All Adventures Come to an End | #5

It is official. My time in Colombia is over. Everything about my departure was sad. I slowly started saying goodbye to friends I had made but knew I wouldn’t see again in my last week. Last night my host family had a little goodbye planned for me; we all sat around talking about how the hosting experience was for everyone as well as what we cherished most. They even bought me my favorite cake and printed out pictures of my stay for me. The last few days I was able to spoil my host siblings with the Colombian pesos I had left (because it wasn’t worth it to me to pay for dollars again). This morning I said goodbye to my host parents, then my host siblings, and finally, the teachers I had friended during my stay. One teacher burst into tears as I entered her classroom because she had thought I wasn’t going to say goodbye. I waved goodbye and gave out a few hugs to some students as I left, but I wasn’t able to have a grand goodbye. I had no idea people had grown to care about me this much, and it was incredibly heartwarming. This was definitely a life changing experience. In all honestly, I could feel my values strengthen and my personality forming as I went through this whole new experience on my own. I really hope that Colombia is just the first of many countries I will get to visit in my lifetime, because these are experiences I will cherish for as long as I live.

As for my volunteering experience, I loved it. I came into this project thinking that it will help me determine my career. Although it did help me, it was not in the way I was expecting. I realized I do not want to be a teacher. I always thought I did, but I have realized it is a harder job than I thought. To do it a few hours every day, a couple of days a week is very different to teaching all day every week day. It is hard to be the bad guy and hard to enforce rules. I am glad I took this trip, and although I am happy to be returning home, I will definitely miss my new friends and second family.

One Week Left | #4

This past weekend we were able to visit another part of Colombia. With a group of friends, we left on a 3hr bus ride that only costs $7 and a hotel for $13 a night. It was amazing. First time traveling to a place with no plans whatsoever. But, in Colombia, everyone is offering their services to new arrivals. Because of this, we ended up hiring a driver to take us to touristic locations and get us discounts on many things. On this trip, I went on my first zip line, drove a 4wheel motorcycle, and had my first horse ride. We also did a lot of sight seeing and took a lot of incredibly beautiful pictures. Since $1 is 3.000 Colombian pesos, everything is super cheap for me. So we were able to eat in more luxurious restaurants without feeling guilty! However, this makes me incredibly bad at negotiating. Everything seems so cheap to me that I can’t really say “That’s too expensive, *offers a lower price*”. Therefore, I was always in the back counting my blessings as my friends got us things for cheaper and cheaper prices.

I am surrounded by friends, and I really believe I am changing personally. People tell me I am a confident young woman, I’m extroverted, a people person, and friendly but firm. I like these descriptions of myself, but its the first time I’ve heard them. All my life I’ve been the shy, quiet girl. But I believe this whole experience has changed me. I came by myself and had to learn many things on my own. I wanted to explore the country, but not by myself, so I forced myself to make friends and become the person that’s always invited.

I have less than one week left. While one part is ready to go back to hot showers, clothing dryers, Mexican and American food, my dogs, family, and friends, another part of me will miss the mountain view, the fresh air, the rice, my host family, my new international friends, and the students at the school. Today was my last official day volunteering at the school, but I will be visiting again so I can say goodbye to all the students and teacher friends. I will try to enjoy everyday I have left because they are each my last.

Halfway Done | #3

This week was filled with new adventures and heartache. Although I was the first one to arrive at my project, my friend from Mexico was the first to leave. We had grown incredibly close over the course of two weeks so I felt the need to mention her in my blog. We were able to visit Monserrate (mountain in the center of Bogota) and had a blast! My host siblings continued to show me around the city and am forever grateful for them. I have 16 days left in Colombia and am starting to buy everyone back home souvenirs (including coffee). I have (sadly) gotten used to seeing many homeless people sleeping on the floor or emptying trash bags for food. I’ve also seen dirty skinny dogs on the streets, performers on public transportation and the city, and for those who didn’t have talent or things to sell, they would either tell a story or just ask for money. What did make me cry, however, was having a little girl of about 5yrs come up to me and ask me for money (when I really didn’t have any).

Another daily struggle I haven’t gotten used to is the freezing cold water. The only warm water is in the shower, and even then there’s a trick needed to get it (which would have been helpful the first time I showered). Although Colombians are also Latinos, the food here is SUPER different. Sadly, bananas make me want to puke and it is one of their favorite things to put in my plate. Also, I still have communication issues. There are many additional Spanish words I’ve never heard before here and many words where Mexicans and Colombians have different meanings for (by the way, I’m Mexican-American).

Besides that, I have now given over 10 Zumba classes to different grades, and as far as I can tell, everyone loves them! The English classes have become a little trickier, since now I am in classrooms of younger students and there’s no way to teach them English without using my Spanish (which I was forbidden to do).  Also, one English teacher refuses to teach grammar and instead focuses on art projects where students are supposed to practice their English (but they don’t unless the teacher is present). I am not sure who to go to with this information. In other news, I now appear in their school website and YouTube! I have fallen in love with Colombia and have no idea how I’m going to leave…

Not Alone Anymore | #2

This week has been filled with changes (not that I’ve gotten used to anything yet)! This past week we received another person from Mexico, and I’m so glad she came. Together, we understand our daily struggles of being the weird ones in this country. However, just yesterday, we got two more people from Puerto Rico and one from Bolivia. We all get along great and I can’t wait for our AIESEC meeting tonight. I also feel incredibly blessed to have my host family. The parents may be strict with me, but I love that I have someone looking out for my wellbeing while I am alone in a different part of the world. I also get along with the three children and am even invited to hang out with them and their friends.

As for my school schedule, it has also changed. Now, instead of following one English teacher and having other teachers ask permission for me to help in their class,  I officially have my own schedule. Now, I get to visit classes from 1st grade to 11th grade (which is as high as the school goes). Also, since I am also a Zumba Instructor, I’ve been asked to lead a gym class for 5th graders! I’m so excited for the new classes I will be visiting this upcoming week. Also, my AIESEC program will be visiting Villavicencio next weekend (where it will be hot!) so I will get to visit more of Colombia!

First Week: Complete | #1

I was able to quickly capture one of the many moments I am surrounded by students of all ages with many great questions. This has been my experience my first week in Bogota, Colombia volunteering as an Assistant English Teacher. It is the first time I am considered foreign and the first time I am the absolute center of attention (and it doesn’t help that I am the only one in the whole school without uniform). Besides the awkward struggle of having everyone gawking at me, I am incredibly happy. Since I am still a young student myself, I can relate to many of these students. I also have plenty of patience and a passion for teaching, so everyone welcomes my help and beg teachers to have me present in their class. I love that everyone has been incredibly kind to me and am grateful for the opportunity to help these brilliant students with their English!