ENGLISH LANGUAGE CHALLENGES

It never struck me that I learned to speak good english. I always had good grades in english, I learned what the teachers taught me, it wasn't difficult, because it was only the most basic things. 

When I was in high school, learning stagnated. Or maybe it's a perception of mine, because I was more interested in other subjects.

I don't know the reason for my disinterest in learning english. But I think that's bad and not conducive to learning.

However, since I listen to a lot of music in english and watch movies and series with subtitles, it reinforced what I knew about the language. Also, my younger sister speaks great english and helps me when I need it.

When I started studying anthropology, I understood that it was necessary to know english. Because many teachers send texts in that language, and it is complex to read them quickly and understand them well. But it's part of the academy, I can't change it.

Personally, I think it's easier to write than to talk. Because it is complicated to pronounce well and it is complicated for others to understand what I say. 

Writing in english is easy, but conjugating verbs is complicated. I still get confused by that, haha.

With respect to british english and american english, I can't identify their differences. Only in series, when the characters speak slowly, I can realize some things.

I hope to continue learning english, to be able to read faster and to be able to communicate if I ever travel to an english-speaking country. The series and the music will always be a help.

CHANGES TO MY STUDY PROGRAMME

It's hard for me to talk about the change in my program of study. I don't know what this topic specifically refers to, but I will write about the academic mesh. 

As I mentioned in previous posts, I started studying anthropology in 2018. That same year the new curriculum of the career was implemented. 

The first two years of the course belong to the "basic cycle". There are branches of social anthropology, physical anthropology and archaeology. The basic cycle is where the most changes were made with the new program. because the anthropology department included some new subjects (so say the older students).

The mention of social anthropology, which is the mention that I study at present, did not have much modification. The courses remain almost the same. Varied around methodology, theory, application, ethnologies, etc.

The workshops are new courses that were incorporated in all the years of the new academic program. The workshops are courses with more practical work (which is combined with theory). That's the idea, although it's been difficult this year because of the pandemic and the virtual classrooms.

Personally, I think it is still necessary to have more practical activities in the future. They are more entertaining and effective. 

However, I really like the career I am studying, and all the courses I have. Especially now that I'm at the mention of social anthropology. I must admit that the courses of archaeology and physical anthropology, I never liked.

I think things can always be improved, and the academic program of anthropology is not an exception. 

I think things can always be improved, and the academic program of anthropology is not an exception. I think changes can always be made. And the opinion of professors and students is important for those changes to be positive.

PERSONAL OPINIONS

I'm a person who likes to share and discuss opinions. I think it's a very enriching exercise for everyone. For this very reason, I respect opinions different from my own, only if those opinions do not disrespect others

I think freedom of opinion ends when you move on to someone else. In that sense, I think that homophobia, misogyny, transphobia, racism, fascists, etc. are not opinions, they are aggressions. And they should not be tolerated.

But going back to the beginning, I think that if they are only differences of opinion, they must be respected. And if those opinions affect you negatively in any way, talk about it.

In general, the opinions that affect my emotions are the opinions of my loved ones. I care what they think, because they're important to me.

Although there are always other opinions that affect it in some way.

The aggressions I mentioned earlier do affect my mood and emotions a lot. When I read, see, or hear these kinds of things, I feel a lot of anger and a lot of grief. 

Sometimes that affects me too much. When that happens, I talk to my friends and family to make myself feel better.

I believe that we must confront these aggressions, but that we must also guard against these aggressions. Because many times they hurt us more than we want.

I hope you are all well, and that these attacks do not affect you so much.

A big hug to you all!

THEMED POST

The theme I chose to develop in this post is music and how important it is to me. I've always loved music, ever since I was a little girl. I've had different musical tastes at different periods of my life. Now I listen to all genres of music (except metal haha).

Music has a great influence on my mood. If I listen to reggaeton, trap, pop, I always get happy and in the mood. On the other hand, many genres make me sad or reflective. 

Sometimes I look for music according to my mood. Other times the music changes me, I listen to something by chance and my thoughts change. 

I think that the rhythm, the voices, the instruments and the lyrics, have a special sensitivity for me. And yet, music is a refuge for me.

I listen to music most of the day. When I shower, when I cook, when I read or study, or before I go to sleep. In fact now, as I write this post, I'm listening to music, haha.

I like to listen to music alone and in company. I enjoy it both ways and at all times. Sometimes I listen to it locked up in my room, with headphones on the mic, or with my family and friends. 

During the quarantine, I think music has become even more important to me. It is often my company, reminds me of good times, contains me and allows me to express my emotions. 

I hope that the confinement will pass later and that I will be able to share the music again with people who are not exclusively my family. But in the meantime, I enjoy music alone with great pleasure.

POST GRADUATE STUDIES

As I had commented in other posts, I study social anthropology. That's why there are many different subjects in which I could continue my studies.

However, personally, I am very interested in the link between anthropology and history. And to study topics related to testimonies of political violence, combining it with a gender perspective and identity formation.

I think these are very interesting topics, especially if you work together and with different methodologies. I think that knowledge is built as a whole, and these topics allow me to investigate methodologies other than the classical ones. In this way it is possible to learn from the communities and with the communities, and not simply use them as an object of study.

I would like to continue my studies with these themes, and focus above all on Latin American realities. Latin American realities are very varied, and are conditioned by western hegemonic thinking. That is why I think it should be our main focus, to build from our own realities and for ourselves.

That is why I would like to study in any of your countries, but I prefer Argentina, Mexico or Uruguay. In those countries there is a lot of anthropological work, and I think it would be a very good place to learn, from the communities and from the academy.

Video Essay: The Importance of Meditation

I thought the video of meditation was very good. It was about how biologically meditation helps us to be healthy, and in general that information is not given.

In fact, I didn't know those scientifically proven benefits.

However, I have meditated many times. 

I started meditating in March, when the pandemic started. I had a lot of anxiety and a friend who always does yoga recommended it to me.

 I feel that meditation serves a lot to calm anxiety, be calm, think things through in a positive way and relax in general. Also, in the case of yoga, it is also a good exercise. It helps to stretch the body and strengthen muscles.

Until May I was able to meditate a lot, about twice a day. When the classes started again, my time was greatly reduced. Now I meditate and do yoga once a week if I am lucky. That makes me sad.

Now I feel tired, anxious because the pandemic is not over, and sad because I miss my friends. 

Also, I've had two weeks of heavy academic workload, so I've had little sleep.

I miss being able to meditate more, it was doing me a lot of good, now I understand scientifically why.

As for the English classes, in general I feel good when they start. But the last month they gave me additional stress, so I hope that feeling will end soon.

I think it's difficult to make a normal academic life under these conditions. We're all under a lot of pressure and stress. 

There are responsibilities at home and university, and it's hard to balance the two these days.

In this sense, I hope we can all take time to reflect, take a deep breath, feel better. I also hope that the health crisis will end later, that we can share and accompany each other.

A country I'd like to visit

To be honest, I would like to visit many countries, and it is difficult to choose just one to write this publication. But lately I have been thinking a lot about Uruguay, and specifically about Cabo Polonio. 

Uruguay is a country that has always called me, for its places but above all for its history. However, I learned about Cabo Polonio from a song by Jorge Drexler called "12 seconds of darkness" and it talks about the special thing about that place: there is no electric light, the nights are only illuminated by the lighthouse (the lighthouse lights up for 12 seconds and then it is absolutely dark for another 12 seconds). That makes it a very special place.

I would very much like to get to know all of Uruguay, its museums and cities, to talk to the people. But I think when I go to Cabo Polonio it will be a special stop. I hope to go for a walk at night and enjoy the calm of that place.

I study anthropology and I like the link that discipline has with history. At some point I would like to study and work, combining both disciplines, in Uruguay.

But it is not something I think about much, first I am interested in going to know without thinking about my future work.

I will attach the link of the song and some pictures.

Greetings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj9ewSx1ows

Social Unrest in Chile

Since October 18, when the "social outburst" officialy began in the country, my moods have varied excessively. Sometimes I feel very happy and hopeful, other times I feel a lot of anger for everything that is happening, the worst times I only feel sadness and disappointment.
I am happy with the territorial organization that has been developing in different areas, the empathy that is increasingly present in social relations, and the visibility of multiple demands that years ago resonated in the people of Chile. However it is unavoidable to think of all the lives damaged and snatched during these two months, lives that can hardly be repaired. That leads me to oscillate between anger and sadness.
What suprised me the most about the process is its length. The first few days I didn't think that the struggle would go on for so long. It was a great surprise.
What has bothered me the most has been by far the indolence of the authorities and the violations of human rights perpetrated by pacos and milicos.

What do I expect from this process? That it lasts until a dignified life for all is guaranteed, that feminist demands (which were omitted in the first weeks) continue to be heard and included, and that all crimes committed by repressive forces are sanctioned.

To conclude, I believe it is necessary to consider the importance of the protection of children and adolescents, they are a very important sector of the society, and unfortunately many of them suffer systematic violations that nobody takes care of. I also think it is important to discuss the rehabilitation and reintegration of convicts, they are part of our society and do not deserve to be left out of our demands.

Favourite memory of the year

I have many good memories of this year, one of the best was the vacation on the beach with my mom and my sister. In January we traveled to the 5th region and stayed there for two weeks.
I wasn't having a good time of my life, and that vacation was perfect for distraction and reflection. Besides, I was in the company of my sister and my mother, who together with my father are the most important people in my life.
This memory is very special because it was a moment of tranquility in the chaos. And although my whole family supported me for months, that trip was especially helpful (I don't know why exactly).
I'm not usually very affectionate, but during that vacation I was. And not consciously, hahaha.
I don't have a photo of all three, but in this photo I'm with my mom. That day we went for a walk on the shore of the beach and ate empanadas.

A photograph you like

In October 2018, with my classmates we went to Valdivia, in the south of Chile. A National Meeting of Anthropology and Archaelogy Students (ENEAA in spanish) was held at the Austral University. It was a very good experience. I learned and enjoyed a lot.
In this photograph I am with some of my friends on the river bank, before going to the gym where we were staying (very awkward gym).
The photograph was taken by one of my friends who appears in the photo, because it is a selfie.
I like this photograph because it reminds me of a great day. We stayed in this place for a long time, with music, wine and beer. We didn't jnow how to get back, it was very dark because it was night, hahaha.
The next day we all had hangover, but it was worthy.
This year we will go to concepcion, and I hope it's also an excellent experience with my classmates.

My favourite piece of technology

My favorite piece of technology is not the latest trend, but for me it's the best. My favorite piece is the MP3, a portable object for listening to music.
I received my first MP3 for Christmas 2008. I was very happy when I received it. Since that day I've always had an MP3 and I still keep the first one because it was a special gift.
I use it a lot during the day. When I shower, while getting dressed, on my way to university, etc.
Currently there are many pieces of technology to listen to music, but the MP3 is still the best because it is small, comfortable, and with a battery of many hours.
Music in general influences my mood a lot, for better or for worse. Rarely do I like absolute silence, music is always a good partner.
I don't know what my life would be like without my MP3, when I forgot it I feel lonely and often sad. The music and my MP3 are essential for me.

Why did you choose this career

When I was little I wanted to study literature or graphic design (I love this career). I always liked the humanities and art.
During my high school I didn't know whether to choose History or Law. But finally decided on History.
In 2017 I started to study History at the University of Chile, and I really like it. However, while studying History I got to know Anthropology and I liked it even more. That's why I went to study Anthropology in 2018.
My experience in Anthropology has been very good and beautiful. Now I see the situations from other perspective. I have a very good teachers (and others not so good), and I have very beautiful and good friends at the University.
In the future, I would like to work on anthropology of education or in areas of identities, and I would like to work in contact with people and in contact with others disciplines (geography, psychology, linguistic, social work, etc).

Autobiography

I am Victoria, I was born in Santiago de Chile on August 8, 1998. I have a sister, she is 17 years old and her name is Sol. Sometimes we argue, but we are very close.
In 2016 I finished my studies at Alexander Fleming School, and in 2017 I started to study History at the University of Chile. It's a beautiful discipline, and I made very good friends there. However, while studying History I got to know Anthropology and I liked it even more. That's why in 2018 I started studying Anthropology, also at the University of Chile.
This semester I had to choose a mention, and I chose Social Anthropology. I am interested in the area of education and identity.
In my spare time I like to read novels, watch series on Netflix and draw. I also enjoy listening to music and going out with my friends.