[A COLOMBIAN EXPERIENCE ] by [Antoni Loignon de Courval] Concordia University JMSB Student - 2013 REPORT LAYERS UNIVERSIDAD EAFIT 2 REGISTRATION 2 AMENITIES 2 ADAPTATION 2 LIFE IN MEDELLÍN 3 FERIA DE LAS FLORES 3 A RIVALRY WORTH SEEING 4 A RIDE IN CHIVA 5 COLOMBIA AS A WHOLE 6 SPIRIT OF COLOMBIA 6 MY PERSONAL WORD 6 1 REGISTRATION The registration process at the university of EAFIT is rather well done. An international student upon arrival really needs to go to the admissions office and get every little detail settled so that adaptation can begin. First, it is important to get matched with a buddy and attend the orientation week (5 days before official starting date of the semester). The host-student in charge of you usually helps you getting your official and required Foreigner VISA at the migration office not so far away from the university. Finally, you should make sure to get in touch with an agent (in person) at the office of international affairs to get all proper course outlines and valid courses equivalencies in order to start. AMENITIES The university is quite amazing! It looks completely new, even though it is not that recent. It has a really nice gym, with a low fee per semester or per month. The library is quite huge and many desks have laptops and computers for students to use freely, and the Internet access is university-wide which makes it great for every student waiting between courses or wishing to get all work done at school instead of at home. Housing is not difficult at all, for my part I found a studio apartment near school by myself, but it’s recommended to go thru school and their in-charge individuals to find cheaper and student accommodations so that integration with the school be more fluid. There are a lot of food services and gourmet kiosks on-site and it is not really that expensive so you would for sure end-up eating at school a couple of times during the week! The university is quite amazing! It looks completely new even though it is not that recent. ADAPTATION Adapting one’s self in Medellin is not complicated. Of course, if someone doesn’t speak Spanish, it makes more difficult, but after all it is great to go abroad to learn and perfect a new language. Food is pretty much the same, of course, with some typical plates, which are, must I say, delicious. It is rather a matter of adapting to the culture and way of life that Colombians have, a way of life that is more relaxed and less stressing than ours. 2 FERIA DE LAS FLORES La Feria de Las Flores takes place at the Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Medellín and it is a yearly festival that includes El Desfile de Silleteros. This show is one of the most important and popular in the country, and celebrates the end of slavery by the demonstration of peasants carrying huge flower arrangements on their backs symbolizing the occasions many slaves carried their owners the same way. Another event is Cabalgata de la Feria or horseback riding groups coming from sixty regions of Antioquia (the department of “paisas”) and the country to participate and showcase their horses. Other events during this festival include, Arrieros, Mulas y Fondas, an event displaying the traditional foods, arts and customs of the different regions of Antioquia; Desfile de Carros Antiguos or parade of classic cars is amazing and successful every year; Orquídeas, Pájaros y Flores is an exhibit at the Medellín Botanical Garden, with flowers, birds and specifically orchids of many parts of the world and especially Colombia, a very important country in the production of flowers. 3 A RIVALRY WORTH SEEING It is to no one a secret that soccer is the most popular sport in Colombia, and more, when a match from the Colombian National Team takes place, the entire country lives, experiences, and plays it with their own soul. On a smaller scale, In Medellin, the strongest National-League team is called Atletico-Nacional and most of the finals will be between that team and the “Rojo” (red), and Medellin being called “el Verde” (the Green). Seeing a match or final of these two teams is something to experience. When Medellin wins, the whole city gets into a new state, fireworks, sounds, music, cars, and people, everyone cheers up and gets into the mood of partying and celebrating the pride of their team’s strength. Anyone visiting this city should at least try to see a match of “El Verde” to experience what it is to see a real soccer match and the ambiance that comes with it! When Medellin wins, the whole city gets into a new state: fireworks, sounds, music, cars, and people; everyone cheers up for their winning team. 4 A RIDE IN CHIVA A Chiva is a bus transformed into a party or touring bus. One thing is completely sure, good and typical music will be played on board all tour long. The bus does not have any window, which makes it great to look outside. Most of the time, people getting in chivas will be partying, having fun, a couple of drinks, dancing, and shouting cheerfully to the people passing by in the streets they are touring in. This is a typical Colombian activity, and any tourist should seek to experience a Chiva bus. Whether it is to tour a city or go for a pre-drink, a Chiva is a must-experience event in Colombia. However, one must be careful not to fall-off from aboard, in the excitement of the party! 5 COLOMBIA’S SPIRIT As a whole, Colombia is a team country. Everyone is kind to one another (there are always exceptions) and one should not be surprised to be called “Amor” by a walking lady in the street. People are helpful, relaxed, and most of the time happy with what they have. Colombian traditions are as varied as its topography. From food and clothing to music and dance, Colombian traditions have been created as much by their provinces of origin as by the Spanish, Caribbean and African influences brought in by outside settlers. Colombia has so many distinct territories -- beaches on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, vast swaths of rainforest in the southern interior, grassy plains (llanos) in the northern interior and breathtaking mountain vistas in the Andean region. This legendary country has so many sides to discover; music, food, culture, dances, villages, beaches, transports, festivals; one cannot get enough in even one year of visit. It is also crucial to mention that the main spirit of the country is its international-league soccer team—it is truly epic to watch a match of this scale. MY PERSONAL WORD I was a bit scared when I first set foot in Colombia. That quickly went away when my friend waiting for me at the airport took me to a small restaurant near to where I would be staying. Chatting and getting to know your place in a new culture is the best way to cherish and live unique experiences that will mark your life for the rest of your days on this planet. I could never regret, not even one second, choosing to come on a student exchange here, I have seen so many things, discovered so many sides I did not know a country could have, got to meet so many new friends and persons that my cellphone would eventually bug-out, ate so many different meals and drank so many different types of drinks, each one another being so rich in taste; no—I could never regret discovering my future number one travel and beach destination. I remember taking my first big step in my coming here: entering the Colombian Consulate Office in Montreal. Waiting to have my VISA handed-in, I quickly scanned the walls around me and I will forever remember what I saw, that one moment, on the wall, a poster saying: “Colombia, the Only Risk is Wanting to Stay…” 6 7 8 .