I would like to start this blog entry by thanking all the students who definitely performed very well during the lectures and visits to the companies. All students have asked a lot of questions, and they were very interested on learning more about the Chilean culture. Thanks also to Werner (faculty at UTSM) and his students. They were in charge of making these two weeks enjoyable and at the same time academically oriented. Also thanks for Christopher, our trip assistant who definitely helped a lot.
The last week, we went horseback riding along the sand dunes and the beach, what a great day!!! After that we had “asado”, excellent day!!! On the other days, we went to a SPA (just to relax), and to Santiago (Chile’s capital) to visit the “bolsa de comercio” or the Stock Exchange. We did some touring around Santiago, a beautiful city.
I hope these two weeks have given students enough experience about studying abroad, learning other cultures, having classes in other countries, speaking more Spanish, and in general everything that could help them during the development of their careers.
Again, please visit the blogs from the students for further details. Here some additional pictures.
We are here in Chile for about a week now; we had several lectures on Chilean’s history, culture, economy and other interesting topics. We have visited companies such as Bosque del Mauco (http://www.bosquesdelmauco.com/en/), Centauro (http://www.conservas-centauro.cl/), Vina Indomita (http://www.indomita.cl/) and LAN Airlines (http://www.lan.com/). We also went to Pablo Neruda’s house which is now a museum. Students have also enjoyed their free time interacting with Chilean students. The last Saturday we went to see a soccer match between Everton vs Arica. Even though, they tied 2-2, it was a great experience for our Plus3 students; they realize how important soccer in the rest or the world especially in South America is. Last night, students, staff and faculty went to have our family dinner at a nice restaurant. Everybody forgot about jeans and tennis shoes, by dressing up a little more formal. This weekend (I almost ending up being at Starbucks for the whole day) I have finished grading all individual reports that students prepared before coming to Chile, it was really an interesting task reading the concepts and ideas they had before this trip, and seeing that some of those are being adjusted while being here in Chile. I have also graded the blog inputs; I personally think the blogging part to be a crucial part of this trip, since students are actually making a summary of each day and thinking what they have learned, observed, discussed, about Chile. This is also great for their family that I am sure relatives are following these very well rounded blogs. Some of them contain discussions, nice pictures, and in general daily activities.
Students also learned how to dance Salsa and Reggaeton, and I am sure they had enough time to practice them during their free nights.
Up to now, everything is going smooth, this week seems promising. Please follow the student’s blogs, I am sure they have more to share …
Here some pictures:
Yesterday, May 09th, 2011, students had their first lectures at Santa Maria University. We thank Werner Kristjanpoller and his entire group for organizing the activities, from picking us at Santiago Airport to giving us the lectures. Yesterday, Mr. Cortes has given us an outstanding short course about Chilean Culture. I am very glad that the lectures are interactive where all the students are asking questions, making comments and in general discussing analogies and differences between Chile and USA. Main topics were: Geography, History and Tourism. Student have already a homework for next Wednesday: What kind of business idea can you think to develop in Chile or with Chileans? This homework should be done in groups.
Yesterday, in the afternoon we continued learning about Chilean culture but this time on the field, we went to several places in Valparaison and Viña del Mar. Around 6pm, we have arrived to a small restaurant to get the famous "empanadas". Initially students just asked the safest choices since there were like 20 different types of empanadas, however, after trying the first one, some of them tried the "Manjar Platano" which was a complete success. After that, we went back to the University and students, faculty and staff learned how to dance "salsa". Today, we have again several activities planned, where the emphasis will be on Chilean Business.
Please, check the student's blogs for more information...
Welcome to the Plus3 Chile Website. Please check this website for reports on our Plus3 Chile program. The final pre-departure workshop will be Sunday, April 03 at 3 PM in 104 Mervis Hall. At this meeting students will make presentations about their companies and about Chile, we will discuss the trip, packing and other details, and we will have a Spanish class.
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