My Semester in Bogotá- Jana Everett

When I applied to ViveLA, I had no idea that my experience in Colombia would have the huge impact on my academic and career goals that it has. I began in search of a work experience abroad - something simple that would be fun and look great on a resumé. ViveLA suggested I apply to work at La Agencia Colombiana para la Reintegración, the Colombian agency which runs the process of reintegration of demobilized and disarmed combatants, both ex-guerrilla and paramilitary. I knew the agency would be a good fit with my interests in international security and human rights, but it turned out to be much more. I remember one day in the office discussing with my boss a law that had recently passed regarding ex combatants and what it implied for the process of reintegration and reparation on the part of participants of the program, and everything just clicked - I was completely fascinated and wanted to learn as much as I could about the process. Toward the end of my stay, I had the privilege of shadowing the Director of the Agency - with whom I had had the fortune to speak one-on-one on many occasions in the office and at various events - as he attended important meetings with everyone from executives to participants of the program working on job applications. That experience simply cannot be matched. It may sound nerdy and complicated, but the truth is that thanks to ViveLA I have decided what I want to focus on with my research and thesis plans for the next year and a half, and perhaps even my future career.

My two months in Bogotá were much more than an intellectual experience, though. I met some truly wonderful people - many of whom worked in my office - and had an amazing time. Weekends often meant dancing or attending parties, plenty of eating and arguably far too much shopping. I felt perfectly safe venturing out on my own to run in one of the parks near my house and then passing a few hours afterward at a nearby cafe - or even taking a bus or taxi alone to see a market or museum. The food certainly did not disappoint; every day I was eating mounds of delicious fresh fruit, arepas filled with cheese, and my fair share of chocolate and sweets. My host mom could not have been better; she was an amazing cook, a fascinating person and ultimately a great friend.

Speaking Spanish all day every day was an invaluable experience to me. There is absolutely no better way to improve your language skills than to be totally immersed, using and cultivating those skills every minute of every day. At first it was extremely difficult, especially when it came to working in Spanish as I was constantly writing reports and taking direction that I didn’t always understand. But slowly I could feel my Spanish improving, and it felt great to have my bosses and coworkers comment on that improvement. By the end of my two months, my Spanish was so good that the cab driver who took me to the airport to fly home asked me why I was going to the US - he thought I was Colombian.

To anyone considering applying to ViveLA, I would say go for it! There is not a program out there that is more personalized and helpful. The ViveLA team answered every question I had as it came up and organized everything for me so that when I landed in Bogotá every detail had been taken care of. This amazing service also comes at a price which cannot be found with any other program. The ViveLA team does not work in order to make a profit; they just truly love their country and want to share it with others, to show the world that it is a beautiful place poorly represented by its negative reputation. If safety is a concern, I can speak from experience in saying that I was completely safe during my entire stay. I rode the bus alone to and from work every single day without incident and traveled to markets and fairs on the weekends with equal safety. I, of course, would never consider walking alone at night, but this is true of any large city one may visit. Not once did I feel threatened or frightened; if your common sense takes the lead, you have nothing to worry about. Thanks to ViveLA, I have discovered that Colombia is a beautiful country full of warm, welcoming people. It is a place to learn and let go. Let yourself be wrapped up in it! The only danger is that you will want to stay.

Salsa Emersion Program-Wendy Escobar

Traveling to Colombia to dance salsa had been a distant, but persistent thought in my mind. ViveLa brought this thought within reach in an instant. I have always loved dancing salsa, and once I started dancing salsa in a studio I began to grow more curious about Cali style professional salsa. There are few to no professional Cali Style salsa schools in the U.S., and I knew that in the future I wanted to travel to Cali to dance. I never thought that the opportunity would present itself so quickly. I had not traveled to Colombia since I was about 6, and had barely any memory of what Colombia was like. It seemed unreal how seamlessly and quickly everything was organized. I was going to travel to Cali, Colombia for two weeks in a Salsa Immersion program.

I had intensive salsa practice  2-5 hours a day. I was conditioned in Cali style salsa. My footwork skills became better than I ever thought they could be. It was painful at times, my clothes would be soaked in sweat after practice, but as a salsa dancer, it was amazingly rewarding. I was also able to explore dance beyond salsa by taking few tango and jazz dance classes. I was able to see the culture of dance in Cali, see the connection that people have with music in a different part of the world, and experience first hand the hard work and restless hours that salsa dancers in Cali dedicate to attain the title of “Capital de la Salsa”.

  

Cali, has an unbelievable amount of salsa clubs. It was astonishing how much people loved to dance. I was able to practice what I had done in class in a social environment, nightly.

My trip to Cali however, did not just involve dance. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself completely with Colombian culture. I was able to travel within Colombia and explore its beauty and people. I went to Popayan, a historically rich city in the outskirts of Cali. I also visited Cali's main tourist attractions like el Gato de Tejada and ate traditional foods such as Cholado, chontaduro and aborrajado.

I also went to finca in the mountains and to a waterfall in el Rio Pance. Both these trips were breathtaking. I had never been surrounded by such vibrant colors. I was also able to go to a few local concerts and live the excitement of the U-20 World Cup, which was being hosted in Colombia. I knew Colombians liked soccer, but i did not know to what extent. On game day all of Cali was dressed in yellow and blue.

The most amazing part about traveling to Colombia was the people. I made more friends than I can count. I was able to meet and bond with a wide range of people: college students, dancers, people from outside of Cali, people visiting from the states, distant family members etc.

I am grateful that ViveLa gave me the opportunity to travel and dance in Colombia. It was truly a life changing experience.

My 7-WEEK Internship in Bogotá!

Nicolas Diaz 

La Alta Consejería Presidencial Para La Reintegración (ACR)

I still remember with utmost clarity the day I left Colombia as a 7-year old. For months I judged that day as the one that ended my childhood happiness, forcing me to leave behind everything I knew and loved.

However, as one year away from home turned into thirteen, I couldn’t help but notice how every time I came back to Bogotá, all I did was criticize what I once had loved and missed. I would complain about the horrendous traffic, curse about the unappealing nature of too many a shady neighborhood and, above all, continuously nitpick about where local politicians were driving my country.

This pessimistic behavior only intensified as I realized my family felt exactly the same way: grateful for having left Colombia, as if living here had been some sort of punishment or misfortune.

I honestly can’t remember when my point of view towards my hometown took a 180-degree turn; I simply remember wanting to leave behind that awry attitude and actually doing something beneficial for the country I had unfortunately grown accustomed to criticizing day in and day out.

As one thing led to another, and through ViveLa I obtained an internship placement with La Alta Consejería Presidencial Para La Reintegración (ACR), I started, for the first time in 13 years wanting to change my country in the course of my own efforts, instead of merely through endless carping and ill-bred comments. ViveLa welcomed this interest of mine with open arms, and a few short weeks later, I was walking into the office where I would work for the following month-and-a-half.

I was immediately impressed by the vast array of abilities and life experiences everyone in the office had had in their field of work; at times I felt intimated, but more often than not, I felt privileged for being surrounded by so many individuals who were incredibly willing and able to change the course of the armed conflict in Colombia.

Moreover, I realized what I was doing in my internship was one of the more important tasks being carried out in the Colombian peace process as I discovered how Colombia’s Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration program is the only one in the world that is being carried out while the actual conflict is still taking place. I became even more proud of what I was doing when I saw how other countries are looking up to Colombia’s peace initiative in order to solve their own armed conflicts.

I can’t emphasize enough how both ViveLa and ACR catapulted me onto a whole new level of work experience which managed to surpass my expectations. As a result, I am leaving with incredibly valuable experience which I hope to apply in other internships or jobs I may have in the future.

Most notably, however, I am ending this 7-week long internship knowing that I actually did something good for my country, as opposed to criticizing all its faults instead of developing its strengths.

Good afternoon ViveLA!

Fútbol con Corazón has been an amazing experience for a Colombian- 

American, such as myself. Working with FCC was both stimulating and 

enjoyable. I learned how an NGO works by working on grants, 

interacting with people in and out of the organization, and simply 

listening and observing my co-workers within the site. FCC truly does 

amazing work in some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods of the 

Colombian Caribbean coast. They make a difference in the lives of many 

children by providing them with life-long values using the methodology 

"Football for Peace." Not only are they expected to show good 

sportsmanship on the field, but positive and commendable behavior 

within their families, communities, and social networks. When I saw 

the children from the neighborhood, El Pueblo, with pride and love for 

their site, I really knew I was in the right place working for a great 

cause and organization. I feel reassured that these children will have 

brighter futures and better opportunities in their lives due to the 

guidance and support that FCC provides. I absolutely loved working for 

FCC, and I hope to continue working with them in the future!

The first picture is with Shirly Orozco, Social Welfare Director, and 

my director, Nathalia Ochoa, Director of Research and Evaluation

The following picture is with the Executive Director, also GW Alum, 

Estefania Montoya.

Thanks so much!

LORENA :) 

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