Our goal is to offer every course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in one particular course, please contact us!
CET Colombia study abroad students study race, identity, and ethnicity through the Afro-Colombian lens in Cali—a city with the second largest population of African descent in South America. The program’s curriculum, developed in consultation with Howard University, allows you to examine these dynamics through sociopolitical, economic, artistic, and historical representations of race in Colombia. And with out-of-class learning, local roommates, and direct-enroll classes that put you in a Colombian classroom, you grow your understanding both intellectually and experientially.
All levels of Spanish speakers are welcome at CET Colombia, but your proficiency level determines your curriculum.
Beginning and intermediate-level Spanish speakers take one core course, a Spanish course, one direct-enroll course, and two or three CET electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.
You take this 3-credit course that is taught exclusively for CET students. This course is initially taught in English, but as your language skills improve, your teachers introduce more Spanish instruction.
CA/SOCI 330 Race and Identities: Debates in the Colombian Context
You take this 3-credit elective taught in English at Universidad Autónoma de Occidente
The Colombian Pacific Region: History and Culture
CET converts final grades from the local host universities to US letter grade equivalents.
You take two or three CET electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits. These 3-credit electives are exclusively for CET students in English or Spanish.
Area Studies
CA/CLTR 340 A Social History of Colombian Coffee
CA/GEOG 310 Environmental Conflicts, Territorialities, and Ethnic Groups in Colombia
CA/SOCI 315 Crime & Justice in Colombia
CA/ANTH 330 The Cultures of Afro Descendants in Colombia (taught in Spanish)
Advanced-level Spanish speakers take one core course, at least one direct-enroll elective at UAO, and three or four additional electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.
You take this 3-credit course that is taught exclusively for CET students. This course is taught in a combination of English and Spanish.
CA/SOCI 330 Race and Identities: Debates in the Colombian Context
You take at least one direct-enroll elective at UAO for 3 credits, then choose three or four additional electives to meet the total 15 to 18 recommended credits.
CET Electives
These 3-credit electives are exclusively for CET students in English or Spanish.
Area Studies
CA/CLTR 340 A Social History of Colombian Coffee
CA/GEOG 310 Environmental Conflicts, Territorialities, and Ethnic Groups in Colombia
CA/SOCI 315 Crime & Justice in Colombia
CA/ANTH 330 The Cultures of Afro Descendants in Colombia (taught in Spanish)
These are elective courses taught at one of the program’s host universities, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente. Most classes 3 credits each, taught in Spanish (unless otherwise noted), and offer the opportunity to learn alongside Colombian undergraduates and learn as local students do. To enroll in Spanish-taught courses at UAO, students must have achieved C1/advanced Spanish language proficiency on the CET language placement test. Course offerings differ each semester but past courses have included:
Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAO):
The Colombian Pacific Region: History and Culture (taught in English)
Identities & Culture
Cinema, Memory, & Peace
Social Anthropology of Valle del Cauca
Music & Cultural Identity in Colombia
Public Relations (Organizational)
CET converts final grades from the local host universities to US letter grade equivalents.
Experiential learning in Cali. As a city that celebrates Blackness as one of its defining features, Cali is the perfect home base to explore race, ethnicity, and identity, both in and out of the classroom. Depending on your electives, you could connect food cultures with empire and race at an Afro-Colombian gastronomy workshop, learn the basics of esgrima de machete y bordón (traditional martial art of stick fighting that has become a symbol of resistance), or even host Proudly Afro-Colombian: A Discussion Series by facilitating a public discussion with prominent artists, scientists, or activists.
Spanish language immersion. Get ready to challenge your Spanish skills like never before. Navigate life in a city that speaks English minimally, take a Spanish class, and—for more advanced speakers—study alongside local Colombian undergraduates with direct-enroll coursework at Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (UAO).
Take learning on the road as you spend seven days exploring concepts from your core course in San Basilio de Palenque and Cartagena. You might:
• Learn about the local justice system from La Guardia Cimarrona. Then meet with a doctor of ancestral medicine, and explore traditional healing.
• Attend a music workshop and examine the diverse rhythms of the Caribbean coast while in Cartagena.
• Head to La Boquilla and speak with locals to learn about the negative effects of rapid-growth tourism for livelihoods dependent upon fishing.
• Meet with local social leaders in communities displaced by armed conflict and gentrification.
Day 1: Travel to San Basilio de Palenque. Meet with community members to discuss local history and culture.
Day 2: Learn about the local justice system from La Guardia Cimarrona. Meet with a doctor of ancestral medicine, and explore traditional (natural) medicines. Then participate in a music workshop that examines the diverse rhythms of the Caribbean coast.
Day 3: Hike to the local farming spot and assist a Palenquero farmer for the day. Then in the evening, eat dinner with Palenquera women and hear them talk about their individual projects in the community, their fight against oppression, and their resilience.
Day 4: Travel to Cartagena. Explore the city and then relax on the beach.
Day 5: Head to La Boquilla, a village outside the city with a large Afro-Colombian population. Hear about the negative effects of rapid-growth tourism for livelihoods dependent upon fishing from locals. Learn about Colombia’s biodiversity and the techniques of traditional fishing. Afterward, help cook a delicious meal with the local community.
Day 6: Meet with local social leaders as you visit neighborhoods populated by those displaced by armed conflict and gentrification. Then engage in an intercultural exchange activity with a local school in the neighborhood that helps empower students to stay off the streets through performance arts.
Day 7: Travel back to Cali.
Local Roommates. Want to learn where to find the best manjar blanco (Colombian dulce de leche)? How to navigate the local bus system? Not only does sharing a home with a local roommate give you instant insider’s access to the city, it brings language and local culture out of the classroom and into your home life. Learn more about living with a local roommate.
Eating in Cali. For meals, take your pick of Cali’s many inexpensive eateries. Find your favorite arepa spot or cool off with some cholado, a fresh fruit salad with condensed milk served over shaved ice. Feeling like a home-cooked meal? Grab ingredients at the supermarket and have a night in with your roommates. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Cali.
In a city where the influences of diversity are ever-present, your everyday surroundings will inform your studies and Cali’s active calendar of cultural activities will fill your days. Enjoy a cold champú (refreshing local drink) as you relax in town. Use your Spanish to befriend the barista at your favorite café. Spend the weekend at the mountains or on the beach with your roommate. Go dancing with friends at Calle de la Salsa, a community salsa event at Boulevard del Río. Head to Loma de la Cruz on the weekend to hear live music and see local artisans exhibiting their work.
Around the city. Each term, the program offers different extra-curricular activities that allow you to explore Cali and Colombian culture. Take a salsa class to try your hand at the national pastime. Spend time in the beautiful Farallones mountains. Explore Eje Cafetero, the region famous for producing most of Colombia’s coffee. Or simply kick back and relax with a day at the river. And there’s even more to see on your own.
A Weekend Away. Let us show you another side of Colombia. Spend the weekend in San Cipriano, a nature reserve two hours outside of Cali. Hike a waterfall. Explore the small town. Meet with locals to discuss how tourism impacts their community. On another weekend, explore Buenaventura—home to the country’s most important port and a large Afro-Colombian population. Listen to local students share stories of their community. Learn about ancestral practices from traditional midwives.
Beatriz E. Balanta, PhD
Senior Academic Coordinator
Armando Zuñiga
Senior Resident Coordinator
Andrés Álvarez
Academic Coordinator
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
We cover your transit, housing, and most meals during your Traveling Seminar to Cartagena and Palenque. Don’t forget to bring a camera and your curiosity.
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. Most nationalities (including US citizens) can receive a visa exemption on arrival at the airport, and we’ll help you finalize your status on-site to cover the full program dates.
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
At the end of your term, you’ll receive academic documentation as proof of all you’ve accomplished abroad. Depending on your home institution, you will either get a CET grade report or a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota.
Local Cost of Living. The cost of living in Colombia is considerably more affordable than that of the US. An average cost of living is estimated at 350 USD/month, though this varies depending on how often students eat at restaurants and/or participate in nightlife.
Estimated out-of-pocket expenses:
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
Upload a scan of your passport to your online CET account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.
This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Manager, Student Services
202.846.7662
[email protected]
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.
Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of locally-based faculty that we’re proud to call our peers. These faculty make up our Academic Consultation Board—a select group of local voices and thought leaders that help advise and shape components of the CET Jordan program.
Board members support the program in many ways, including but not limited to: