University of South Carolina
I had been to Colombia before, so I knew more or less what to expect from this most recent visit. My prior trip was specifically to Medellin and the University of Antioquia, a progressive public university whose student population (91%) draws from the lower socioeconomic echelons of the population. That trip impressed upon me the high regard with which a higher education—and access to it—was held. All of the students with lower SES had their educations subsidized. I liked the impression that education was a right rather than a privilege (as it is in much of the United States). What also impressed me in that initial visit was the attention to infrastructure—particularly the transportation system. A beautiful modern train runs through the heart of the city and an equally beautiful cable car system connects the heart of the city to the surrounding hills where communities akin to Brazil’s favelas as well as upscale high-rises reside.
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Our group arrived in Bogota, Colombia late Sunday night. We were a little travel weary but I was looking forward to the opportunity to get to know another country and to build lasting partnerships with a fascinating group of colleagues. For me, the most impactful time so far (we still have one more city—Cartagena—to visit as I’m writing this piece) has been in Medellin. Our guide in Bogota told me that I’d love Medellin, and she was absolutely right.
Exploring the history and culture of Colombia was a moment straight from what I could have only seen on the travel channel, only I actually had the opportunity to become immersed in the culture for myself.
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