I turned 21 a month early!!! Mar del Plata

Hello all. Nice to see you guys again, where have you been? Well actually it was my problem; I'm been so busy and little bit too lazy to write weekly blogs (as I told myself). A couple weekends ago, me and my friends (total of 11) took a 6 hour bus trip to Mar del Plata: a beach town in the Province of Buenos Aires. Also, the surrounding area has plenty of beaches. We all happened to go during a national holiday, Dias Feriados that fortunately happen frequently in Argentina. So, I guess it's Play and then Work?! Below is a picture of one of the beaches that we took a quick bus too. As you can see TONS of Argentinians spread out and taking in some sun. But, other beaches contained even more residents. The first day, we ironically went to a beach called Playa Popular (Popular Beach)...we were looking for a tropical getaway (doesn't exist here FYI).

Next is a picture of ME. This was taken on the same beach (just looking towards Mar del Plata , to the north, which in reality isn't visible from here)











Now on to the fun stuff. On my birth certificate, it says that my birthday is on April 1st. I'm not sure how they got that wrong because on February 28th I turned 21! Of course, it was joke which was terribly misunderstood. Everyone on the trip ate at a traditional Argentinian restaurant in Downtown Mar del Plata the night before we would return to Buenos Aires. Some girl with us (I wish I knew who exactly) told the waiter that it was my birthday. I personally despise when restaurants make a HUGE deal out of nothing, celebrating somebody's birthday with loud noises, clapping, and cheering with all the eyes of the other customers focused on you, solely. In the past, this has happened to me, but only for less than a minute and you even get free dessert. This time, in Mar del Plata I told myself: "Evan, no need to worry I'm sure it's just an American way of saying 'Happy Birthday' so don't sweat it." Minutes later, I was back in my relaxed mode with my mind on my awaiting dinner.....then....

Oh, What do you know? A Mariachi band busts in the door!! Not just a three amigos Mariachi band, a full 6 member Mariachi band with the proper attire and the instruments to complement them. "This HAS to be a coincidence" , I told myself. Instants later they march the parade directly in front of me. Still, however I had hope because they were playing traditional Mariachi/Mexican music. "Phewwwww it's almost over, Evan." Next thing I know all eyes are on me as the leader begins to mention "un caballero" or a gentleman seated where I was, who's birthday was that day. It gets worse, they play Happy Birthday with their blaring trumpets while everybody is staring in awe at the scene, some smiling, some having no expression as I have my head down, extremely embarrassed. The whole shin-dig lasted almost 45 minutes. That's right. They came back and presented me with more songs. The leader allowed me to wear his Sombrero...just what I need more attention and embarrassment. If I could have, I would have been out of there in no time.

Below depicts how I felt during that whole time, hahaha.

 

  

Create an Ad Sponsored Hoteles 80% Off pezurbano.com.ar Aprovechá los descuentos de Pez Urbano en los mejores hoteles del pais. Todos los días una nueva oferta. ¡Registrate ahora! Sponsored

Clases que voy a tomar (tal vez) y las Universidades

AY AY AY La Orientacion me enoja acausa de toda de la confusion!
The first line basically says, Orientation (as well as signing up for classes) is a pain in the butt.

What are our options as far as where we can take classes? I will give my audience a short tutorial.
1. IFSA Castellano (3 credits) (Starts
Our host program says that we MUST take a mandatory class: se llama Castellano Avanzado y Cultura Argentina. Essentially this class focuses on. However, the topics are heavily focused on Argentinian aspects.Additionally, each of these classes have concentrations on specific topics: Cinema/Film Studies, Literature, Grammar, Writing, Identity of Argentinians, Popular Music, and Argentina Feminism. Tons of choices! I am sure glad they make the most available for us extranjeros (estudiantes intercambios=exchange students).

2. Academic Concentrations (6 credits) including an internship
Choices include: Human Rights, Cinema, and Literature
Although I do not have a dying interest in participating in one of these concentrations, I thought it would be a interesting and useful challenge. I aspire to be a doctor so in my mind I could relate Human rights and medicine a little bit. Specifically, I fell in love with this concentration simply due to the pasantias (internships) which came with your respective class (Political and Social aspects of Derechos Humanos). I picked the social side of things; my advisors recommended that I take this because it would relate very close with what my internship is: Public Health. I am going to work with an organization called Fundacion Huesped.(www.huesped.org.ar) This group focuses on AIDS and HIV and how we can prevent it along with educating the public.

*Now that I have 9 credits, I have up to 9 credits remaining for me to elect 2-3 more classes.
I have 4 Argentine Universities from which I can choose courses : UBA, UTDT, UCA, USAL

Here, the academic system hardly correlates with the american system. From the time Argentinians start there college years (or maybe even earlier), they chose a specific Carrera (essentially a Major for us, but more specific). For instance, if I was Argentinian then  I would chose la Facultad de Medicina, which is where all students who aspire to study medicine take their courses-they wont have to take any literature courses. To me, this sounds much more intimidating. What happens if you change your mind? Each facultad is essentially its own university.

This is where I mention UBA (Universidad de Buenos Aires):

Facts to know: Public University and completely free (including the medical school)
One of the most prestigious universities in the world
Has almost 300,000 students
There is no central campus, rather its respective buildings are spread around the massive city of Buenos Aires
Che Guevara attended school here (this is the coolest fact), and he did Facultad de Medicina (just like me...)
Each class here translates to SIX credits back home.

The 6 credit per class was quite the turn off for what I was looking for. I aspire to complete all my basic requirements for Miami University: Art History and a History/Literature combo course are top priorities.

UTDT, UCA, and USAL are  private universities translating to: 5, 3, and 3 credits, respectively.
I am leaning towards: UCA and USAL.

Reasons why: Proximity and number of total credits if I took two classes: 15 (the minimum that we are allowed to take)
I live in Caballito (center of city): UCA-located in Puerto Madero (picture), a 30-40 minute bus ride away
USAL is located in Recoleta (40-50 minute bus ride away)
UTDT is located in Belgrano (40-1 hr bus ride away and additionally further away from every other point of interest)
*The ranges are a result of the variation in el transito (the traffic)

Once I confirm which courses I want to take, I will talk more about those in detail.

Until Then!




















 

Caballito o Caba SHIIT to

Mi barrio se llama Caballito. The title consists of how it is spelled and how Portenos (People of BA) normally pronounce it. Viewing the city blueprints before I arrived, I was happy to have an ideally placed barrio in the center of the city. However, out of orientation, attractions, bars, and great restaurants BA had to offer, I seemed to be on the moon. BA is IMMENSE. I would say it is comparable to the size (area) of LA, that is LA with all its suburbs. It takes me approx. 40 minutes to span across two barrios.To give you an idea, check this out:

http://www.google.com.ar/imgres?imgurl=http://www.comono.net/journal/content/entries/6/map2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.comono.net/journal/es/index.html%3FentryId%3D6&usg=__pM6hz_M72X6LT0ECgcaTLqteXqk=&h=503&w=496&sz=76&hl=es&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=Iyg6pJ-E4YdmjM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=132&ei=t4xpTeWKJse1tgfDv4XoAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmap%2Bof%2Bbuenos%2Baires%2Band%2Bbarrios%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DGPU%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D719%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=281&oei=t4xpTeWKJse1tgfDv4XoAw&page=1&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=68&ty=87.

Wow, that's a long link. El colectivo (public bus system) spans through Almagro, Balvanera and then subsequently Recoleta (where el Circolo Italiano , AKA, the orientation center).

So I have established its relative location. Caballito, according to social structure studies from students of UBA (Universidad of Buenos Aires), contains the largest percentage of la clase medio. (Middle class, very few lower class and few upper class citizens). Avenida Rivadavia is an important street. Interestingly enough, although it is completely a one-way road, es la avendina mas larga en el mundo (longest avenue in the world). I can say I lived on it! (Basically).

Av. Rivadavia (name of the first president of Argentina, who wasn't popular whatsoever), splits BA into two large pieces. The south (essentially the surburbios should be avoided, especially at night; this where the majority of  la clase baja lives). The north is just fine; everyone in IFSA lives here.

I hope to have time to post this week. Chau, nos vemos a todos!

Evan

La vida nueva en Sudamerica, QUE BUENO!

I have had a CRAZY past few days. First I would like to say how annoying it was for me to arrive a day late. That's right; I missed my plane in ATL by less than 10 minutes because my flight was delayed in Detroit (bad weather). But I made a mountain out of a molehill and decided to tour ATL (never been) and so I walked around in my khakis and clark wallabee boots (extrememly uncomfortable and not fit for southern weather) and toured Coca-Cola World, cool stuff! However, very strange going alone with 2 pieces of heavy luggage.

Due to my new flight being available sadly 24 hours after the one I missed, I arrived at the normal time in Buenos Aires (EZE)-at 8 am-a day LATE, I successfully flew through the usual bureaucracy of any international airport, including las aduanas (customs). Because I arrived a day late, I was without the aid of IFSA-Butler (my host program), and had to take a taxi into BA. It took approx. 30 minutes to arrive to where I needed to be. The ride in consisted on a great chat with la taxista, which skyrocketed my spanish confidence. I understood him, he understood me, life was good.

Picture of the Avenue which I drove on when I arrived to the city-the widest avenue in the world!

However, I started to panic when (around 1030), I arrived at the IFSA headquarters and ascending the elevator with unknown portenos.. I tentatively entered the office and open the door to an empty office with only one younger man who happened to be an employee (phew). Eventually, I was ordered to arrive at la casa de mi madre argentina,. My mom's name is Marta Ines Cal Rubinos-or Marta Cal. It took me another 30 minute taxi ride to arrive there.

 Nervous as all get out due to my insufficient of BA the day I arrived, I arrive late ONCE AGAIN to orientation. This actually makes me late x 2 (because I really should have been there on Monday instead of Tuesday). But I was told I didn't miss anything really (phew x 2). I immediately noted the great contrast of genders. Around 140 students, only 22 guys. But I didn't mind, girls are always nice and I usually can relate to them better. It was no problem meeting friends; 30 minutes after first arriving, I had been able to join 5 others in a lunch date. Lunch consisted of: Hamburgesa con papas (without the bun). I was completely content  with what I had seen on the first day, and I was hungry for more (not just hamburgesa).


I will post again..right now! Since Im so far behind.

Hasta un momento

Before exiting America

Tonight is my final night in America. However, it feels nothing like it. With my entire family present, I feel as if I am staying home for good...except that all of my other friends my age are busy taking classes at their respective universities. Many have asked me if I am nervous...I am showing none of the usual symptoms. With living in another country for practically 5 months with a single mother (se llama Marta Ines Cal Rubino-that's her name), and having to confront every Porteno (someone who is native to Buenos Aires) with a mouthful of spanish, one would expect to be extremely nervous! But, I rather feel excited; I am ready to embark on this journey which will lead me to (hopefully) become proficient in espanol. But that is not the only thing. No, no I also hope to learn about myself and others AND learn within the classroom.


Learning in the classroom will encompass courses in the NON-sciences. Phew. I have been long awaiting this break from the stressful, objective, and sometimes impractical classes...which I am only taking in order to become accepted into medical school. Anyway, I plan on taking courses which will fulfill my undergrad requirements at Miami: Art History, Human Rights +Field Experience, Argentina Language and Culture, and maybe one more. I will get into these later on as I start my classes (early to mid-March).



I leave tomorrow at 5pm, have a one-stop to ATL and then I arrive Monday February 21st to Buenos Aires finally at about 8am. I will post one as soon as I arrive...although I know my schedule will be hectic and unclear then.

Hasta luego