Andrés Martínez Pais | UCB Study Abroad

What led you to study abroad? Why did you choose your country/program?

Having been born in Latin America, I wanted to explore other parts of the region that didn't include my home country of México. Chile seemed like the perfect fit due to its fascinating political history and reputation as the "economic powerhouse" of South America.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

The most interesting cultural experience was the soccer game I went to between the bitter cross-town rivals of the Universidad de Chile vs. Universidad Católica at the National Stadium. During this game, I heard swear words being thrown at the players, sang with the stadium the fight songs of the teams, and witnessed a pair of spectacular goals.

What was the biggest challenge/concern of your study abroad experience? How did you respond?

My biggest inicial concern was going to Chile not knowing anyone and having concerns that I wouldn't meeting new people. As a result, I made an effort to join activities that would guarantee that I would meet Chileans and other study abroad students from all over the world. Firstly, I lived in an international house where I became friends with people from Colombia, Spain, Germany, ect. Secondly, I joined a school soccer team where I got to compete on the field three times a week with Chileans. Both of these experiences assured me that I would always have people to enjoy my time abroad in Chile.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

My academic day would always begin close to noon. Why so late in the day? Because my earliest class each day started at 3:30 pm which gave me time to play soccer, go to my internship, and also sleep-in in the morning. This allowed me to return back home after class to muster enough energy for the nights in Latin America. These nights consist of dinner that starts past 9'clock and always the possibility of going out with friends.

What coursework did you take while abroad? How did courses abroad compare with Berkeley classes?

At the Catholic University in Santiago, I took two upper division political science classes and one Chilean history class. On top of this, the UCEAP program guarantees you an internship in the city which counts as class credit. These courses have just as much reading as Berkeley classes and are just as hard. However, while studying abroad, it is easy to make a schedule that allows you time to travel during the weekends.

What was the most memorable/meaningful aspect of your time abroad?

My most interesting cultural experience was traveling five hours to Southern Chile where my Chilean friend gave me a tour of his home city and introduced me to his family. After a day of exploring Chile's second largest city, Concepción, we arrived back at his house to a typical Chilean "asado" or BBQ.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

Studying abroad allowed me to interact with so many new people, places, and ideas that I would never have encountered during a semester in Berkeley.

What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially to your country or program?

People studying abroad: Make sure to maximize your short time in another country by pushing yourself to new experiences and not comfort. People going to Chile: You are never going to figure out the accent.