Bogotá, Columbia - Patrick Andreen

Introduction

My trip to Columbia was the highlight of my Summer. It was a three week exchange with the Claustro Moderno, a private school in the heart of Bogotá, Columbia. I was admittedly nervous, because I am the type of person who likes order and to know what is going on at all times. Needless to say, I didn’t have complete order and I didn’t always know what was going on, as I was in a foreign country in which my host family spoke very limited English. It was an experience that really helped me grow, not only in my Spanish knowledge, but also as a person. My trip was one I will never forget.

Arrival

Upon arrival in Columbia, I was very nervous. I knew MBA had a great Spanish program and all, but still was unsure of how I would fair while all alone in a foreign country. We (myself, Mack Smithing, Jack Anderson, Mark Lillard, and Mr. Berry) arrived in the airport at around 7 on a Sunday night, all of us giddy to meet the different families with which we would be spending the next three weeks. However, to our surprise Customs was a struggle. The men kept asking us which address we were going to, and none of us had a clue how to answer, because we hadn’t been given an address, we simply knew what the school was called. To our surprise we were quickly able to resolve the issue and we were off on our own in a foreign country we knew nearly nothing about. This was our first of many feasible tests while in Columbia.

We were quickly greeted by the most excited people I believe I have ever seen in my life. I quickly felt part of a family there. The family I was staying with consisted of: Juanes (15), Carlos (17), Juan Felipe (19), and their two parents. They opened their home to me like I was actually part of their family. That night they took me home and told me how excited they were to have me and laid the foundation for what my next three weeks were going to look like. That first night was a crazy transition, and I was definitely out of my comfort zone. But even still I could tell I was in store for a phenomenal three weeks.

My home in Columbia

The room I shared with Juanes (15)

First Day

Our first day was a Monday, which happened to be a holiday so we didn’t go to school. When I asked my family what we would be doing that day, the said we were going to have lunch with a friend of theirs. In America, we perceive lunch as an afternoon activity, but not really lasting more than 2 hours at most. Needless to say this lunch and many others I had there were different. We drove to a house out in the countryside around an hour or two away and met a family there with two parents and a little boy. We talked with them for awhile and then had lunch and sat around and talked a little more. Then we all sat in a circle and enjoyed dessert that mostly consisted of a delicious fruit salad. Time flew, and before I knew it we had been there for seven hours. It was at this house that I first saw a glimpse of what Colombian culture was really like. Everyone was so genuine and so nice to each other. For my family spending a day with another family they don’t see that often made them so happy, and the family we stayed with was so hospitable and welcoming. This new culture was something that I saw over and over in my time in Columbia.

A view from the Colombian countryside

School Life

The school we attended was called the Claustro Moderno, and it was beyond beautiful. The classrooms were unique, with limited lighting because it was always so bright outside in Bogotá. The classrooms very different from those of MBA. We arrived to school on buses at around eight each morning. We had an ever changing schedule that consisted of a couple classes in the morning with breaks in between. Our classes were then followed by an extended lunch period, and we resumed our courses ending school around four each day. During our breaks we played volleyball, soccer, basketball, and many more on their beautiful campus. While the Americans could hold their own in basketball each day, soccer was a different story.

The relationships we built at the school were wonderful, instantly we had friends on our first day there. All of the kids were very kind and open. We were definitely sad to leave our Colombian friends behind when returning home.  We also had lots of fun with them when the USA played Columbia in the Copa America, we did lose, but it made for a very fun night with our newfound friends.

A picture from the South side of Campus

Another photo of the courts where we played during or breaks in school

A classroom in the Claustro Moderno

Catedral de Sal

One of the days at school they took us on a field trip to the Catedral de Sal. We were confused to start, because the literal translation is a salt cathedral. Not knowing what to expect, we showed up to an underground salt mine that had been used for centuries. We were given a tour of the mine, and were taught how the miners had dug out several open areas to show the story of Christ from his birth to death to resurrection. It was fascinating. Then at the end there was a cathedral and a large open area with a cross engraved in the wall standing about forty feet tall. It was a truly incredible experience to see the Catedral de Sal, something I never dreamed could exist.

The Catedral de Sal

Monserrate

On one day my host brother Carlos said we were going to the Monserrate and that it was going to be awesome. I was excited but has no idea exactly what was in store. We all arrived to school and the left shortly after for downtown Bogotá and the Monserrate. We were later filled in that it was a place where you could see all of Bogotá. I was hesitant, because eleven million people live in Bogotá, I couldn't believe it was possible to see all of it. When we go to the top via cable car, I was proven wrong. It is one of the greater views I have seen in my life. When we all got to the top we were dumbfounded. It was truly incredible. Also at the top was a cathedral where Carlos said a lot of people went to worship during the week of Easter. I’ve tried to attach pictures, but I’m not sure they will do it justice. The Monserrate was a definite highlight of my trip.

The Cathedral on top the Monserrate

The view on top the Monserrate

My family

My family is what made my experience so phenomenal. My first night they were so welcoming, and they really made me feel like a part of their family for the three weeks I was there. They did everything. Every morning my host mother woke up at 5:30 in the morning just to cook us all breakfast before we left for school. Then she and my host father would tell us all goodbye and wish us luck that day at school. Upon arrival from school, there would always be dinner on the stove, and a warm welcome from my host parents. They also always had my best interest in mind, always checking to see if I was OK. My host family made my experience in Columbia incredible. Being able to experience their culture through my host family was a very unique experience that I am forever grateful for.

The most treasured memory I had in Columbia was my final night. My whole family gathered in a room and they shared with me about how I was a blessing in their life and they were so grateful to have had this experience. I was stunned. They made me feel so special and told me how I was always welcomed in their house. I responded telling them about how I had the best experience and how I really felt like I had a second home in Columbia. That final night I had talking with my host family is one I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Me and my family one afternoon

Many, Many Thanks

I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to all the people who made this possible. I would first like to give a big thanks to the Wilson family for making it financially possible, because without them there would be no trip. I next would like to thank my wonderful family for taking me into their home and treating me as their own. They truly made this experience incredible for me. Last, I’d like to thank the entire Spanish department for making this possible, and in particular Señor Kamm for pushing me to apply. Without all of these people, my experience couldn't have been possible. I am very grateful for them. Because of them I have not only grown as a student but also as a person. Many thanks.