Student Exchange: Learning Something New Every Day in Colombia

I have been living in Bogota, Colombia for a week and half and it has felt like the longest 11 days of my life. I feel like I’ve lived here my whole life and that is because my host family and friends in school have made me feel so welcome and at home.

The journey here was very emotional. This was the first time I had ever been away from home for more than a week. After having an emotional farewell with my best friends and family, I flew to Toronto with my dad and stayed the night. On February 17, I said goodbye to him and that’s when the journey truly begun. I was all alone and all the responsibility was on me. I made it through security, got to the gate and then took a six-hour flight to Bogota, Colombia. The flight was great and before I knew it, I was already with my host family on the way to the house. I have never met such caring people in my life. I am so grateful to have been placed with my host family.

As my journey began I was introduced to many new foods, which I loved, and A LOT of Colombian music that I can’t stop listening to. On my second day, I went up this mountain and saw an amazing view of Colombia. The city is so beautiful and the best thing about it is that it reminds me of my home country.

I started school feeling very nervous but everyone was so nice. By the end of the first day, I had talked to almost everyone in the grade. As I spend more days in school, I’m becoming closer to everyone. Believe it or not it has been a bit hard to communicate with everyone. Even though my first language is Spanish, in Colombia they have a different vocabulary and A LOT of slang which I’m starting to get the hang of. School is very different from LCC but in a very good way. Classes are easier and I spend a lot of time outdoors, which I enjoy.

Every day I learn something new about the culture here and that’s what I love about the school and my host family. I’ve done things I thought I would never have the courage to do and I’m having the time of my life. I have taken many videos and pictures, which I’m excited to share with my friends and family when I get back home.

I have become a very independent and social person, which is what I wanted to get out of this experience. When first coming here, I thought that not being in Colombia at the same time as my exchange Andrea would be difficult, but it really hasn’t been that hard. I get along very well with her sister Camila who is in the grade below and we have so many things in common.

My trip is just beginning and I’m very excited about the rest of the adventures and the people I will meet.

I don’t think anything can prepare you for something like this but it has been the best decision I have ever made and I’m so grateful for everything. I know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity I will never forget. – Sofia Araya Meier ’19, Student Exchange at Colegio Anglo Colombiano

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