My experience in Colombia is one I wouldn't change for anything. Past Review
By A student (University of Sydney) - abroad from 12/01/2012 to 12/29/2012 with
The Intern Group: Colombia, Emerging Markets Internship Placement Program
It was a worthwhile experience and I learnt so much more about the city of Medellin.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In the words of Michel Foucault; "I do not feel that it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning." Working in the Municipal of Envigado, in the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development allowed me to do just that. To learn, not just about my academic field of study but about myself which further enhanced my experience and allowed me to grow in every sense of the word. I feel it suffice to say that every day was different. Every day was a challenge. But every challenge, I saw as an opportunity and, each opportunity led me to an incredible experience. I also feel each experience is very much unique, and it was one of the main things I loved about interning through The Intern Group; as they're a relatively new enterprise, there is no such template of experiences one often gets with longer running companies. Talking with other interns, we'd all be surprised at how incredibly different our network and work dynamics were which I really appreciated. It was very much customised to each participant but at the same time, there was a very healthy and strong support system within the interns and The Intern Group. Medellin, is a beautiful city I fell in love with. I always took care but always felt very safe. I feel that if you educate yourself on what the city is like, where is safe and where is not, and if you follow your intuition, you delve into an affluence off care. Public transport is really easy to take and the humanitarian culture is unlike any other; people are always willing to help. If ever you get lost, embrace the moment. It was on these occasions in which I discovered beautiful little places or met wonderful people. It's important to remember that every moment is a journey of exploration and discovery. Everyone in Medellin is certain that it's the best place to live in the world, and thus, the energy is transcendent and one begins to not only feel it, but believe it. It's the smiles and landscapes, the history and joy which really do make it the City of Eternal Spring. My experience with The Intern Group in Medellin, Colombia is one I wouldn't change for anything and one I'd recommend to everyone. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I'm a different type of traveller and I really don't get very much satisfaction from tours. I prefer to travel as an explorer and not a tourist as I feel tours they take away from the cultural and historical value by commercialising everything too much. If there were one thing I'd add (not change, because I know that many others do like the convenience of tours), I would add a very hands on, all terrain authentic experience to the program. Whether it's 'be an Arriero for a day', or visiting an indigenous community within the state of Antioquia over a weekend. An entire cultural immersion is what I think would complement the program. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
