Programs

There are many opportunities for Colombian students pursuing diverse academic degrees to visit Purdue University for short periods of time. The office of Programs for Study Abroad offers several opportunities for Purdue students to travel to Colombia for educational purposes. 

Colombian students interested in visiting Purdue University

  • Undergraduate Research Experience Purdue-Colombia (UREP-C): this program was the brainchild of Dr. Diego Hernández from the Universidad Nacional in Bogotá. He envisioned a study abroad program to the United States that would be available to Colombian students of exceptional academic abilities to work alongside Purdue faculty and researchers in their labs across campus. In 2014, the first cohort of 25 students embarked on their journey to West Lafayette from the altiplanos of Colombia for 6 months. They were placed with faculty from six different colleges across campus, including Agriculture, Engineering, Science, Technology, Health and Human Sciences, and Pharmacy. While they were here they conducted independent research projects while interacting with graduate students and post doctoral scientists in labs and out in the field. The students were also paired with local families through International Programs, Friendship Families, so that the students could gain a better understanding of the culture and social fabric of the Greater Lafayette Community. In 2015, the program expanded to include all colleges on campus (adding in Liberal Arts, Education, and Management) and three more Colombian universities in the Nacional system (Medellin, Palmira, and Manizales). As such, the program doubled in size to nearly 50 students coming from diverse backgrounds including art, law, economics, foreign languages, industrial pharmacy, chemical engineering, botany, among many others. The hope is that these students will return in the very near future to continue their post graduate degrees and become Boilermakers.
  • Nexo Global: this program was launched by Colciencias, the Colombian government agency that supports research in the country. This program is designed to take Colombian undergraduate students to research internships in top universities around the world. In the first semester of 2015, 20 students from Universidad Nacional arrived to Purdue, where they support diverse research projects in strategic areas of interest as part of their six-month internship program. Colciencias, who is fully financing the internship, performs a thorough selection process that requires the students to demonstrate their interest and capabilities. In addition to their research projects, students participate in an English strengthening course, methodology sessions to learn how to present research results to different audiences, and several cultural activities. Read more about Nexo Global (Spanish)
  • GERI Summer Residential Program: Every summer since 1977, Purdue University's Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) has served gifted, creative, and talented students who have completed grades 5 through 12. Students live in the residence halls on Purdue's beautiful campus; take enjoyable, challenging courses; and participate in engaging recreational activities. Taught by outstanding teachers and supervised by experienced counselors, students meet others like them from around the world and across the United States. Please visit the program webpage for additional information, including promotional videos and a registration brochure.
  • "Pasantias" for graduate students

Purdue students interested in visiting Colombia

Study Abroad Programs

Study abroad programs change year to year. Please go to the Study Abroad Program Search for updates on course offering. This is a brief overview of some of the courses that have happened in the past and that might happen again in the future:

  • Live, Learn & Work: Cartegena Internship & Study Abroad summer internship in Cartagena approved by the College of Liberal Arts.
  • Multifaceted and Cultural Dimensions of Cartagena: cultural immersion in Cartagena during Spring Break, approved by the College of Agriculture. More information>>
  • Creative & Cultural Expression in Cartagena: Explore the artistic and cultural history of Cartagena, approved by the College of Liberal Arts.
  • Applied Principles of Fluid Power for Robotics Systems: summer program in Medellin, Colombia.
  • Building Cultural Bridges Through Music: summer program approved by the College of Liberal arts.
  • Global Alternative Power Solutions (GAP- Colombia): EPICS students to visit the city of Medellin during Spring Break 2015.
  • Interactive Art and 3D Animation (Colombia): interdisciplinary summer course in Medellin.
  • Food Security & Sustainable Development: summer program approved by the College of Agriculture.

Student Exchange Agreements