I have been in Bogota, Colombia for one month now and I’m having the time of my life. I have made really close friendships and many memories. I have gotten used to the different style of life and also how different the school is. I have been catching up with schoolwork from LCC even though it’s hard sometimes and I’ve also been doing schoolwork for the school here. I have classes that I don’t have at LCC, like physics. I have learnt a lot and I feel more independent when it comes to doing schoolwork.

Every weekend I go somewhere with my host family. I’m so lucky that they know so much about Colombia and are willing to take me to places and do things I have never done before. I went to Villa de Leyva on my second weekend and we went zip lining, riding in the desert and explored the town. I have taken so many photos and videos and have bought many typical Colombian things to bring back home to my family. I have also gone on many hikes and climbed all the way up to an altitude of 3,600m. I have learnt about Colombian culture and, as I am from South America, I think it is really good to know. I talk Spanish almost at all times, which I’m really happy about, and I’m now starting to use Colombian words.

Andrea has arrived and I’m so happy to be back with her. She has been a great host and has basically become like a sister to me. I have met many of her friends from her grade and they are all so welcoming.

This whole experience is better than I could have imagined. I know that I will never forget this and I’m going to keep my friends forever. All that I have experienced is making me a better person. I’m so excited to spend my birthday in Cartagena during my last week here. I’m going to enjoy my last weeks and make the most out of them. – Sofia Araya Meier ’19, Student Exchange at Colegio Anglo Colombiano