Baseball season in Chicago: LA Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs

Hi everyone!

I hope you are doing great! I wanted to share with you my experience this Saturday at the Chicago Cubs stadium.

The student body at the Harris School organized a group event to go together to a baseball game. It was nice to share with people outside of the school, but I must say the game itself was the best of the day.

Having the chance to see the great Bobby Abreu playing was just perfect! We really enjoyed and even tried to get an autograph (unfortunately unsuccessfully).

Here are some pics that show that not there is more outside of school!

Venezuela's public opinion: The Need to Polarize

As many countries facing crisis or significant changes in their social consensus, Venezuela has become a fertile land to polarized opinions and often violence derived from it.

These days, a college-students-made video was released and was extremely controversial. The video explains loosely the feeling behind a significant migration wave of young professionals that the country has experienced over the last decade.

Regardless of the content and quality of the video, what strikes me most is the fact that the Venezuelan society has developed a NEED to polarize and generate hate among others that just think different. Intolerance to different opinions have emerged among all sectors of society.

In addition to the sadness this situation generates me, there was one issue over which people were discussing about: the "right" to be Venezuelan.

According to many, migrate makes you a less valuable citizen. Because you are not "contributing" to the country situation, you have lost your "right" to be a "real" Venezuelan. "Those who "really" care about, stay and fight on Venezuela"; that's one of the main discourses.

Although I'll go back to Venezuela, I do think it is because I made a personal decision, but that doesn't make anyone less or more than others. If for any reason I decide to not go back, then I believe I have no reasons to believe I've betrayed the "national cause". However, this is a feeling of guilty that tortures you every single day, for no reason.

From a technical perspective, polarization is commonly associated with radical nationalism (from both parties involved in the conflict). However, the real risks and social costs are not commonly addressed....

The levels of verbal and physical violence that the public debates have achieved are worrying. But it is worst to note that this anger has been spilled from leaders to the rest of society.

Maybe we aren't as different as we think of politicians.... And perhaps that's why they are our leaders.... Indeed, we have chosen them because they represent something hidden...

Working authorization in the US: CPT vs OPT

Hi everyone,

So in addition to the quarter, midterms, projects and life, as an international student you have to apply for your working authorization for your part-time jobs or summer internships.

One common question is whether your are eligible for CPT or OPT. Here I will try to provide some information, but feel free to contact me if you have any doubts.

Basically, there are two visa status for international students: J-1 and F-1. If you was awarded with a scholarship o 50% or more of your tuition costs, you would be probably in J-1 status. Otherwise, you are in F-1 status.

F-1 and J-1 basically differ in the working restrictions. Depending on your visa status, the US government allow you to work in campus, off campus, and a certain number of hours within the first two options.

The advantages of having a J-1 status are obvious: you have a scholarship of 50% or more of your tuition! However, it is generally the case that J-1 students have more working restrictions than F-1, presumably because J-1 are expected to "compensate" for the scholarship in some way or another (going back to their sponsor country, working for the university, etc).

On the other hand, F-1 students have more relaxed restrictions on working hours. In addition, with an F-1 you are allowed to work up to 12 months, (including 12 months after graduation, ONLY IF you find a job within the next 3 months after graduation). This figure is called the OPT (Optional Practical Training).

In theory, if you work during regular quarters, your working hours are discounted from your OPT remaining time. However, many schools have an option to work during the summer using what is called the CPT (Curricular Practicum Training).

Each school has its own procedures, but the main feature of the CPT is that it allows you to work during specific periods of time without discounting your working hours from your OPT. Note that the CPT is an employer-specific authorization (in contrast to the OPT), so you will need to have a job offer to apply for it.

The OPT is issue by the US government, while the CPT is issued by your university, so it's usually faster to get it. In any case, do not start to work until you have your corresponding work authorization!

Let me know if I can help with anything!