Welcome to Cali
Understanding identity abroad is important—regardless of whether or not you think it will play a role in your own experience. While we strive to create and maintain programs that support students of all races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, you also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for your peers navigating aspects of their identit(ies) in a new country. The information and resources on this page serve as a starting point to help you understand experiences you or your CET classmates may encounter while abroad.
Cultural Climate
Race & Ethnicity
Though Cali has the largest Black population in Colombia, the city is still in the process of improving political representation and inclusion of Black and Indigenous peoples. Anti-discrimination laws (Law 1482) have been in place since 2011 to grant legal protection to individuals from discrimination on the basis of race, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, religion, political ideology, or ethnic and cultural origin. Since 2019, Cali has had an anti-racist public policy campaign called “CaliAfro.” Additionally, there are spaces and support groups in Cali for people of diverse ethnic groups.
LGBTQ+
Cali is considered to be a liberal city. The cultural climate is LGBTQ+ friendly, and there are social and cultural activities organized by the city for the LGBTQ+ community.
Gender
Discussions around gender identity and gender nonconformity are slowly increasing in Cali. There are more safe spaces within CET Colombia’s host institution where students can find support. CET Colombia interacts with community organizations, ballroom culture in Cali, and Voguea en el Aleteo in Cartagena.
Religion
The constitution and the government are secular, and anyone can practice any faith. There is no overt discrimination toward religious groups. That said, most people are Christian and there is little knowledge of other religions such as Judaism. To our knowledge, there are four mosques in Cali. Within Colombia, Cali has the highest presence of Muslims after Bogota and Medellin. Religious students can expect to practice their faiths while abroad in Colombia.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is typically lower in Colombia compared to in the United States. However, this depends on how students choose to navigate the city and their lifestyles. Student housing, CET offices, and the host university are located in Cali’s Pance neighborhood, an estrato 6 area that is more expensive than other parts of the city. Given potential preferences for entertainment, eating out at international restaurant chains, food delivery, and Uber use, costs can add up as these are seen as luxuries in Colombia and tend to be more expensive.
That said, there are many things in Cali that are cheaper compared to in the United States. In the city, a basic Colombian lunch usually costs 7 to 10 USD. A 20 USD taxi or Uber ride in the US would average about 10 USD in Colombia. Bus rides are about 1.50 USD. Groceries for one person a month can cost between 150 to 200 USD, with fresh fruits and vegetables costing about a dollar per pound. Past students have mentioned that establishing and adhering to a budget at the beginning of the term was a strategy that helped manage any financial stress. Check out our budget sheet to get an idea of what life in Colombia might look like financially.
Accommodations Abroad
CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to those of your home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit. We recommend that you use the following details to inform your decisions and conversations with your Student Services Coordinator.
ACCESS in ACADEMICS
Day-to-Day
Students can expect to attend classes for 3 to 6 hours a day, with typical class sizes ranging between 3 to 10 students. Direct-enroll classes at Icesi University average between 10 to 30 students.
Services available for students with documented need: Low-distraction test environment; extra time on exams; modified deadlines and seating; audio recordings of lectures; syllabi/readings/assignments in advance; a computer to take exams; mobility orientation to campus.
Classrooms
CET classes are held at our program house, Casa CET. Because Casa CET is a three-floor house with stairs, it is not accessible for those using mobility aids. There are four classrooms, three offices, a living room, dining room, full kitchen, a lounge, a terrace, and a small pool. There is no central A/C, but all four classrooms are air-conditioned. Direct-enroll classes are held at Icesi University.
Out-of-Class Activities
CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.
Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability.
ACCESS IN HOUSING
Your Home Abroad
Apartments are located in Cali’s Pance neighborhood, a residential area surrounded by trees, rivers, and nature reserves, as well as many of the city’s universities. The commute from student housing to Casa CET via MIO bus can take 60 minutes, depending on the time of day. A taxi or Uber would take 15 to 20 minutes. CET provides a stipend for local transportation to help offset commute costs. For direct-enroll classes, Icesi University is next door to student housing and easily walkable.
The apartment building can accommodate individuals with limited mobility but is not suitable for those who use a wheelchair full-time. While there are elevators and ramps, the bedrooms and hallways may be too small for comfortable wheelchair use. In addition to CET local roommates, students may also come across other international students who live in the building, though in other units.
Housing Assignments
Apartment configurations vary but can include mixed-gender and same-gender setups. Each student has their own room, and bathrooms are shared per every two students.
Around Cali
Cali has sidewalks, curb cuts, ramps, and elevators/escalators for public transportation. The MIO is a public bus transportation system which covers most of the city. Some students use ride-share apps like Uber or DiDi to navigate the city, though this option is more costly. Very few traffic lights have audible beaconing. Generally speaking, accessibility across the city varies and students with limited mobility, sight, or hearing can expect several places to be inaccessible.
"The on-site program staff were absolutely amazing. They were very attentive to all of our individual needs, but they also showcased their unique personalities and identities in ways that added to the overall program experience whether in class or on our excursions and trips."
Health & Diet
As a part of your program fee, you are enrolled in health insurance for the entire duration of your program. Learn more about our insurance provider and how we operate programs with health and safety in mind.
Health & Medicine
During orientation, on-site staff provide students with basic information and recommendations for seeing a doctor and buying medicine. The main hospital for emergencies and other medical treatments is Fundación Valle del Lili. Fundación Valle del Lili has English-speaking doctors and accepts the health insurance all students are covered by for the duration of the program. There are some prescription medications that are not accessible in Colombia—students should do their research beforehand and ensure they bring their prescription and the necessary amount if in-country refills won’t be possible.
Keeping Fit in Cali
Students can enjoy an active and adventurous lifestyle in Cali, with endless opportunities to explore the city and its natural surroundings. Every Sunday, major streets are closed to traffic for the Ciclovía, creating the perfect space for cycling, running, skating, and many other outdoor activities. Students can hike the iconic Tres Cruces Hill, relax by the river in Pance, or discover countless parks, sports facilities, and nature trails throughout the city. Student housing includes a gym and a swimming pool, and there are also private gyms (30 to 40 USD/month) and yoga studios in the area.
Managing Mental Health
Students have access to a several counseling services covered by the program-provided health insurance. There are in-person and online options, as well as English-speaking and Spanish-speaking counselors. On-site staff are available to make recommendations.
Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarian and vegan students may find it harder to locate accommodating restaurants around town. Students who have special dietary needs may have fewer options when eating out, but have access to a large variety of fresh produce and a kitchen equipped for cooking meals at their apartments. During program travel (e.g., the Traveling Seminar, other excursions), though on-site staff speak with host families and communities beforehand, dietary restrictions may be trickier to manage as it is harder to break the cultural understandings around food in different communities.
Resources from Alumni
BLOG Posts
This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad in Colombia. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from students in Colombia, head to the Student Voices blog.
- The Halfway Point and Why You Should Consider CET Colombia
By Magdalena Poling, Carleton College | CET Colombia, Fall 2025 - Answering Questions about Studying Abroad and Living in Cali, Colombia
By Jasbeth Medrano, University of Texas at San Antonio | CET Colombia, Spring 2025 - Studying Abroad in Colombia: Homemade Meals and Festival Petronio Álvarez
By Jada Jackson, Howard University | CET Colombia, Fall 2024 - Cali, Colombia Eats!
By Karen Garcia-Ramos, Pomona College | CET Colombia, Spring 2024 - Photo Essay: CET Colombia
By Jordan Simmons, Washington University in St. Louis | CET Colombia, Fall 2023 - Photo Essay: CET Colombia
By Maya Martin, Howard University | CET Colombia, Spring 2023 - Impressions of Identity in Colombia
By Amara Payne, George Washington University | CET Colombia, Spring 2022 - To Call Cali Home
By Jermoyah Parkinson, Bowdoin College | CET Colombia, Spring 2022 - Black Girl Abroad: How I Learned to Relinquish my Hold on Forced Identity
By Regine Miller, Howard University | CET Colombia, Spring 2020 - 13 Things I Learned from 6 Months in Colombia
By Audrey Friedline, The George Washington University | CET Colombia, Fall 2019
Perspective pieces
These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad in Colombia could be like for you or your future peers.
- CET Colombia as a Black Queer Woman by Nevaeh Angarita, CET Colombia | Fall 2024
For a “LGBTQIA+ & People of Color in Colombia” - Overall Experience by Anonymous Contributor, CET Colombia | Fall 2023
For a “Student going to Colombia”
Alumni Insight
In final evaluations, we ask students how their identities affected their experience abroad. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations to help you understand what life in Colombia may be like for you or your future peers.
TALK TO ALUMNI
Chat with alumni about their experiences abroad. Once you start an application, your CET Compass account will give you access to the following resources:
- Alumni Support List: A directory of students who have volunteered to chat about their experiences abroad in Cali.
- Identity Abroad Support Network: A group of students who have volunteered to discuss their identity-related experiences in Colombia. This is a volunteer-based program that started in 2019. Volunteers can also opt to have their contact information kept privately by CET staff and only shared when certain lived experiences are asked about.
Don’t see anyone listed for the Identity Abroad Support Network? Call CET for more information and resources. Consider joining after your program to support other minority students abroad.