Growing up in South Africa, Michael Olivier ’27 spent hours paging through an old atlas, imagining places that felt impossibly far away. This summer, that curiosity became reality through the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise, as he joined fellow scholars on a trip to Chile for an immersive exploration of the country’s economy, culture, history, and innovation.
Along the way, he gained firsthand knowledge of a new country, discovered the value of approaching global challenges through fresh perspectives, and made memories that’ll last a lifetime.
Join Olivier as he takes us through his journey in pictures.
In This Image: The Martindale cohort in the Atacama Desert, one of the best places in the world for stargazing. We headed out around midnight to look at the stars and learn why Chile has become a global hub for astronomy.
In This Image: We visited an Indigenous family in the Atacama Desert, where part of the experience included walking their llamas. It was a unique opportunity to see their deep connection with the animals, the land, and the traditions that shape their way of life.
In This Image: Listening to a presentation by Alvaro Videla about Chile’s energy ecosystem and the country’s efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels while transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
In This Image: During our visit to Google Chile, we met with the company’s CEO and learned more about Google’s work in the country, including the Humboldt Project, a subsea cable initiative connecting Chile with the Asia-Pacific region.
In This Image: Outside the Universidad de los Andes in Santiago, Chile.
In This Image: Listening to a lecture on “Urban Environment and Health” at the university.
In This Image: Traveling through the Atacama Desert.
In This Image: Taking in the beauty of the lagoons firsthand.
In This Image: At Start-Up Chile with Vincent Rinaldi ’27, where we learned about the country’s startup ecosystem.
In This Image: Standing at Plaza de la Constitución in front of the presidential palace, Palacio de La Moneda, on our first day in the country.
In This Image: All smiles after one of our first dinners in Chile.
In This Image: Learning about robotic technology transforming the mining industry from a Ph.D. student in the University of Chile’s Department of Mining Engineering.
In This Image: Visiting the Chilean Chamber of Construction, the primary business association for the construction sector in Chile. During our tour of the 23-story building, we learned about the tuned mass damper built into the structure’s 22nd floor. This technology helps stabilize the building during earthquakes and high winds by reducing movement and improving resilience by up to 30%.
In This Image: Standing in the El Tatio geothermal field in the Atacama Desert, 14,170 feet above sea level. Located in the Andes Mountains, El Tatio is home to the third-largest geyser field in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
In This Image: Making mini clay sculptures!
