Year of Spanish at Univ. del Norte (Need Input)

jaramillo says on Mar 13, 2006, 04:23:

A school in Bquilla is likely to be laid back. No one (and I mean, NO ONE) uses vosotros from the Rio Grande to Patagonia. Sorry...
Bquilla is messy, chaotic, and friendly. Careful with electronics in the street...The people are basically "creole" like, a caribbean mix with a strong african component. Look for Elmodefoque's posting, three postings above yours. That's Bquilla for you ;).

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 13, 2006, 13:11:

I read the post you mentioned. Wow I guess its going to be a major culture shock for me...So majority of the people are of creole descent thats not unusual i guess. I live 30 minutes from Philadelphia and 90% of the population is african so thats not much of a difference. Though I was hoping to see more of a European look...(like Brazil). Its good that the people I read are friendly I plan to go into the city and meet people for fun.



Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 13, 2006, 13:58:

Racial backgrounds Vary across Colombia. A very large proportion of people in the coastal populations (both coasts) have african heritage, it's definitely a very carribean-type vibe. Inland it varies from city to city, but within that variation you will find people who are naturally fair with light eyes and people who are quite dark, with most people falling somwhere in between caramel and meditteranean. You will also see green eyes (must be the genetics, but they seem more common there than blue eyes), that are paired with deeper colouring and the result is quite striking.

Of course the way people in a region look isn't really going to make that big of a difference, but other things might. While it might not always be immdietly evident each region has it's own vibe/culture/foods, etc.

I know you probably don't have alot of time, but it would be great to do a brief exploratory trip to a few different cities before deciding where you want to go to study. If you have relatives there then grab a cousin and visit a few cities.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 13, 2006, 13:58:

Pardon me I hiccuped.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jaramillo says on Mar 13, 2006, 14:32:

Don't worry Gordon... I do not expect you to frequent some of Elmo's favorite places. He knows that place like the palm of his hand. Anyway, Bquilla has a more civilized side, although it would be a the bottom of my list. But I am a paisa from Medellín. A city like Manizales in the coffee growing region is smaller, safe, has good schoools, plus excellent Spanish. Of course, Elmo would probably hate it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 13, 2006, 16:58:

What is a Paisa? I read both of your posts. So to reply to the first one...What attracts me towards Universidad del Norte more than other universities is location, cause I looked at the colleges offering Spanish and they seemed to be majoritively inland without the coast in sight. I live in Jersey and frequent to the beach often so thats probably why Im set on Barranquilla mostly for location. I have family in Armenia as well but thats inland as well.

Now to get to the second post. What is a paisa? You mention it but I have no idea what the means.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 13, 2006, 18:18:

Paisa Is what all things relating to Antioqueña are called. People are "paisas", food is "comida paisa". It's basically the way around saying "Antioqueñan", which is somewhat double-barrelled.

Ahh yes, and here is where the regionalism ties in, the Paisa region is considered to have a strongish (or at least very vocal) regional identity.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 13, 2006, 19:26:

Okay its a regional thing... Thnx for answering the paisas question. Reading your post also sparked my curiosty towards the word Antioquenan how is that "double barreled" as you say. What is the meaning...Sorry for all my questioning but all things colombian spark my interest.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 13, 2006, 19:58:

"Double-barrelled" Sorry, I didn't intend to sound as if "Antioqueñan" has a double entendre. It is just an expression we use in my part of the world for an awkward and unwieldy word. In retrospect I can see how it might mean something else in other parts of the English-speaking world.

My point is, compared to the 2-syallble "paisa", "Antioqueñana" is an awkward word, so it isn't really used.

Nothing Colombian (sorry!).

PS: Even tho it sounds as if you will be on the coast, this year in Colombia will be a great op to explore other parts of the country, I hope you plan to!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 13, 2006, 20:30:

I plan to... Oh you bet I am! I want to see it all..though I will visit family first then explore. Though I am worried about exploring cause they say once your out of major cities its very dangerous to travel..do u have any tips for that?

I would greatly appreciate any type of input about the Universidad del Norte campus life. So if any of you have been there please inform.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 13, 2006, 21:48:

Unfortunately I only know Baranquilla in passing (from Santa Marta to Cartagena) so I can't give you any tips on the city or the school.

About travel around the rest of the country, that will come. In addition to your new friends, whatever local hostel is in Baranquilla will also be a good resource for budget travel, and be well aware of what areas are ok.

I'd basically suggest that you develop a pool of local people that you trust from a variety of places. 1) Classmates 2) a prof or two who seem nice, 3) the university exchange office 4) your roomates (or whoever you are living with), etc. When you want to go do something rural, run it by them first. If they say it's fine (for a foreigner), then go for it. Of course it'll be alot more fun if a group of you go (and easier for you, esp if your spanish is rusty).

For trips further into Colombia go it alone and stay at a hostel (Platypus in Bogota is *amazing*), then plan daytrips from there. OR hook up with similar-age cousin, buddy, etc and travel with them.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jaramillo says on Mar 14, 2006, 00:10:

That’s right Gordon, Paisas are from the province of Antioquia, and as different from Bquilla costeños as Cajuns are from Massachusetts Yankees. Antioquia used to be larger, but last century its southern part (Caldas) split off and later partitioned into three tiny provinces: Caldas (capital Manizales), Risaralda (Pereira), and Quindio (Armenia). This is the coffee growing region of Colombia. They retain a paisa flavor, especially Caldas. We have no problem saying “Antioqueño” ;).

Remember Barranquilla is not by the shore. It’s sort of like New Orleans, really a river city (The Magdalena as opposed to the Mississippi). If you want to get an idea about the weather go to New Orleans (or better yet, Houston), on a hot summer day. Santa Marta, a bit North of Bquilla is the capital of Magdalena province. It is by the shore, with really nice beaches nearby.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Mar 14, 2006, 00:52:

Observations Barranquilla's north side has developed so much in the last two years, that before the end of the year you'll be able to say that B/Quilla actually does have a beach. The problem is that the Magdalena, like the Mississippi, is muddy and full of debris, and where it empties into El Caribe, the water is horrible and the beaches trashed. Sabanilla is ok, but Puerto Colombia is usually a mess. Jaramillo nailed it about the beaches of Santa Marta.

U del Norte's language programs have a good reputation, not only for the Spanish curriculum, but for English as well. I have a barranquillera friend who learned English there, and she speaks it very well.

As far as where to go and what to do, I would suggest you spend a day with Elmodofoque's nephew Jhon. He has got La Curramba wired.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Mar 14, 2006, 09:37:

I wanna tell my cachaco brothers that I actually do like Medellin, specially the people; they’re very polite and soft spoken. Maybe when I finally grow up, I’ll enjoy a place that’s quiet, clean and very modern like their city, but right now I still need to be surrounded by lots of noise and chaotic mayhem. Don’t get me wrong, many of the things you find in Medellin you will also find in north Barranquilla, that’s why you’ll never see my black ass up there too much. I wish there was someone here from north Barranquilla willing to share life up there, I don’t want people to think that ALL Barranquilla is one crazy noisy hell hole, is not!

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Mar 14, 2006, 11:17:

Mira elmodofoque Si quieres saber mas del norte de Quilla, necesitas quedarse en El Mundo de Cerveza y tienes que olvidar de La Troja.

Then we can read in EL HERALDO the story about the wayúu nueva yorkino that blew his balls off out of sheer freaking boredom.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

seabass says on Mar 14, 2006, 11:49:

I know what you're talking about, bro. My gf lives in norte Barranquilla and she hates Carnivale time because of all the noise and people.
Her idea of a good time is sitting around reading a book or watching those mindless telenovelas while I'm ready to poke my eyeballs out with a dull pencil outta sheer boredom.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Mar 14, 2006, 12:12:

hey seabass, next time you're in Curramba for carnaval, we're gonna show you the real barranquilla. Send the gf to santa marta or cartagena, that's the place most northern barranquilleros head to during the festival. Tell her you'll be en la Troja, maria mulata, che che cole and other clubs down in murillo.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

0 funny, 0 helpful.

seabass says on Mar 14, 2006, 12:40:

You're right Elmo. They all pack up and leave like locusts come Carnaval time. I told her she could rent out that estrato 5 palace and make some pretty decent coin but she wouldn't even consider it.

I'm afraid if I mention going to those places to her she might try to decapitate the little seabass in my trousers. :)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jaramillo says on Mar 14, 2006, 13:09:

You like Medellin Elmo? I was never too crazy about it. That's why I got the hell out. It's not that I worship gringo culture, but it's been OK for me. I'm sure I could like bquilla if someone like you who really knows it well showed it to me. Peace.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 16, 2006, 21:38:

To the Top Just a bump for the chance that someone who went to this university will respond

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 16, 2006, 21:47:

Question about Friendship
Okay I have a general question about friendship. As an (american) international student will the students at the university pretend to be my friend? Will they only hang around me cause they will think I have money...or will they be genuine. Im just asking for generalities if anyone has experienced this going to college in colombia.

Another question say I liked a girl would they be sincere and like me for who I am or just because Im like a ticket into the U.S?

Im sorry for the friendship questions..but it would help give me an idea of what to look out for when I come.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Mar 16, 2006, 22:11:

Depends On how wealthy they percieve you to be. Clothing name-brands factor into that, the tech toys you take factor into that, the price of meals you buy, what your parents do, the car you have back home, how much disposable income you appear to have will factor into how wealthy they may decide you are.

With the currency exchange you obviously have an advantage over the average Colombian, and it would be wise to try to downplay your spending. Dress but don't show too much concern over brands, don't launch into a checklist of your world travels, or when you eat out with others choose meals that are on the lower end of the scale, don't let yourself be stuck with the bill, generally downplay things ie. explain that you as a student have limited income, etc, so saving for this trip has been difficult, that you have still had to pay full tuition to your home uni etc. (if it is an exchange programme).

I don't know if the Baranquilla uni is private or public. If it is private and of the same price-point as places like Javeriana, and UniAndes in Bogota then chances are most of your colleagues will be quite well-off and perhaps not as interested in a free-ride as making a friend they can later visit or having someone to test their english on.

If it is a public uni some may not be as well-off, but by downplaying your spending (and having a strict dutch policy) those that might want a free-ride should get the hint.

Most people will be genuinely interested in meeting you for you, helping you learn more about the country, and also in being able to practise English with you.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 17, 2006, 08:01:

Friendship reply I should be fine then if I stick to the advice you gave me. I wear name brand clothes but I wear the ones without logos (you could only tell if they look at the tag). Im not sure if I want to take my tech toys to school might be too risky anyways. My parents own a buisness...i wont mention it. No problem about choosing low priced food as long as it has beans rice and some meat im good.

I wouldnt be doing an exchange program. I would be paying the universidad del norte price (so thats a lot cheaper). The universidad del norte is a private institution. So I shouldnt worry as much then. Hw much is Javierna and UniAndes in American money. Im not sure maybe Im wrong but I believe Universidad del Norte is like 16 million pesos COL.

Okay awesome I was a little worried but now Im relaxing a bit. Il remember to go Dutch.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jccg says on Mar 17, 2006, 09:14:

If your desicion is Uni-norte is ok... but In general terms, the spanish is better in paisa region (and the accent is soft). When the barranquilla accent is very strong and pronunciation has the ususal caribbean failures. I think, inside Uninorte you can have a pretty acceptable spanish, but when you talk with commun people, it would be pretty different. Good point is: Uninorte has the most beautiful barranquilleras (Source: Universidad del Atlantico students I meet last year). If you want good spanish, the best choise is Medellin (Universidad EAFIT maybe?). But Medellin has not beach. Another point in favor of Medellin is that it is located more or less in the middle of the country, so you are (by land) at less than 20 hours from the most of colombian tourist places. Something else. Driving in Colombia is for "daredevils" in general, but in B/quilla they drive like crayzis.
Good points about b/quilla is the "rumba" enviromemnt! And the people is really friendly

This is just the true!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 17, 2006, 09:56:

Uni-Norte A Major choice in my descision to choose Uni-Norte is location and I have family there. So it would be more of a reassurance to my parents that family is close by..cause the only other family I have is in Armenia. Yeah I hear that the accent is strong...lol I know what its like I live near Philadelphia and we have a minor accent but when me and my friend went north to New York City the other day they have hard accents. Yeah from what I hear Universidad del Norte is very respected so Im not worried about learning Spanish there.

Nice so Universidad del Norte has the best looking barranquilleras. I like the sound of that. lol Yeah I like to jog...Im not sure if it would be wise for me to do that in Barranquilla. Your friend should email me some pictures...of the students that go there.

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Mar 17, 2006, 10:07:

I’m not from el Norte de Barranquilla so I have nothing to gain by telling you, the best looking broads I’ve seen so far in Colombia, by far, are the rich broads del Norte de curramba, but be ready for some stiff competition, those rich barranquillros are good looking modefoques. You wanna see ugly broads and guys, head down south. We is got some real ugly broads.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 17, 2006, 12:24:

Curramba? Do you mean your not from the Northern part of Barranquilla? Whats curramba is that like another city or is that a part of Barranquilla like a section...lol so I take it the south side is not the prettiest of citizens too funny.
Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

angelfire22 says on Mar 17, 2006, 15:15:

ETHNIC GROUPS IN COLOMBIA Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Neocoltrane says on Mar 19, 2006, 19:13:

I was in Barranquilla for carnaval with a girlfriend from santa marta... good times...

As others have said, the northern part of the city is nice and orderly, while the south can be real noisy and sometimes pretty rough. It is a fun place, though.

I did actually stop by uni del norte twice, and its a beautiful school. The girls there are gorgeous. By colombian standards it is very expensive, so most of the people there are quite wealthy: they dress well, act preppy, and seem to be disinterested in politics. This is nothing special about the school, as it is the general behavior of the upper class throughout the country.

In terms of other students, you probably shouldnt worry about them acting like your friends because they think you have money. They also have money. As long as you dont go around buying rounds of drinks for everybody, you`ll be fine.

For partying, there are certainly more discos-per-capita in barranquilla than anywhere else in colombia. Murillo has loads of places, you`ve just got to be a bit careful as it gets later. Other big nightlife centers (more expensive) are on 79th street and 84th street.

People in barranquilla are some of the most friendly in colombia, and you wont have problems meeting people.

Have a good time!
Dan

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Mar 20, 2006, 05:42:

Curramba, is another word to describe Barranquilla. People from Barranquilla are known as curramberos or modefoques that love to party all the time. I still believe that northern curramberas are the best looking broads in all Colombia. I was checking out the cachacas in Medellin, very pretty faces but not much hips and ass. I know my gringo brothers love flat ass women with no hips and big fake hooters, the kind of girls that from behind look just like 12 year old boys. I often question why they like women like that, I hope is not some weird shit; like suppressing their true homosexual desire, but what do I know I used to screw burras, what was that shit about, what was I really suppressing?
When I look at a woman from behind I wanna see a BIG fat ass, lots of hips with a tiny waist and that’s what you see in many wealthy barranquilleras. I went up to check out the broads in Universidad Del Norte and saw plenty of Sofia Vergara s and Shakiras walking around, both curramberas Del Norte.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PUSSY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THAT PUSSY!!!!!!!!!! CAT LOVER

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 20, 2006, 05:50:

Lol Elmo. Its true costeñas have curvaceous bodies.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Mar 21, 2006, 11:08:

Ah Curramba... What does modefoques mean in english? Thnx for clearing up the word curramba by the way. Sofia Vergara never heard of her...i guess il have to google her. If anyone has pics of the "currambas" or just students in general at the Universidad del Norte post em. Id like to see how the students dress in general like style wise.

Dont worry Dan, I wont buy shots for everyone lol. Too be honest I dont drink liquor at all..only wine or champagne for special occasions. So they dont like politics? ah here in states its a pretty big subject area a lot of students like to talk about it. But I wouldnt know much anyways about Colombian politics. Discos? lol hahaha thats too funny Ive never been to a disco only clubs wow that should be fun. What should I watch out for at night at the discos...which ones arent safe

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bibefito21 says on May 3, 2006, 15:31:

about schoool well here it goes i was raised in miami born in quilla but i live here since november and had never lived here before im studying here to become a dentist. Its safe as hell here just depends on where u live and where u hang out. I always try to go out with alot of people and try not to be alone in the day its cool ull never get in any trouble. The night of el garabato i walked home at 3 in the morning drunk like 20 blocks by my self and nothing happened. Well thats not safest thing to do but its just so u see sometimes people talk alot.I dont go to la universidad del norte i go to la san martin girls in la san martin are OK, but la norte has all the beauties. Everytime the bus passes by la norte u see verygood looking girls. DONT i mean DONT worry about meeting people people in barranquilla are so cool and down to earth u wont have anyproblems ive been here since november and i already know half of barranquilla so dont worry about that. As far as the spanish well it is caribbean spanish but its good, just cachachos seeem to exagerate abit, but ive gotten used to it and so has the turkish guy who goes to university with me he even says nojoda eche all of that any more info feel free to contact me.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on May 7, 2006, 21:11:

Bibefito Sorry for the delay Bibefito its finals week at my university here in the states so Ive been a little pressed with time. Did you know Spanish going into Barranquilla? If so is it difficult for you to understand...I have a Colombian friend here at the university I go to and he said it would be much better for me to study Spanish in Bogota (unaccented Spanish).

So universidad del norte has the beauties? Take some pictures next time your riding the bus past the university ;P What is a cachachos? and besides the turkish guy is there more internationals you come across? I would be at ease knowing there is a group of international students How can I contact you? email
Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bibefito21 says on May 9, 2006, 17:49:

what up yeah i knew spanish already, but u should be able to understand the turkish guy and me are the only ones in my university. But La Norte is better known internationally and has alot more people from other parts of the world, germans, britts,canadians americans like u and me etc. If u want email me Raulmb18 at hotmail

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bibefito21 says on May 9, 2006, 17:59:

umm cachacos Cachacos are the people from interior colombia, BOGOTA more precisely in barranquilla there costeños from the coast. The spanish here is abit more carribean since it is on the carribean. I dont think that it will be better in bogota they do speak good spanish but the spanish here isnt bad either its just a different accent, besides like i said if the turkish guy could do it and good why not an american.

0 funny, 0 helpful.