English “catch,” and
the verb tense is vosotros, you know,
that tense that Spanish teachers have always said to ignore? Sigh. I've also learned
that this cachái? is almost strictly
rhetorical, so I should not say “no, yo
no cacho” even when I do not, in fact, get it.
For a little more about the experiences I expect to have in Chile,
I will take four classes there this semester. One is a physical education
class on yoga, taught in Spanish and finishing out my Spanish minor (who
knew?!). There is another course taught in Spanish on humanism, economics, and
values, which I’m really excited about. Freakonomics is one of my not-so-guilty
but very nerdy pleasures, so a class that covers non-monetary aspects of
economics is something that definitely interests me. Then there are two classes
in English that will allow me to finish some of my necessary business school
requirements. These are International Management and Intercultural Business
Challenges in Latin America. I am hoping that by my second semester, I will enroll
only in classes taught in Spanish that really interest me –so, yes, that means mostly
economics. Sorry to disappoint, for all of those hoping to hear about viticultura, the wine class in Chile. As
far as my future career goals, I really want to work with developing nations in
development aid and economics. I am excited about course offerings at FEN that
will help prepare me for my career. During these two semesters, I will also be
engaged in a research project studying the global expansion of NGOs. In my free
time, I want to travel as much as possible. One of my main goals is to see as
many beach towns as possible so I can sufficiently answer, after ten months and
many dips in the Pacific ocean (which I've never been in!), what my favorite beach in Chile is. I’m also always open to the possibility of visiting other
countries in South America. I’m used to a busy schedule in the States, so I
know I will want to stay busy in Chile!
I am scheduled to leave the States on February 17, and I will arrive
in Chile and move into my apartment on February 18. After a trip to an honorary
consul in Charleston last week, I even have my student visa ready! I am
especially excited because earlier today, with two of my IBA friends, we booked
flights from Santiago to Buenos Aires. We will travel for one week in
Argentina, starting two days after I arrive in South America! What will we do
there? That’s one of the best parts…we don’t really know! Feel free to comment with
suggestions. :) Then, FEN’s International
Student Orientation is on March 3 and classes begin on March 5. I am going to Lollapalooza
Chile on March 14-15. And FEN has planned an IBA cohort trip to the Colchagua
wine valley for the weekend of March 28-29. And did I mention that it will be summer
when I get there? (Cue Olaf’s song!) Several weeks and one intense packing
session are all that remain between me and my destination.
I’m excited to share my upcoming experiences with all of you.
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| So you can put a face to the name |
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| The whole IBA cohort |
Hasta la próxima –until next
time!
