Barnard College Urban Studies and Anthropology major Eliza Buttrick has been studying in Chile under the Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA) since July but “I’ve learned more about Chile in the last few weeks than through being a student here due to the current national protests.” Nationwide demonstrations erupted mid-October that were sparked by a hike in capital Santiago's metro fare but quickly ballooned into objections over issues such as the cost of living, low-paying retirement systems and economic inequality.
“I feel much more connected to Chile and proud to be in this country after having participated in a few marches. The current events complemented with CASA’s pro-seminar (which teaches students about the contemporary and past political and social history of Chile) has lent to my deeper understanding of the Chilean socio-economic and political system and its myriad of injustices,” she says.
Buttrick will remain in Chile through November. “This semester hasn’t been easy but it has been impactful and I will be grateful for that for the rest of my life… It’s been inspiring to see the persistent, unrelenting demands for a new constitution from the Chilean people,” she adds.
