Classes Start

Monday, August 4th marked the day in which the class try-out session began. Different than Drexel, Pontificia Catolica allows two weeks at the beginning of the semester for the exchange students to try out different classes before officially committing. This is a great way to see which teachers you like, what subjects interest you, and how they will fit into your schedule. So far it looks like I will be taking Discourse Analysis, Consumer and Social Tendencies, Photography I, History of Chile, and LANG 200 (Drexel's new online study abroad course).

Settling In

After a 10 hour plane ride, a seat that didn't recline, and two gut-wrenching airplane meals, I finally looked out the window to find us descending below the clouds. Even in the midst of winter, the smog wasn't enough to hide the Andes that tower over Santiago. As I received weird looks for wearing shorts in "winter," I was pleasantly surprised to step out into 55 degree weather

After getting through customs and grabbing my luggage, I hopped in a TRANSVIP, a $10 van ride that dropped me off at the door of my residence. I have rented a room at Residencia Universitaria Infante (http://www.residenciauniversitariainfante.cl) in Ñuñoa, just southeast of central Santiago. My residence is a 25 bedroom house with students from all over. I have met students from Spain, Belgium, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, and New Zealand. 

After unpacking my suitcase and passing out for a 4 hour nap, I grabbed my first meal: a carne empanada and walked around my neighborhood.

ALSO: I am working on uploading my GoPro footage, but unfortunately my hard drive was stolen out of my bag at the airport.