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Auburn, AL 36849-5418
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CHILE 2008

ChileSummer Abroad taught me a lot of things about forestry that I could never learn about at Auburn. Certainly, I could learn about their harvesting and production methods or the silvicultural practices make their trees grow much larger, faster than ours do in Alabama. However, in Chile I was able to see for myself and understand all of the underlying factors that makes up the competitive advantage of forest products in an free market economy. As a forest products emphasis student I was amazed to see first hand the differences as well as advances in procurement and production methods fo the Chilean forest products industry. Most importantly, Chile was a trip worth more than any amount of education that money can buy. This trip taught me a lot about a cultre that I have never experienced before without someone actually teaching me about it. The ability to learn from a visual aspect is worth at least a thousand words. Perhaps one of the more enlightening renderings was the chance to learn about completely different forest types and species while enjoying the atmosphere of a different continent and climate. Also, the opportunity to represent Auburn Forestry in another country is immensely important and a chance to make a "footprint" in someone else's neck of the woods. Chase Smothers '09

Picture: (L-R) Richard Hall, Shaun Tanger, Lacey Avery, Nicholas Jackson, Chase Smothers

Lacey Avery

Study Abroad - Chile

Summer 2008

This past summer I spent two amazing weeks in Chile.  We arrived at the capitol of Chile, Santiago, and spent our first week in the city.  In Santiago, we were able to have class in the mornings and were taught global trade, global environmental issues, and global finance.  The lectures were integrated with visits to sites such as the Arauco Corporate Office and US Commercial Service, as well as the Arauco Distribution Center and the main port city of Chile, Valparaiso.  There was also free time, in which we hiked Parque Metropolitan and rode horse-back into the Andes Mountains.  At the end of the week we drove to Valdivia, south of Santiago, and enjoyed time in the countryside of Chile.  On the way to Valdivia, we stopped at Compania Chilena de Fosforos Forest and Manufacturing Operations and observed the harvesting practices and how they produce matches, popsicle sticks, and paint sticks.   In Valdivia, we visited Arauco’s Forest Operations and Sawmill, Arauco’s Pulpmill, and Parque Oncol.  We were able to observe Arauco’s nurseries, mills, operations, and environmental goals to help protect the surrounding communities.  In summary, Chile is a beautiful country with very polite and welcoming citizens.  I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip abroad and would love to return to Chile to see and learn much more.  Arauco’s hospitality and cooperation was greatly appreciated and valued. 

The first week of the program, within the capital city of Santiago, consisted of many meetings with executives from forestry associated firms and businesses. Many of the meetings throughout the program were made possible by the Chilean company Arauco - one of the largest forestry enterprises in Latin America. We were also fortunate enough to have had an informative meeting within the U.S. Embassy in Santiago concerning the economic history and success of Chile. Continuing to Valdivia for the second week of the program proved to be a valuable experience as well. The Arauco subsidiary, Forestal Valdivia, provided extensive information through meetings and touring of company operations throughout the Valdivia area.

Our downtime experiences in Chile also proved to be very memorable. Riding horseback in the Andes Mountains and along the Maipo River is an event that I’ll always remember and be grateful for. The program was a great success and provided us with a valuable experience due in large part to the many personal meetings with knowledgeable professionals and the guidance from our Auburn instructor, Richard W. Hall. Nick Jackson '09