Need Assistance

ShazCas says on Aug 13, 2004, 01:39:

Relax, Christina, there's no reason to be scared - Bogota is a very nice city - honest!! If you find you have no-where to stay, I know a very good hostal in the old colonial area called the Candelaria. It's called the Platypus and its rooms cost $4US a night. The owner, German, is lovely, and the people you meet there will give you the initial support you will need.

I went to Colombia alone as a young woman of 20 and I had a ball! One thing you mustn't do is rush. Whatever you're trying to do in Colombia, it won't be quick, so don't expect to get a job in a month or secure a student visa in a couple of weeks. Telephone the Javeriana if they don't answer - you must be pushy pushy pushy if you want to live in Bogota. You have to be determined and hassle people constantly to get want you want - don't wait for them to go to you - go to them!

No-one will treat you badly for being Malasian - they'll find you fascinating, will love you and ask you loads of questions. Don;t be afraid to ask people things in Bogota, even on the street, as long as they don't look dangerous of course!

Be really firm, pushy and careful with taxis. If you don't speak Spanish, don't get in to a taxi alone until you have enough Spanish to tell them you don't want to go the long route up the mountains for the view, that you know exactly where you want to go. I learnt Spanish in a Bogota taxi, and I learnt fast!!! Take a bus - get someone to show you how to use them - you don't need Spanish. It's much safer too. If you do take a taxi, never take one on the street alone. If you're alone, call them and ask for the numberplate. Write it down and check it's the same one when the taxi arrives.

You should get the course with the Javeriana sorted and the student visa organised before you go. It's better to go organised than go on a tourist visa and end up paying money, crying and begging down at the DAS. Why did you book the flight if nothing is organised yet? When you say they say "I could stay longer depending on the situation." did they give you the precise details of this?

How much money do you have? You won't need that much. You could get a room sharing with someone for $200,000 COP and you don't need that much to live.

If you want to teach you will get a job no probs, but getting one that gives you a visa is more difficult. E mail me at any time at shaz_b88 at hotmail.com - I know a lot of nice people in Bogota, I lived there for quite a while and was a teacher, so I can help you out.

Above all, relax, keep your wits about you, be pushy pushy pushy when you need to, and you'll have a fab time!

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Christinalkc says on Aug 13, 2004, 07:15:

Thanks Shaz Hey Shaz,

Are you still living in Bogota? Thanks for the information of the hostel. Do u think it would be good for me as I would have quite a lot of stuff with me? And another problem, how can i get from the airport to the places i am going to stay without getting cheated?

I had to book the ticket that soon as that's the only available flight where British Airways is giving this cheap fares. Therefore, I don't wanna lose it.

When I called up the Consulate, there were not much of info given but then I guess I will sort out with La Javeriana before pushing for answers from the Consulate. Luckily, the Consulate is near to where I live.

I don't have much $$ with me. All I have is the savings I made when I was in Australia. I will need to accumulate all my $$ into USD and I guess that would only be enough for me to survive for 3 months before I start to beg.

But then, it would be wonderful if I could also have my living place sorted out too before i get there..... do u think it is a good idea if i ask my uni to do for me? will it be expensive?

Chao,
christina

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ColombiaBoard says on Aug 13, 2004, 21:08:

Christina,
Get in touch with LaiShen, call her before you fly to Bogota, she´s told me you plan to fly to Colombia. Write her an email and ask for her work phone number. I don´t know, but she may know someone in Bogota or at least you´ll have someone you can talk to. I was really worried when I read that you don´t know where you´ll sleep.
Near La Javeriana there are hundreds of rooms for students but you´ll only find a good room once you get there.

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Christinalkc says on Aug 13, 2004, 21:32:

Hey again,

First of all, thanks a lot for providing me with Lai Yin's contact. I have written to her last week and still pretty much waiting for her reply. If I am not mistaken, she told me she will be Buenos Aires for a conference. So I will wait for her till she comes back to Medellin.

Chao Pescao,
christina

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ShazCas says on Aug 14, 2004, 06:22:

Hi Christina,

I'm not in Bogota any more, unfortunately, or else we could arrange to meet up. Your stuff will be a pain to cart around, but it'll be safe enough at PLatypus. German at Platypus will even meet you at the airport if you ring him beforehand and ask. I don't have the number, but it's in the Lonely PLanet Guidebook, which is something I recommend you buy before you go as it'll be so much help to you.

Otherwise, when you're at the airport, ask how much it will cost before you get in the taxi. A trip to the Platypus would cost around $11,000, for example.

Maybe the Javeriana could sort you out with a room, and I think you should ask. A room sharing with other students shouldn't cost more than $400,000 a month max, and that would be expensive.

Good luck and just e mail me if you need any help at any time! And buy that Lonely Planet Colombia book - it'll be your bible!!

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Hallgeir says on Aug 14, 2004, 06:56:

Platypus! Here is platypus homepage, you will find e-mail and phonenumber there!

http://www.platypusbogota.com

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poulet says on Aug 14, 2004, 07:21:

Hi christina, if you need any help I'm from Bogotá, write me an email: east_man at mail.com. I go to Los Andes university and there are lots of rooms for rent all around the campus which are meant for students so they shouldn't be very expensive.
as I see your english is very good, so if you need to talk to someone or anything don't hesitate to email me.
Good luck.

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Christinalkc says on Aug 14, 2004, 08:48:

thanks poulet.... well... poulet, r u french coz i think that should mean chicken in french or something like that. :)

oh well yeah, my english is not that bad though it is not my first language. However i speak that language all my life with my amigos and i have been in melbourne, australia for 2 years. now i am tryin to learn spanish on my own and i know that i am runnin out of time. Gee, spanish is really difficult with thousands of verbs!

i am considering another uni which is la nacional de bogota and i heard it is a pretty good uni but then with a lot downside of it such as disruption whenever there is a protest or things like that.

Like what Shaz suggested, I should also get hold of a student visa before i get there as it would be easier. but then the uni takes so ages to reply to my enquiries as how can i pay the fees so my student visa can be processed. maybe i should go to the consulate here in malaysia to ask for help about applyin to study colombia.

well, everyone.. this is my email addy - christinalkc at yahoo.com.au

and suggestion or helping hand is much welcomed... muchas gracias! u guys, as always, helpful and i really appreciate that! god bless u colombians and non colombians of this board!

chao,
christina

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Christinalkc says on Aug 14, 2004, 08:55:

thanks hallgeir got that website...browsing through it right now... looking at the pictures of the room, wondering if it would be safe to share with unknown ppl as i have a lot of things with me such as lap top and camera.... these two r my most important stuff....

christina :)

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ShazCas says on Aug 14, 2004, 09:23:

Give them to German You need to give them to German to keep in the safe - along with your passport and tickets. This is something you should do at every hostal anyway, even if you have your own room.

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poulet says on Aug 14, 2004, 16:21:

I'm actually 15/16(90%) colombian and 1/16(10%) spanish, hehe, but I also speak english and french.
maybe you can write an email to my uni, go to this page http://ingles.uniandes.edu.co/ and see what info you can find.

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litost says on Aug 14, 2004, 19:54:

Christina, I told a good friend in Bogota about your case and she said she would have a look at this post and hopefully she'll get in touch with you by email. Her name is Johanna.

Good luck, and let us know how everything goes!

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Christinalkc says on Aug 14, 2004, 19:56:

Yo poulet,

Thanks for the web site but I couldn't find anything regarding Spanish course. I am not sure if this is true but I have heard that Los Andes has removed the course and no longer offering it. Anyhow, i have written to them to enquire about it. Hope they reply soon.

Chao,
Christina

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litost says on Aug 14, 2004, 20:03:

Universidad Externado If you're still looking into where you'll take the spanish courses, you could also look into the program at my alma mater, Universidad Exterando de Colombia:

http://www.uexternado.edu.co/cepex/english/index.html

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Christinalkc says on Aug 14, 2004, 20:11:

Thanks Litost I have got an email from Johanna and I will write her pretty soon letting her know of my plans and the things I would like to do there. Thanks a lot ppl... and I really hope I will able to meet of all you over there in Bogota one fine day!

Chaolin,
Christina

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ShazCas says on Aug 16, 2004, 03:35:

Universities Both los Andes and the Externado are good. You mentioned La Universidad Nacional - I think it would be a really good idea to check that one out as well, as the Spanish classes there would be a lot cheaper than in the other universities. I met a lot of foreigners in La Nacho (that's the pet name for the Nacional) and the Spanish course was very popular. Also, the social unrest you find there is not really going to be a problem for you. You may find you'll have a few classes cancelled, but you'll probably find the demonstrations more interesting than dangerous - they're not dangerous at all (unless you're in the front line throwing petardos or stones at the police!!!) You should definitely consider it I think. It's such a lovely university, it's so interesting and the quality of the teaching is very high.

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Christinalkc says on Aug 16, 2004, 05:38:

Re:Universidad Yo Shaz (can I call u that?)

I have written to both La Nacional and Externado last Friday and I suppose I will have to wait for their reply as I know Monday is a public holiday in Colombia. I just pray that they will reply me as soon as possible.

Well, I don't mind class cancellations as long as the classes will be replaced indefinitely so the fees I paid for will not go down the drain. Hmm.... speaking of demonstration, I have taken part in the state level demonstration in Melbourne during the Anti-War campaign against the government's decision to send troops to Iraq. But anyhow, I don't think I have the guts to stand on the frontline and throw stuff... I am a coward shit! LOL

Where is the location of the universiy may I ask? Is it far away?

Thanks mate,
Christina (christinalkc at yahoo.com.au)

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Christinalkc says on Aug 16, 2004, 05:53:

The weather condition Hi all again,

I am wondering how's the weather condition in Bogota? I know it is pretty cool all year round because of the altitude but is it humid? I just returned to Malaysia but then I am suffering a bad case of skin allergies because of the combination of heat and high humidity and also haze.

Also, how do the girls of my age (24) dress up there? I know I am an alien there but I don't want to be an alien from another galaxy or century! Please advice! :)

Ta,
Christina

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poulet says on Aug 16, 2004, 10:12:

La Nacional is not very far away, If you're going to stay downtown, or in La Candelaria it's very near. It's near the football stadium and it has a major street(avenida 30) going through it.

Weather here isn't humid. I mean, it's not like when you get off a plane in a coastline city and you feel your clothes sticking to your skin. It has been a bit rainy the last few days, though.

Dress code for young people:
Jeans, regular shirts(not too colourful) or t-shirts for the day, a jacket or coat, and shoes, please don't wear sandals or stuff like that, just plain regular shoes with socks.

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Christinalkc says on Aug 16, 2004, 20:03:

Oh well, seems it is not appropriate to wear the sort of clothes I wear while I was in Australia. Anyhow, I read the post from Australia girl in Cartagena. I didn't know that I would need more than USD500 to spend a month. I thought I could do fairly less than that. I am that sort of person who doesn't eat or spend much. Probably my money will go to rent and transportation. I was told that I would need around $350 a month to live moderately in Bogota, excluding my school fees.... Any comments?

Chao,
Christina

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teppar says on Aug 17, 2004, 01:17:

my opinion on dress code christina,

i don't know how you dressed in melbourne, but the aussies from my experience were very laid back. anyway...in colombia anything really goes. most women were in jeans and regular tops....to go out at night definately a little more skin showing...but pretty much fashion in bogota was comparable to fashion in any other big city around the world. i didn't feel out of place (and i don't wear jeans). anything really goes from my opinion. just be prepared for weather that changes minute by minute (again like melbourne)....it can start off cool, turn hot, then rain...its wonderful (i'm being facetious)...you have to be prepared :-) of course this is only my opinion based on 5 weeks stay during june-july of this year. but i can't imagine the fashion would radically change during other times of the year since the temperature is pretty consistent.

good luck

cheers

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Christinalkc says on Aug 17, 2004, 01:35:

Dressing code Well teppar,

Thanks a lot for the information... Since Melbourne is famous for having four seasons a day, we have a variety of clothing every day. During winter, we wear a lot of trenchcoats and knee length boots with scarves and whatever. During spring and fall, we wear a lot of long sleeve tops and sometimes short sleeves with jackets (furs r quite popular in Melbourne) and summer is the best... and I guess i don't have to explain that...a lot of thongs and sandals!

Chao,
Christina

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ShazCas says on Aug 17, 2004, 13:51:

Clothes and weather Hi Christina,
Of course you can call me Shaz! The Nacional University is in the centre of town, a little to the west, just as poulet said, near the Carrera 30 with Calle 45. You could live in the Candelaria, or if you prefer something still very pretty but quieter, you could live in Teusaquillo, or Palermo, which are two areas even nearer the Nacional, and you could get a flat in those areas for $400,000 a month. You can easily live on $1,000,000 ($400 US) excluding fees, but less than that is a bit tight. I suppose $350 would be ok, if you were careful. You'll find most of your money would go on rent and bills, as fun is not expensive in Bogota. You won't be able to live in the north on that money, but then you need to be near your studies anyway. You should look to live in areas called Chapinero, Teusaquillo, Palermo (really recommend both - beautiful, cheap, quiet, accessible and safe) and la Candelaria. And don't agree to pay more than $400,000 a month rent, as you'll have problems with your money otherwise.

In Bogota, you should have an umbrella, a waterproof jacket, jumpers and warm clothes, t-shirts and jeans. Comfy shoes. You won't need shorts or sandals for Bogota itself. The temperature is always about 15 - 20 degrees during the day, it's sunny but also rains a lot. As it's high up, you can easily get burnt - it's like a toaster, so bring a good moisturiser with SPF15, even if you are not pale.

You can wear what you like really, but if you wear flashy expensice things you will call attention to yourself. Don't bring many clothes as you can buy really nice cheap clothes there - my advice would be to fill your bags full of music, books, photos, tea, and other beloved possessions instead.

Hope this helps!

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poulet says on Aug 17, 2004, 14:33:

christina, I called la Javeriana and they're emailing me some info, If anyone else is interested mail me at east_man at mail.com

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rca_rodrigo says on Aug 18, 2004, 20:29:

hey u thank God u are ok... 8P

im working at this moment... but i have time to read my incoming mail-...

pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee email me Crhis its been a while since we talked...

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Christinalkc says on Aug 19, 2004, 20:08:

UNIVERSIDAD EXTERNADO DE COLOMBIA Hi guys,

I would like to know if this uni is a good uni? I have enquired about their Spanish course and it seems their fees is comparable to La Nacional.I should say almost the same. Is this uni as good as La Javeriana? Are there lotsa foreigners there? Anyone can tell me where's the location of the uni? Geez, I am so worried if I make the bad choice.

Christina

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litost says on Aug 20, 2004, 11:27:

First of all, I studied there so I may be impartial...

But I can truely say it's a very good university, one of the best in Bogota, if it doesn't get mentioned as much as Los Andes, La Javeriana and La Nacional it's only because it's not nearly as big. The campus is therefore also smaller, but very pleasant and comfortable, the gardens are absolutely gorgeous (check in my photo gallery there's a pic). It's located on a hill, it's right between the Candelaria neighborhood which is downhill, and the beautiful green mountain range ("cerros") uphill. It's rather upscale and brings together people studying mostly liberal professions (law, economics, administration, international relations, sociology, etc.), but also a lot of cool and down to earth people. Thanks mostly to its international relations faculty, there is a good share of foreign students (though not A LOT) and teachers who you'll encounter.

Johanna, my friend who wrote to you, can help you out a lot too as she also studied there with me. If you have any more questions about the U Externado let me know as well.

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ShazCas says on Aug 20, 2004, 12:01:

I agree I also think that the Externado is a great university. It doesn't have a big campus like the Nacional, but the gardens are beautiful, and are actually famous for the variety of plants. You might not have the same opportunity to meet people as you would have in the Nacional, as there aren't as many extra-curricular activities, and it doesn't have a campus, but the students are very nice, and the quality of the teaching is very high. If it were me, I would choose the Nacional, but then we are all different, and different places suit different people. Both are good, so you won't be at risk of making a bad choice, as you say.

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Christinalkc says on Aug 24, 2004, 00:49:

Student Visa Hi all ( again!),

I have look into university applications such as La Javeriana and Universidad Externado and none of them would take applications from overseas which means I will have to be there in person to make the application and payments.

This is rather hard for me as I will have to go to Colombia without any certainty that I would get to study there and also since I am a Malaysian, I could only enter Colombia without a visa for only a month. I don't think that's enough time at all for me have all these settled for all I know the student visa will take about 2 weeks to be processed for non-US citizens.

What else can I do from here? I might have a probability that my visa application may be denied for some financial situation. And I don't want to return to my country (more than 27hrs flight) without getting what I want.

Please advice,
Christina

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Harry says on Aug 24, 2004, 08:59:

I hope this helps Hello Christina,

First let me tell you a little about myself. I am an U.S. citizen and I live in Cali. I am an environmental engineer and I work as a consultant to an environmental firm in Cali.

I am taking a Spanish course at the Pontifica Universidad Javeriana here in Cali. I have a student visa.

I also have a very dear friend from Malaysia that is attending a University in Australia to complete her masters.

So now let me give you my opinion about your concerns about coming to Colombia. I have accomplished many of the things you are worried about in this moment. The only differences would be our citizenship, but I do not think that is any problem, and that fact you want to live and go to school in Bogotá.

Obtaining a student visa was very easy. First I needed to enroll at the University. This process was simple basically it only involved paying for the course. Since the class is basically a non credit course there is no need to worry about any sort of complicated application process.

To obtain a student visa you will need documents from the university. It took only three days for the university to prepare these documents. The second thing that is important is to show you have financial resources to live in Colombia for length of your studies. For me I gave them a copy of my bank records from the United States. I am not sure what the ministry will accept as minimum financial resources to stay in Colombia. I would think if you have enough to pay for your rent, food and transportation this would be acceptable. In other words if you had $300 USD for each month you plan to stay in Colombia it would be enough.

When I had all my documents ready I went to Bogotá to the ministry of immigration. It only took five hours to complete the process. To my surprise they did not charge me any fee for the visa, but the posted fee was about $45.00 USD.

You should be able to complete the entire process in 2 weeks without any problem.

The employment situation in Colombia is not that good. There are jobs but there is a lot of competition for these jobs. There are more jobs in Bogotá than they are in Cali. Many Colombians go to Bogotá to work because it is easier to find a entry level job in Bogotá and it pays a little better.


I hope that I have helped you in some way and I hope you enjoy you stay in Colombia.

I have some pictures on my web page of Colombia and also my e-mail address is posted on my web page.

http://www.harrybibee.com

See you in Colombia

Harry

Harry

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Christinalkc says on Sep 3, 2004, 03:11:

Thanks Harry!!! Thank you very much for the valuable info on student visa application in Bogota. I guess I am half way there. I have so far got 70% of the documents they asked for applying for a student visa. I am just waiting for the Certificate of Good Conduct from the Malaysian government which needed to be translated, endorsed and notarized. After that... I am off!!!! :)

Christina

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