El Laberinto - "The Maze"

So my first week of classes is complete. While the majority of my friends are still on their summer vacations in the U.S., I am engulfed in the Spanish language, taking classes in a foreign country, and in a constant maze of adventures.

As frustrated as I could potentially be with learning my way around a new campus and system, I can't suppress constant bursts of excitement for the twists and turns in my life here. And I am not only referring to my daily activities such as manuevering my way around the campus but also to the entire shift in perspective. Living outside of the U.S. and seeing the world from an entirely different viewpoint in a place I am still getting accustomed to is an indescribeable experience. The power and influence that the U.S. has in this world are dropping bombs into the "realization" center in my brain. We have such a responsibility as a country to be a leader....and truly a leader. What we have done with the War in Iraq and in much of our history is an absolute shame, and my time here allows me to escape the propaganda of the U.S. for a good while and have the space to think without being suffocated. After only two weeks here, I have met people from all around the world, other exchange students, and many Chileans. Like I have always said, their view of the U.S. is one of respect mixed with anger for how we have handled our great responsibility in the world. And I can only agree.

I hope to develop a stronger base for my own viewpoints and beliefs while abroad this year. Seeing the U.S. election from another viewpoint, taking business and economy classes in another country, watching the Olympics in another country, and experiencing the energy at the start of new presidential campaigns for the Chilean election will be a life-changing earthquake in my current naive twenty year old perspective.

Besos!

Marlana