Things I Learned In Colombia

While I was in Colombia, I learned more about myself, the country, and people than I ever thought possible. The skills I gained will stay with me forever and impact the things I do for the rest of my life.

1. I learned how to communicate non verbally. I don’t necessarily recommend going someplace where you don’t speak the language well, but it is an amazing learning experience if you do. One, I did end up learning Spanish fairly well. What they say about being immersed in a language is true, you learn it fast. I’m also really good at charades now. Learning to communicate non verbally instills a certain sense of confidence. I was worried before I went to Colombia about not knowing the language. Now I’m not as worried about not speaking a language.

2. I learned how fulfilling it is to help those who need it most. Working with orphans or the elderly makes you prioritize your life. It helps you make decisions about what you need, versus what you want. It also increases gratitude multiple times over, which is a great thing. Now, being home, I make a point to stop for a few minutes a day and reflect on everything I have and give thanks for it. Colombia taught me just how fortunate I am.

3. I learned that beauty is everywhere. It was most certainly in the nuns and nurses I worked with at the orphanage and elderly home. It was in the markets and streets and faces of the people living in Colombia. Before I went to Colombia I thought I had become desensitized to beauty because I make a point to surround myself with it. For me, beauty is just a given. Colombia taught me that it’s not just in giant mountains and wildlife. It’s in little, everyday things!

4. I learned that it takes nothing away from a person to be kind. It was a little strange when I arrived in Bogota and random people greeted me on the streets. I wondered why they were saying hello to a gringa they did not know. It’s most definitely not like that in my country. I grew accustomed to the greetings and even started to enjoy them and greet people myself. It’s a little gesture, but it has the ability to brighten someone’s day. Along with learning to be kind, I learned that simplicity produces happiness. While working with the old women, their greatest joy was having their nails done. It was a simple act of kindness, but the joy it produced in them was great! We can all learn from that sort of simple joy.

5.I learned to be a more conscious traveler. How are my actions impacting the people? How are my actions impacting the environment? Am I contributing to something worthwhile? Am I doing something to better myself? I learned to start asking myself these questions whenever I did something. My service to others didn’t end when I left the orphanage or elderly home. My actions had a ripple effect wherever I went. I tried to spend my money with local vendors and not at the American chains which have made their way down to Bogota. I tried to walk as much as possible, or take a bus. Colombia is country of extreme natural beauty and I wanted to leave as little a carbon foot print as possible. Being a conscious traveler is something you can learn only by traveling. Leave your comfort zone! This conscious decision making followed me back home and hopefully it’s something that keeps building and I keep making better decisions about how my actions are impacting my surroundings.

These are the top five things I’ve learned in Colombia. I learned many other things, but these five are the ones that had the most impact and will continue to have the most impact.