lili has left 16 comments

lili comments on Tijuana, Mexico vs Medellin (How Long Ago?) = Same?

Well, being a native from TJ and having lived in Medellin for the past three years (although not precisely during the most "dangerous" years in Medellin, but having talked to a lot of colombians) I feel as if the kind of violence one experiences in TJ is very particular. A while ago we all knew that the ones who ended up dead where drug dealers but now this is not so. It is widespread. Drug dealers in TJ "diversify their portfolios" by kidnapping people for ransom and then not returning them to their families, but still demanding the ransom or else they'll go after the rest of the family; something which I have been told drug lords didn't do in Medellin. Also I believe one of the biggest fears in Medellin was bombs, which is not so in TJ. I would venture to guess that being kidnapped or trapped in random cross fire while going to work or school would be the biggest fears in TJ at the moment since (as it has happened) anyone at any moment could be a victim of either one,

lili comments on Where can I use a Sauna/Turco in Laureles?

Ohh, I forgot to add that you don't need to use the gym. According to what they told me a couple weeks ago, you can pay for whatever you'll be using.

lili comments on Where can I use a Sauna/Turco in Laureles?

Well, not exactly laureles, but not that far either. I know of a gym called "dinamic" (yes, with an i ) a few blocks from the floresta metro station They have both, sauna and turco and have different plans depending on what you're interested and how much you'll visit the gym.

lili comments on Best American Candy To Take....

How about red vines, lemonheads or jelly-belly jelly beans? I've never seen those in Colombia.

lili comments on Echoes of Colombia in Mexico drug war

It's so sad to see my country go down that path, especially after being here in Colombia for some time and learning how painful it's been for colombians to live through all that violence. It is especially sad because in Mexico all you know is that whatever happens to you there's no authority there to effectively protect you or your family. I know, my family has been through that already.

lili comments on Going to school while on TC visa?

Adrienne, the contract's expiration date is not a problem as to being legally allowed to work, as long as the visa is valid. Actually, I don't know why they put it there anyway. Regarding your question about being able to study I believe you can. I worked and studied full-time with a TC visa, so from my experience, I didn't need to do anything in particular. I just enrolled like any other student. The only additional thing the school asked for was a copy of my passport and visa and that was it.

lili comments on Going to school while on TC visa?

Yes, I know for a fact you can work and study on a TC visa (I've been doing it for the last three years). Apart from a valid visa, your visa will need to state your workplace and the expiration date of your current contract. Everytime you change jobs you're supposed to correct that on your visa. Just beware that if you are going to any professional field you will be required to validate your diplomas and after that, get a "matricula profesional". Last time I was denied a visa because I did not have it and had to return the next day with it. To back it up you can check "resolución 0255 de 2005". This is the link: http://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=16035

lili comments on How to? Cedula de Extranjeria in Medellin

Thanks for all the answers! I actually already have employment, so my visa will say so. My problem is that I can't sign the contract and get paid until I have my "cedula de extranjeria" and I'm worried about having to wait another month or so for it since the DAS in Medellin does not have any earlier appointments. I know that my employer will accept some kind of document that states I have an appointment, but I don't know if DAS will issue it.

lili comments on Certificado de Antecedentes Judiciales?

Thank you I appreciate your help.

lili comments on Search: Apt, La Universidad De Antioquia

You could also consider renting a room. I´ve seen a lot of ads around campus at UdeA (I´m actually spending a semester here) and it seems to be cheaper than renting an apartment if money is an issue. If not you can find apartments in good neighborhoods for about 200 dollars a month plus utilities.

Another thing to consider is the student strikes. Last semester there was one for about a month and a half and you end up wasting a lot of time because of them.

Anyway, check out the univerity´s website: www.udea.edu.co

lili comments on

I agree, stay away from the short fat lady at DAS in Medellin.

lili comments on Work Visa Requirements

Well, what I did was to ask my mom back in the U.S. to request an official transcript at my university and then get the apostille. After that she mailed it to me and I got it translated here in Colombia. But you should make sure if you really need a transcript or just your diploma, either way you´ll need the apostille and then the translation.

By the way, I found that official translators in Bogota charge half the price than translators in Medellin, just so you know if you need one.

lili comments on Work Visa Requirements

Actually you don´t have to fly back if you can get someone to do it for you (like a friend or relative) you would just have to mail the original document to that person and they should be able to do it.

Also, I would say you don´t need a colombian cedula is a requirement for the visa, your passport should be enough as an i.d. unless you´ve previously been issued a cedula

lili comments on Work Visa Requirements

I just got my visa yesterday and from my experience I´ll say you really need to get an apostille, this has to be done in the country where your diploma was issued (that´s what I had to do). I also had to get my degree validated ("convalidacion") in Colombia and for that I had to get all my documents translated into spanish by an official translator authorized by the colombian government.

I don´t know if everybody needs to do the same but that´s just my experience

lili comments on Does someone know when DAS started charging for visa extensions again?

Thanks!

lili comments on First time in Medellin... Need help!

Thank you for your replies! I'm so relieved now. Jaramillo, I sure will enjoy being in Medellin! I've been waiting to go there for almost two years now!