Written by Magdalena Poling, (Carleton College), Student Correspondent for CET Colombia, Fall 2025
What I Learned
During my study abroad trip in Colombia, I have learned a lot about myself as I have traveled on the emotional rollercoaster of study abroad. Looking back at my first blog post, I can see how much I have learned academically and personally. Before coming to Colombia, I was nervous about the dynamic of coming in as a Colombian adoptee and about communication in the new language. I was scared about not making friends, all the things I would miss from home, and most of all, not making the most out of this opportunity.
Like I said in my first blog post, I had never been this far away from home and my support network. I had never felt like I was alone, as I always had my friends or family by my side. Looking back, there was rarely anything I did by myself consistently, as I consider myself to be an introvert. Growing up, this changed as I grew out of my shell, but whenever I am in new and different situations, I always find myself being incredibly shy. Therefore, deciding to go on this program was a big step for me as I had no idea what I was about to encounter.
But now I can confidently say that I am 100% happy that I chose this program and that I got the opportunity to learn more about my culture, Spanish, and myself. I love Colombia deeply, and this time has been so transformative for me, as I know I will be walking away from this program with a different perspective on the world.
I love Colombia for a variety of reasons, but the biggest reason is that I love myself here. I have grown in terms of learning how to really cook (finally), learning how to step out of my comfort zone, learning how to be more independent by going on solo trips, learning how to look deeper and to see what is truly in front of me and what is also missing, and learning what makes me really happy.
My time in Colombia has made me proud to be from this nation of kind and hard-working people, with a rich and complex culture, history, and beautiful diversity in every sense. Being here has challenged my idea of what it means to be Colombian and what Latin America is like based on the American view. It has challenged my perception of what knowledge is and what peacebuilding and justice look like. It has shown me the impacts of colonialism and tourism. It has ignited a confidence in traveling and learning from others in unique ways. It has shown me how to be independent and mature. I know that all of this is incredibly valuable as I look to make my own impact on the world.
But now, in a little more than 3 weeks, I have to say goodbye to this place that will have been my home for 4 months.
What I Loved
During this trip, I have loved meeting new people, especially as they have pushed me out of my comfort zone. For example, I am so grateful to my friends for pushing me to play soccer again, even though I am very rusty. Playing at Universidad Autonoma de Occidente (UAO) has been so fun, as it gave me the confidence to play again after not playing for a few years after I tore my ACL. I remembered why I loved it so much and what it means to me to be part of a team. I also loved watching Colombia play in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and seeing the energy with which everyone in Colombia watched the games. I am also very excited to watch the América de Cali vs Unión Magdalena, which one of our Colombian roomies helped us get the tickets for next weekend. I will have 3 jerseys by the end of this trip, and I am very happy!
I have loved activities like going to the zoo with friends and seeing a little piece of Colombia’s biodiversity. We got to see so many stunning animals and plants, but our feet did hurt after walking around the zoo because it was enormous. Luckily, after that, we got to go to a lovely river nearby to swim.
I also loved going to La Topa, a salsa club where they teach you how to dance salsa with friends, laughing at myself for my lack of coordination. I have definitely improved my salsa skills, but I am nowhere near the impressive level of Cali’s residents. Salsa is such a fantastic part of Colombia, as you can hear salsa being played in the cars, restaurants, and streets, and everyone knows the words. It is definitely one thing I will miss, especially as I have been learning more about salsa’s history in my classes. I also loved going to the festivals in Cali, like the Festival Internacional de Cine de Cali or the Petróleo Álvarez.
I especially loved the Traveling Seminar to Cartagena and Palenque, which taught me a lot through hands-on experiences. Some of my best memories were in La Boquilla—learning crab fishing in the mangroves, swimming in the ocean, and eating mangoes on the beach. Visiting the Nelson Mandela neighborhood, where people have been displaced by conflict and tourism, showed me the resilience of its children and members. Meeting the students there, watching their performances, and dancing with them is unforgettable.
I will miss speaking Spanish every day and saying hi to everyone as I walk down the streets. I will miss old women calling me, “Mi reina” or “Mi linda”, which makes me feel so precious. My Spanish has improved a great deal, but I think it’s my confidence that I am really proud of, because even though I know it isn’t perfect, I love how I have been able to connect with people and make new friendships through a whole other language. I think that has been really beautiful. I am truly excited for where this experience will take me as I continue to improve my Spanish when I return to Carleton College.
Taking solo trips has been so fun, as several friends from the CET program have encouraged me to explore the city on my own. Before this, I never went to the dining hall alone in college—I always brought a friend. Now, I’ve visited Galeria Alameda, a market with fresh produce and delicious food, where I bought new fruits and tried a Colombian Tamale. The vendor, whom I’ve now visited three times, has introduced me to a variety of fruits. With Lesly, my Colombian roommate’s help, I learned to make fresh lulo and maracuya juice. I’ve also explored museums, like
Museo de la Tertulia, a modern art museum, and many coffee shops to work and enjoy Colombian coffee. Moving forward, I’m excited to do this at home and college, seizing opportunities my adventures provide.
Final Notes
And with that, I hope that my blog has been insightful into what my life in Colombia looks like and that it inspires you to travel abroad. If you are thinking about going on this program, just do it. I promise you will come home with some wonderful memories and a new perspective on life.
I want to give a little shout out to all the people who made this trip so special from friends, to the roomies (especially Lesly and Keller who helped me so much on this trip), to my professors, to Luisa (our resident director), all the people that welcomed me—and most importantly my loved ones from home for supporting me on this life changing trip.
Chao, Colombia. Te quiero mucho (I love you very much). ❤