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. 

Read more ...

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: 

Read more ...

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.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

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:

Read more ...

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.                                                                                                         

Read more ...

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.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

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: 

Read more ...

México: Shape Colombia is transforming difficult realities into bright futures through Education

By Miguel Marines - México

Bachelor in Education

For me, Shape Colombia was more than being teacher. It was the opportunity to travel to a magic country, discovering more of myself and meeting wonderful people.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

For some of my students, Immersion Room was the “chevere”moment they had with a Mexican teacher to practice English through videos and games. For other ones, it was the moment they had to be with their friends while being interrupted for an English class. But for most of them, I think it was the space to develop their English Skills, and all of them were very aware of the importance of the second language in their lives.

As long as I was with them, they not only practiced English, but acquired the desire to know more about other cultures, other countries, to grow up and had a bright future. I mean, they saw a Latin American guy working in their country, why wouldn’t they do the same?

I would recommend other people to be a teacher because it is a very satisfying work, in where you can help a lot of people to change their lives. What makes Shape Colombia different from other TN’s is that it is in public schools; which is very good to make a real impact and help people who really need it. Also, it helps to know the reality of our countries and our people.

And I would recommend people to come to Colombia because it is a very wonderful country. Even though I am a Latin American citizen, I discovered a lot of history and interesting facts being in here. Colombia is a country with all types of food, weathers, people and culture. You need to travel to discover a lot of Colombias in one country.

Finally, I'll recommend every single person to work abroad. It helps you to know more about yourself and is an excellent opportunity to meet wonderful people. And, as long as Shape Colombia works with 200 trainees, I'm pretty sure you'll make friends from every corner of the world.

"Transforming difficult realities into bright futures through culture and language" is how I'll summarize this project. Not only your students or co-workers reality, but your own reality.

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

See more photos:

Read more ...

China: and then the childhood dreams came true with Shape Colombia

By Zhao Nuoya (Noah) – China
Bachelor in Psychology

When I was a little boy, I sometimes spent my whole Sunday afternoon reading my favorite atlas. From the atlas I learnt that, in a continent far away from China, there was a country with spectacular jungles and beautiful beaches. People from that country are enthusiastic and passionate and they love a romantic dance called salsa. That country was Colombia.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

When I found the opportunity to work in Shape Colombia Project, I applied for it without any hesitation and the past six months proved that I made one of the best decisions in my life. Colombia captured me with her incredible loveliness. I went to many places that I have been dreaming to visit for many years. My childhood dreams came true.

In addition to the beautiful landscapes of Colombia, the Project itself is also amazing. Working with 200 interns from 45 different nationalities for a better future of Colombian kids is one of the most exciting things I could’ve ever imagined in my life. I met a great number of excellent peers from all over the world and became close friends with many of them. The friendships I established here are the invaluable treasures of my life.

I have decided to stay in Colombia to work in the next Shape Colombia edition. I really believe this project is bringing huge positive impact to Colombian society. I wish you could join us!

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

See more photos:

Read more ...

Brazil: connecting and exchanging our cultures to shape Education in Colombia

By Milson Veloso – Brazil

MBA in Digital Communications

An exchange program is a great opportunity for anyone to impact people’s lives. I think this is what happened to me in the past months, when I decided to come to Bogotá and do this internship with Shape Colombia. Most of the things have been so incredible that I can’t choose one to point out as the best. Of course, as any experience abroad, I’ve also faced some challenges: my Spanish wasn’t that good; my stomach did not always accept all the food I tried; the “cold-rainy-hot-all-seasons” of this city gave me a cold. But it was mostly great and that’s what really matters at the end.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

When I first went to the school and met the kids/teenagers, they looked at me as if I were a superstar – or an Alien. I walked around giving autographs, something really cool. One day a little girl came to me and asked how to say “tie” in the language from my “planet”. I haven’t realized so far how different we were from each other in some cultural aspects, although we are both Latin Americans - yet we we’re also connected somehow. Time went on and I discovered that we also have many similarities: even speaking different languages, for example, we use sayings that are exactly the same in Portuguese, English and Spanish.

Talking about language, the day our classes started I was very scared. Sometimes I thought I wouldn’t be able to talk to them in English, since almost nobody had a good English level for conversation.  I was wrong. When you are in an Exchange Program, communication just happens. Obviously we eventually had troubles or misunderstandings, but for that I had a Colombian Support Teacher in the class to clarify things.

Moreover, everyone at the school made me feel so comfortable that I started feeling at home in there. From the kitchen staff to the coordinators, most of them tried to learn something about Brazil, Portuguese or English. I can surely say that especially the children and I achieved a good level of cultural exchange and improvement – not only related to the languages, the primary task.

When it comes to Colombia, the country is absolutely amazing and the people are very friendly. It is interesting to see how the vegetations and weather change just by traveling two hours from the capital. Colombia mixes cold high mountain landscapes in the Andes region with hot sunny beaches in the Caribbean Sea area. The diversity is in its nature.

If you are looking for an Exchange Program that will broaden your horizons and help you to make a positive impact on society, Shape Colombia is a very good choice. Don´t expect everything to be perfect, because you’ll certainly face challenges as well – be it the language, food, or weather. Come with the willing to change children’s lives and your own, and I guarantee you’ll find the keys for that. I liked it so much that I decided to stay a little bit longer, now working as a National Project Coordinator for AIESEC - MC in Colombia.

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

Watch the video:

Read more ...

Paraguay: more than an Exchange Program, Shape Colombia is knowledge

By Laura Rodríguez Viera - Paraguay
Bachelor of Business Administration

Shape Colombia opened my eyes in so many ways. It connected me more to my personal purpose of impacting the world positively through education, this while living an amazing cultural experience in one of Latin America’s most beautiful and diverse cities.

➨ Keep connected with Shape Colombia on Facebook

After the project was finished I left Bogotá with a handful of great friends that became a family to me, and eager to keep working to change and improve the way we approach education to make the necessary breakthroughs humanity needs in order to face the challenges we have today.

Colombia made my five senses go fully alive. From the beautiful music, colorful landscapes and tasty food, it surely was an experience I will never forget.

I discovered a little bit of what Colombia has to offer visiting some of its most representative cities. Amazing art, music, traditions and kind people is what I found in every place I went to, this together with my passionate and fun friends from different countries.

I finished this experience feeling more understanding, embracing diversity and simply grateful for all the beautiful things the world has to offer us.

Shape Colombia - Aulas de Inmersión - is a project you should join if you are looking to work in a creative and diverse environment, improve your teaching skills, and networking by meeting and working with talented people from all over the world.

If you can relate to the purpose of impacting the world through changes in education, this Project is a great way to start.

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

See more photos:

Read more ...