You can't fight against the youth!

Chilean society is a society in transition.

With a relatively new and successful democratic political system, a strong and highly globalized economy, a conservative Catholic backbone and a new generation of liberal youth, the birth pangs of modernization can be seen throughout Santiago. This liberal/conservative dichotomy contributes to a distinctively mixed cultural climate, one where free speech is embraced, but discussion of issues concerning homosexuality, for example, is strictly taboo.

However, Chile is arguably the most progressive country of South America, and this can be seen in population's affinity for vocal response. Tuesday I attended the largest public gathering of protest I've ever seen! Thousands of people gathered in the heart of Santiago to protest the banning of the morning after pill. It was very exciting to see so many people come together in the center of a major metropolitan city to respond as a single body. Check out the video!

Life:

Life is good, or as a beloved mentor frequently proclaimed, "It's a great life" here in Santiago. Living abroad is truly a wonderful experience. The living experience, combined with my predominantly 'humanities' focused curriculum, has made these past few months some of the most educational in my entire lifetime. This is a time of great intellectual and spiritual growth for me; I can not help but feel like a true scholar when meticulously studying philosophy in a second tongue.

I have managed to stay busy, generally living the life I normally enjoy living. I'm enjoying my studies and exercising regularly. I do have a bit of extra time here, however, and with it I have the opportunity to spend some time volunteering, something I didn't have as much time for back home.

I am volunteering at a home for girls displaced from their regular homes and families due to situations of violence and abuse. The group of students that I volunteer with provides educational reinforcement and tutoring, companionship, and mentoring. It is truly heartbreaking at times, but building strong relationships and influencing kids positively is extremely rewarding and is something that I've come to seek in my life.

Those who know me well are free to imagine me saying stay strong and be a warrior in Spanish. :)

I shall savor these last 10 weeks and use them to further my individual growth as I propel into my senior year and the rest of my life. At the end of the semester, I will be journeying through southern Bolivia in one last hurrah before I head back home. So stay tuned, for that blog entry will not come out until mid-July, and will complete this series that has now reached more than 1200 cumulative views!

Cheers,

Jason


VIDEO - 'You can't fight against the youth...'

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