Classes

This may be the last chance I have to update everyone for about a week, so I'm going to take advantage of it.

As promised, here are my classes:

- Internship Seminar and Field Work

- Chile and Regional/International Trade Organizations

- Medical Spanish

- Native (Chilean) Cultures

- Sexuality in the Context of a Changing Chilean Society - Gentlemen, wish me luck in this course.

I engineered my class schedule to avoid having classes on Fridays. Like I said, I'm "studying" here, and it really helps to have an extra day to travel on the weekends. Still, the classes are interesting and they are entirely in Spanish. The last two classes are offered at La Chile with other Chilean students as well. It's an adventure, for sure.

Today, I finalized plans to travel quite a bit in September . . . I'll actually be traveling for 3 of the next 5 weekends. This weekend, I'm going to visit Valparaiso and Vina del Mar - the port and preferred escape from Santiago. It should be a good start to the traveling since it's only about an hour outside of Santiago. I'll take a lot of pictures and report back when I can!

I had an interesting conversation about the health system within Chile today. Unfortunately, the US is not alone with its problems and faults associated with the health care system. There is a system and fund (similar to MediCare) that provides assistance to the population, although it seems to abandon people whenever a serious need arises. My host parents described the plan as a really bad friend. The plan covers everyone in Chile, whether they work or not, so that's good. It works like a regressive system in which yearly salary is the main determinant. The more you make, the higher percentage you pay for each health care visit. It goes as low as 10%, but for the majority, it's above 20%. That goes for small check-ups or for serious medical treatments. It's hard to imagine how people in poverty can even think about paying for some of these treatments, let alone common medical check-ups.

Additionally, even with a secure job, private health care benefits provided by employers just aren't customary. My host father, Arturo, has been a solid employee with a long tenure, but he doesn't receive or have an option for any private health care benefits. Instead, he must find private plans to insure his family.

New legislation has been passed, but, as I continue to find, the implementation of such legislation is lacking. Chile is a growing country with a solid economy. I believe it is beyond the category of a "developing nation" - whatever that may mean - and is beginning to realize the needs of a more intelligent, more demanding population. There's definitely room for improvement though.

So that's depressing. . .

On the bright side, the water tastes great and hasn't bothered me at all! And that's something everyone can enjoy!

Chao.