Work..a.k.a Uh...Argentina...Am I in Argentina?

Yes, it's true. I have entered my typical serious student mode. I told my roommate today that it was possible that I may leave thinking that Argentina consists of four white walls and an Indian tapestry (uh that would be my bedroom). I literally spend around 10 hours a day reading, writing papers, and attending classes. However, I am thoroughly enjoying it (well most of the time anyway ha ha). My classes this term are:

Sistemática de las Relaciones Internacionales (Systematic Approaches to International Relations)

Etica y las Relaciones Internacionales (Ethics & International Relations)

Teorías del Conflict y del Desarrollo en las Ciencias Sociales (Theories of Conflict & Development in the Social Sciences)

Causas y Resolución de Conflictos (Causes of Conflict and Conflict Resolution)

Estructura y Procesos en la Cooperación Internacional (Structure and Process of International Cooperation)

Identidades Globales (Global Identities)

French

Suffice it to say that I am taking a full load. Ha

I have been working hard to define my thesis topic and have narrowed it down quite a bit. It will be dealing with the topic of immigration and U.S. foreign policy towards Mexico. It looks like it may be taking me to Mexico for at least a month during my "summer" break in February or March 2009.

The master's course is extremely unique for a variety of reasons, including the fact that each of my classes has students from no fewer than 10 different countries. Besides the diversity of student body, the professors have a diverse academic background having studied/worked/conducted research in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the North America. This gives the International Relations master's program here a much different perspective than I would get from the U.S. Just the fact that the two specializations are peace/conflict resolution and international cooperation for development is telling. We are getting a non-western/developing country approach that I would never have received in the U.S.

Okay...back to studying...