Studying abroad: sunbathing in the Andes Mountains
Finally, the last Stedsman studying abroad deigned to reply to my email inquiry about what he was up to in South America. Here's what Danny Espinoza had to say about taking the semester off...
St.Ed: So, where are you these days?
Danny: These days I'm sitting on a throne in the Beverly Hills of Chile otherwise known as Las Condes, which is quite a step up from the rough neighborhoods of Notre Dame.
St.Ed: Santiago? Say, someone once described Santiago as the "Cleveland" of South America. Any truth to that?
Danny: It's about as apt a comparison as empanadas (Chilean meat pies) to apple pie. The outside can be surprisingly similar, but once you sink your teeth into that crust, you’ll find that one is twice as sweet as the other. I'll leave it to your imagination to decide which is which.
St.Ed: Thank you. I will. Another question, unlike studying in Europe, where you can hop on a plane and visit a number of places, it seems to me that's not the case in Chile. Can you do any traveling?
Danny: Oh yeah, I can do tons of traveling down here! It takes me nearly an hour to get my classes each day so I'd say I get a fair bit of traveling in the days I go to class (read 4 days a week with a generous one day round up). I get to see the dark, rat - infested tunnels that make up this beloved city's transportation system. Also, there are times when the metro breaks down and streets get so crowded that I make the same trip on foot (we're talking hours of walking). That sure gave me a new perspective on travelling, one characterized by a frustration and a grumbling stomach. But it's not all so bad, I'm actually in Peru now. So the way I see it now is that South American Beverly Hills has reignited my desire to travel, even if just to get out the city.
St.Ed: Curious, does water drain counterclockwise down there? I think it does, but others tell me I am wrong.
Danny: Let me answer your question with another question, do bears take care of their business in the woods?
St.Ed: Do you have any advice for your Stedsmen about studying/traveling abroad?
Danny: Fellow Stedsmen discerning whether studying beyond the frigid realm we lovingly know as South Bend, consider not missing football season… especially when our team decides to put up big numbers against Michigan. Cheering on our boys with people who think the sport ought to be played with your feet isn't quite the same. Also, if your mom tells you to pack more pairs of underwear than there are days of the week, you should probably listen to her. Why? It can save you some awkward encounters. Lastly, if you have anything close to a passing interest in studying abroad or traveling, go for it! There's really nothing like it. From the people you meet, the food you get to eat, and the experiences you have, it all makes for a time of your life that you'll always think of warmly. But, honestly, if I got to do it all over again, I would choose to visit the real Cleveland not just a South of the Equator wannabe!
