My last update on the student visa problems was in February; where I needed to resend my police record back to the Argentine counsulate representing Singapore, located in Indonesia (whew), for them to re-legalize it.
I sent it through DHL and 2 weeks later, they sent it back to the Argentine chancellery. With this final piece of the puzzle I went to the University of Salvador (USAL), sat through a short interview and they finally handed me a permission form which allowed me to go to the Ministry of Immigration to apply, not just a student visa, but temporary residency.
After the ministry of immigration checked through all my documents, 24 hours later they issued me a temporary 'DNI' (document of identification) that was valid for 50 days, while they arranged with other departments to process my application. I was to go back to collect the official DNI two months later. But this temporary DNI was sufficient for me to start school.
So I started school early april 2008. As I had went back to confront my demons 2 years after failing my first army spec ops selection tests. I am now confronting my demons which I had left behind six years ago; when I was kicked out National University of Singapore (NUS).
School was not easy. USAL made me missed NUS a bit. I had missed the chance of making the best out of the wide open school campus of NUS, filled with libraries, lecture halls, football fields, amphitheatre, etc. And here I am, in a small 8m by 8m classroom. My university life will revolve around here for the next four years.
The first few days of classes I was completely lost. I remembered just staring blankly at the professors and noting down some keywords I caught so I can go back home to look them up.
Then more problems arised when I had to do so much reading but in spanish. Every paragraph for me, will take the same amount of time for others to read one chapter. I resorted to downloading the english versions of the texts of Plato, Heidegger, Saussure etc... Reading first the english texts then the spanish texts.
Of course more problems arises when I have to write essays, which I have to write them first in english then translate them to spanish.
The most amazing problem came two weeks ago, when I went for my very first classic greek exam. Not only I had to bring along a classic greek dictionary; I had to carry a spanish to english to spanish dictionary the size of an encyclopedia to the class. My fellow classmates stared on with amazement.
But it is strange how things are working out. All the above problems are helping me to concentrate more in class. A small classroom space and student size made the interaction more personal; I had to study and prepare beforehand to make sure I can answer the questions. Not being able to follow what the teachers are talking about, made me read more on my own. Reading each text several times in english then in spanish actually made me understand them more profoundly.
I guess at my current age, I am more mature and quiet to settle down to study for hours. Also, my mental state is keyed to absorb the knowledge available to me. I find myself thirsty for more knowledge, reading and finding out more and beyond the texts given by the school.
Life experiences also helped to guide my thinking in a more mature way. As much as I can in my philosophy writings and understanding I try to guide them towards applications and influences in living my life.
This time, even though the odds are stacked against me, I am even more confident than 6 years ago; more confident and determined that I will conquer this final hurdle. Because this would be the final bond that I will break to completely free myself to explore the world.
Below is a letter to my beloved spanish teacher who could not understand why I wanted to study philosphy, she recommended engineering, business, law or psychology instead.
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Don't worry Mariana 
I know you care for me and want me to have a good future... A bit like my mom. She says the same things you say all the time. Haha. But I know myself. If I was more conventional in my choices and had choosed to study business or architecture etc... I would not be here in Buenos Aires would I? I would be in Singapore, still working in my Army job, with lots of money and married with one baby coming up.
I had said philosphy is useful in life. It really is. Of course the 'arm chair' philosophers are indeed not very useful to the society nor themselves. But I treat these four years of studying philosphy as acquiring a skill that will help me think better, have a more open mind and see the world in a more profound manner.
Would I continue to philosophize all my life? Probably. But is there such a job called a professional philosopher? I don't think so. Most philosophy graduates go on to become language teachers, business people, arts directors, lawyers or even our dear english girl's grandfather; a carpenter.
In my life, as I grow to become who I am, I have seeked out what defines me. What is my meaning in life. Who am I really are and what am I made of. During the journey, I set some targets for myself. The first was to find my physical and mental limits. That was achieved when I joined the Special Forces in the Army. And during that discovery process, I learnt how much determination I can have, how much physical efforts I can make and also helped shaped my character. I become stronger.
So now, my next goal is to find out my intelligence limit. How smart I am? So which subject is more appropriate than philosophy? A subject that requires you to think and analyse from different and profound angles? Not engineering, biology, history, or literature. Of course all these subjects need intelligence, but not as demanding as philosphy, in my opinion.
After these four years, I am sure I will find the limits of my intelligence, grow to become a better person, and of course get the degree which I could not get in Singapore. After which, I have to and will, find another passion in life to continue to seek. But at least I would be sure for myself, in my physical, mental and intelligence aspects. So one day if I want to climb mount everest I would know I can achieve it. One day if I want to write a bestseller, I may know if I have the capability. Whatever dreams I might have I would have no fear in my own capabilities.
Such is life. I don't ask you to understand my choices. But I hope you can support me. Because already philosophy is difficult, philosophy in spanish is even more difficult. But philosophy in spanish with Mariana saying it's useless all the time, is incredibly difficult.
Having said all these, I am not angry with you. I know you want the best for me and yes we are friends. And I respect you more than a friend so I understand. Like I said, a bit more like my mom. And please do continue to say whatever you want to say. Because in life, no friend agrees with each other 100% all the time.
love,
Isaac
