Short term stay in Colombia

Hi. I am an English female, single and looking to take a sabbatical from work next year and spend some time in South America. However, for my application to be approved, I need to show something more than travel alone. This suits me fine - I want to do something- learn more Spanish and do some voluntary work.

Of all the countries I could go to, I really want to visit Colombia. This is perhaps influenced by my Spanish tutor at home, a Colombian, who is really sweet and I find her very inspiring, and I love hearing her stories of life in Colombia. She acknowledges the troubles there, but also talks of very warm people, beautiful landscapes etc. as well. My friends, relatives and colleages think I am totally crazy. They often do anyway, so that is nothing new.

I have the safe option of choosing a language school and voluntary work program (working with street children) in Argentina - safe, supported, accommodation provided, social activities all in etc. This is attractive as well, but not as attractive as going off the beaten track. Plus on the program there is a lot of hand holding that I am not used to, being very independent.

I have to go on my own. My friends mainly have partners, and I don't want to play gooseberry by tagging along with a couple and no couple wants a single person coming along cramping their style anyway.

If I go, I would rather stay in one place for some time and take side trips. I am thinking of either Cali or Medellin. This would involve staying there for 4-12 weeks, and would be dependent on finding a language school or good tutor and either a voluntary placement or some teaching work. I would like to be able to find a school or community project that would take an English assistant unpaid for 4-12 weeks. I have worked with homeless people, mainly with drug and alcohol problems, for 6 years full time at home. I have lots of experience working with children and teenagers from my past, though now I just work with adults. I also have a lot of IT skills. I only speak English and unconfident Spanish. I am not a qualified English teacher but would be willing to do an introductory course. I have done a lot of travelling on my own before, but in Europe and North America. I have lived and worked in the USA before, which was great. I have been learning Spanish at home, but I am not very confident or talented, hence the need for a tutor and lots of lessons there. I find if you stay in one place for more than a few weeks, it is easier to get to know people. I would prefer to stay either with a family or in a youth hostel. My tutor has said she will put me in touch wih some people, though they are based in Bogota.

So, am I totally and utterly crazy, or just keen to experience the world? Would it really be realistic to be able to get a placement and language lessons? If you had to choose somewhere (not Bogota, too big) where? I thought of Cali as its close to Popoyan and the old ruins I wish to see. I thought of Medellin as it is close to the coast and I want to go to the lost city if the political situation is okay at the time. I have done a lot of reading around Colombia, but will keep that up. Any other recommendations for places to live? If you had to chose between Cali or Medellin, which would you choose (I haven't time to take an extended stay in both)?

I have read a lot about safety. I have heard of many Western visitors who go to Colombia and don't come to any harm. I have of course heard of people getting kidnapped and murdered. However, I have also heard many many tales of backpackers getting robbed, raped, assualted etc. in Peru, but that doesn't put people off going there. I am also aware that civil war and guerilla activity goes on in other countries - in my memory, I have heard reports of fighting in Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru (is the Shining Path still active or now history? I haven't heard anything of them for a while) and Chile and Argentina haven't had a trouble free past. I am also nervous of anti Western sentiment. I have heard a lot about Americans being hated. I don't know to what extent this is true. Do they also hate the English?

Has anyone done this? I am only looking at 4-12 weeks. I could switch my plans to Argentina, but if this really is a possibility it would be cool.

By northerngirl on Oct 13, 2005, 04:28 in Friendly Talkzone.

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MLBUSS says on Oct 13, 2005, 07:12: Colombia Stay Do you know when next year? Would you be interested in Bogota? 0 funny, 0 helpful.

adela says on Oct 13, 2005, 14:27: Hi northern girl. I'm Colombian and living in Cali. As Colombian I do appreciate your idea of comming to my country to mainly do social work. Wow!. I'm sure both Medellin and Cali need people who help in a lot of social work. Sometimes Colombian press pay more attention to foreigners than colombians, in that way I consider it is better if you come to Colombia associated to any ong. Besides,there are more chances that gruerrilla and Paras would respect yourlife if you are a member a foreigner ong. However if you decide finally come by your own, there are not few places where to stay and work. Send me a PM, I could find more info for you-spanish program,teaching conversational english and decent stay (what aobut a room in a family house?). I love social work too, my idea is to focus family as a central idea. Adela Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

jwcronin says on Oct 14, 2005, 13:34: Short term stay in Colombia Dear Northerngirl. I have just written a long response to your comments about traveling to Colombia...but the response did NOT go through!!! Please write to me, at jwcronin at hotmail.com or to my wife to marcejija at hotmail.com. We are in MEDELLIN. We have a room for renting to stay in a good family and in a family residential suburb. Please write us. Jack Jack Cronin 0 funny, 0 helpful.

northerngirl says on Oct 15, 2005, 06:40: Thanks Hi. Thanks for your comments. I am hoping to start my trip sometime betweeen January-April 2007. I know it is a long way ahead, but I need to put together a good case for my time off work, work my butt off on overtime for savings, and develop my Spanish skills. I am alos developing my fitness and hopefully will do an introductory TEFL course, though I am not really looking to go as a serious professional. I will contact people by PM. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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