My semester in Santiago

I am in Santiago de Chile and it all seems so surreal. I've only been here for a day and a half and I already have housing and internships almost lined up. Now it's a matter of choosing what I want to do and where I want to live as opposed to not having any options for either.

Santiago is a beautiful city. Imagine stylish people, nice weather, European city life and the hustle/bustle of New York. But all the while still being Latin America. It's a very unique city and I think I will like it here.

I still don't have regular internet access yet so I will post more details soon once I move into a permanent place to live.

But everything is well in Chile!

Love,

Apoorva

Posted by Apoorva at 15:20 | Permalink | Comments

Tomorrow, I am flying off to Santiago de Chile. Well as long as another little storm in the making doesn't get in the way.

Today, Mr. Ernesto decided to head right towards Miami, and so at about 8:30 in the evening I receive a voicemail from American Airlines telling me that the first leg of my flight, Houston to Miami, was cancelled. So I did a quick phone call to AA, and luckily I was re-routed, and I shall be flying to Dallas from Houston and then taking the flight from Dallas to Santiago.

I'll be leaving Houston a little later tomorrow and arriving in Santiago an hour later Wednesday, but no worries. I am sad I will miss out on the cortaditos and Cuban food in the Miami airport, but that shall wait for the trip back.

I have also been scrambling this week calling tons of different places in Chile to inquire about internship opportunities. There's a ton of interesting places, and right now I am looking into Un Techo para Chile and Accion Emprendedora. Both are organizations that work with microcredit and entrepreneurs. The second doing exactly what interests me right now: finding, training, consulting, and investing in entrepreneurs around the country to help improve their economic condition. And the whole organization is run by mostly students and recent grads.

But who knows where I will end up, nothing is secure yet. This week of finding an internship seems like it will be fun. I really don't know what to expect, but that's the theme of 2006 isn't it?

Goodbye for now Houston, see you in Santiago,

Apoorva

Posted by Apoorva at 00:56 | Permalink | Comments

My summer home is still boiling in tension. I remember posting one week before I left for Oaxaca about the conflict between the teachers and the state government. And it looks like neither side is letting down yet.

It reminds me of one of those hostage movies where the police are confused because if they give the kidnapper what he wants, every criminal in the city would start kidnapping people and if they try to raid him, he would kill someone. But it always ends up okay by the end in the movie. Perhaps we need Samuel L. Jackson, "The Negotiator," to fly into Oaxaca and save the day.

There has also been some social unrest in Chile as well. Students there have made demands to the government for more benefits. It's an amazing feat of mobilization. But it's sad that a few idiots have spurred violence in an otherwise peaceful movement.

Legitimate social movements being taken over by radicals and fools...that's the news this time.

Posted by Apoorva at 16:48 | Permalink | Comments

This semester, I have taken a leave of absence from Rice University and have decided to go to Santiago, Chile until December. There I will be living in the city and pursuing an internship in an organization that interests me. For me, this semester is about gaining real, professional experience and learning more about social entrepreneurship, microfinance, economic and political development, and leadership.

I decided against doing a regular study abroad program because I felt like this would be a bigger challenge, I would save more money, and I'd get the chance to see a country my way - no big formal program, no other Americans to speak English with, no tuition.

While to many my idea seems a little off the wall and capricious, I think it's very deliberate and strategic. I want to come back to Rice in the Spring having been challenged and knowing more about what I want to do.

Here's to a wonderful semester. If you are joining me from the Oaxaca ride, welcome back. If you are a new reader, I hope you enjoy my writing throughout these months.

I'm back!

Apoorva

Posted by Apoorva at 00:29 | Permalink | Comments