By Gabriel Rios-Rojas (Assistant Professor) and Anderson Carmona (Spanish TA & Ph.D. Candidate)

On May 26, 2024, six students from various Purdue schools traveled to Manizales, Colombia, with the primary goal of immersing themselves in Spanish and Colombian culture for four weeks. Manizales is known for its high educational standards and quality of life, hosting more than six universities, which distinguishes it from other cities in Colombia.

One of the students had previously visited Colombia, which influenced his decision to enroll in this program. Most of the group’s knowledge of Colombia came from news, movies, and streaming series, making this a valuable opportunity for them to experience life in the country firsthand.

During the four-week program, we collaborated with Universidad de Caldas in Manizales, the host campus. The program included classes focused on Colombian politics, art, and music, with all sessions conducted entirely in Spanish. The classes were intensive, with students receiving more than five hours of instruction daily. In addition to their academic studies, the students participated in a service-learning component, which involved teaching English within the conversations clubs held at various universities twice a week.

Beyond improving their Spanish, another goal of the program was to provide immersion in Latinx culture, specifically Colombian culture. To achieve this, the study abroad experience included a homestay with local families. The students were warmly hosted by Colombian families, allowing them to learn about the typical family life in Colombia. They also took trips to nearby towns and cities, as well as to Cartagena, a traditional tourist destination on the Atlantic coast. There, they had the chance to visit small Caribbean islands and swim in crystal-clear waters, which was one of the highlights of their trip.

A tour of a coffee farm was also a key component of the program since the city and the university were located in the Colombian coffee region. The students observed the entire coffee production process, from planting and harvesting the beans to processing and brewing fresh coffee. They even made chocolate from scratch using cacao fruit!

The locals of Manizales, known as “Paisas,” are renowned for their friendliness. The students found it easy to make new friends and learn about cultural differences, with personal space being one of the most noticeable variances. This difference became even more evident during their dance classes, which were part of the curriculum.

The experience was exceptional for both students and instructors. We all had the opportunity to learn more about our cultural differences, becoming more flexible and appreciative of what each of us brings to the table.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partner institution, Universidad de Caldas, and especially to Professor Yolanda Pasuy, the program leader in Colombia, for making this experience so memorable.