France: Shape Colombia was about discovering my own origins and challenging myself

By Gilles Girodroux-Lavigne - France
Project Coordinator

Colombia is the country where I was born. But as an adopted child, I never knew anything about my origins except “conflict, danger and cocaine”.

One year ago, after my graduation, I took a plane and came here to discover and build my own opinion about Colombia. I left my country (France) without knowing the language, and the real culture, but I had this following plan: “tomorrow I’ll know my daily plan”. It was a scary decision. And I had one reason more: find my biologic family.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

Maybe it sounded crazy for a lot of people. But it was the best choice of my life (Hope I do not change that). So I travelled alone with my French humor during 5 months in different parts of Colombia; I lived with Natives, dancing salsa and drinking “aguardiente” during festivals all over the country: Barranquilla, Cali, Santa Marta. I walked in the desert and swam in hot seas.

About the Project, nobody is totally ready for teaching because there are behaviors and costumes proper to each country. And sincerely this was the most interesting! Exchange with them, all the events in each school, share about points of view... and I had imagination and made myself a clown, in a cool way. 

If there is one reason to join the Project, here it is: work on yourself and beat against your weakness as a close minded. Moreover, don’t be shy at all. You should also take into consideration that each person is different, so it’s better to find your own motivations and goals.

One more advice: be brave. 

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USA: Colombia is a country rich in diversity, generosity and experiences

By Gabe Beadle – USA
Traveler

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”When Mark Twain wrote these iconic words, he may as well have been referring to a visit to Colombia. Colombia is a country rich in diversity, generosity and experience, all of which certainly leave a lasting impact on the willing mind.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

With two beautiful coasts (Pacific & Caribbean), the city of the year (Medellin), desert, snow capped mountains, a sprawling coffee region and adventure sports everyplace you look, Colombia does not fail to amaze with its outdoor activities and picturesque landscapes. However, the real richness of Colombia lies in its people. At times curious and inquisitive while other times eager to share their rich background and history, Colombians are always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. In all my time traveling, I have not met a more open and amicable group. It is in interacting with these people that Shape Colombia has provided me with an incredible opportunity.

I came to Bogota to teach with Shape Colombia in April 2014. While I had met many Colombians while traveling prior, it wasn't until this time that I really got to know and appreciate them for their true value. In my time, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach hundreds of students age 6-18, as well as work with innumerable amazing teachers. The vast majority of my students had never met a “gringo” or any other foreigner before, let alone had one as a teacher. I recall very vividly my first week of class I had a young student write, in permanent marker, “Stay here foreber” on the whiteboard. I knew straight away that I was in a place where I could leave a meaningful, lasting impact (and work on some spelling!).

While working with my students, I did not use a normal classroom approach. The whole idea of the project is to immerse the students in culture, language and interaction while teaching them important life values and concepts. Learning becomes fun, and the students compete, laugh and maybe Ras Tas Tas (Colombian World Cup dance) while doing so.

I had the freedom to develop classes however I saw fit. Creativity is a necessity, it is the means in which the students not only learn and grow, but express themselves in new and exciting ways. We played games, sang and danced all while exploring varied topics such Peace Week, MLK JR Day, Peace and Friendship, soccer (of course), personality and food. My students entered class with a smile and left with a fist bump, gaining a better understanding of culture and language in between.

I would be remiss if I said teaching in a Bogota public school is all hugs and happiness. Of course, with every project, with every task, there are challenges. Supplies can be lacking, students can be temperamental, and Bogota weather can be, uhhh, indecisive. However, the struggles and the challenges are certainly worth the rewards.

This is an amazing time of renovation and social progress in Colombia, peace is on the horizon and heavy investment is being poured into infrastructure, globalization and education. Shape Colombia is an incredible opportunity to positively impact the lives of young students, Colombians who will be empowered to continue the positive change into the future.

Teaching and working with Rolos (Bogotanians) has been an unforgettable experience. It has opened my mind and taught me much about myself. It has been an outlet for creative energy inside the classroom and exploration outside. I would invite anyone who wants to make a sincerely positive impact and who likes to challenge their prejudices and preconceived notions to think about joining Shape Colombia. It is an experience that you will neither forget nor regret.

➨ Apply for Shape Colombia and have a great experience with us as well.

P.S.: The food here is AMAZING.

See more photos: 

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Canadian about Colombia: it is a thriving country full of adventure and excitement

By Scott Lemay – Canada
International Management

Colombia is a thriving country that is full of adventure and excitement. The geography of the country is incredibly diverse with mountains, deserts, oceans, and more to discover. The country is on the rise economically and it is amazing to feel the energy that is pulsing through the capital city of Bogota.

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There is a certain buzz running throughout the country and you can feel the energy and passion of Colombians after 5 minutes of talking to them. People here are willing and enthusiastic to help foreigners out and it’s great to be so welcomed and supported in a foreign country.

This project is a new initiative that is going to have such an important and powerful impact on Colombia. Students have the chance to interact with foreigners in a safe and interactive setting and discover about the world outside their own borders without having to leave.

The multicultural aspect is so beneficial to these public school kids and the teaching is much more innovative than traditional curriculum they encounter. For this reason, kids are more inclined to be interested in the classes. It is not every day you have the chance to directly impact a young student’s future.

➨ Apply for Shape Colombia and have a great experience with us as well.

This experience has opened my eyes to the realities of life in Colombia while allowing me the incredible privilege of having a direct impact on the youth of the nation. 

See more photos:

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Australia: Colombia is a challenge that encourages you to taste difference, broaden skills and make friends

By Anna Kate Bernasconi - Australia
Public Relations

I would recommend Colombia as the country of choice to have an international experience, because it is a country with everything to offer and nothing to lose. It is a country of diversity and culture and the people here are wonderful, kind and accommodating. You experience difference in every city here in Colombia, as each are very distinct particularly in terms of landscape, food, music and the way Spanish is spoken.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

Colombia itself provides a number of work and exchange opportunities for foreigners and is central to other countries – however, there is no need to travel outside of Colombia, because it has EVERYTHING! From mountain ranges, to exotic flora and fauna, to produce that is different, fresh and authentic, to two types of coast (Caribe and Pacifico), to coffee regions, tropical zones, snowy fields, cold areas, countryside and farms.

Colombia is a rapidly developing country, which solidifies why I think more developed countries, especially English speaking ones, really need to establish good relations with them. Also in terms of trade, infrastructure improvement and cultural exchange. Colombia is a challenge that encourages you to taste difference, broaden skills and make great long life friends.

Shape Colombia - Aulas de Inmersión project has been a very positive and rewarding experience for me, and I would definitely take part in it again. I was very fortunate to have such a great school and support teacher, as well as staff and AIESEC team. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to challenge themselves, broaden their skills, develop professionally, have an experience abroad and make great friends and contacts.

The experience with the project was definitely an eye-opener in terms of observing how the public education system works in Colombia, but also experiencing the limitations in resource that the schools have and the way Colombians work in general (societal).

➨ Apply for Shape Colombia and have a great experience with us as well.

The project invites you to take part in everything that the school provides for you. For me this included watching soccer games, performances, guest attractions, open days, parent teacher interviews etc. I even had to teach and then perform a song with some students in front of the school! On that note, you have the opportunity to be creative and provide, for some students and teachers, a once in a life time experience. This includes sharing with them skills that you excel in and planning interesting and interactive lessons (formal and informal, creative, sport and music orientated) to ensure student engagement and motivation.                                                                                                         

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AIESEC United States supports Shape Colombia 2015 and starts a National Campaign

Among the things that make Shape Colombiaa great project are our AIESEC Network and the Partnerships we have. As you’ve probably seen in this video, our work to improve Education in Colombia started thanks to the cooperation we started.

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One of them is with the National Committee of AIESEC in the United States. They launched this Wednesday (14th) a page about our project and the selection process we're running for this semester. The objective is to inform the Exchange Participant from country and give a support to all the Local Committees in the next two weeks.

If you're American and wants to join us, make sure you visit colombia.aiesecus.org

For people from other countries, the mainly way to take part in Shape Colombia is by filling in this form and contacting the committees in their cities/regions. For more details, check all the information we’ve posted in here.

Watch the video from one of our American cooperators from the previous edition of Shape Colombia: 

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