As I write this, I am finishing my last day of classes in Colombia. It is a very strange feeling. I am sad, yet relieved to return to the United States. Study abroad consists of a lot: classes, excursions, and adapting to a different culture. While it is fun, it wears you out. For me, the most difficult part was the lack of independence. I like being able to drive around and make plans for myself, which is difficult on a trip where it’s unsafe to be alone and your plans are in the hands of the professors. To balance out my thirst for independence, a majority of the other students and I traveled to Medellín for a weekend.
Staying in Medellín produced some of my favorite memories in Colombia. We chose to visit Piedra del Peñol and Parque Arví. La Piedra is a very touristy attraction, which involves climbing over 700 steps to the top of a giant rock. Afterwards, we got to see the colorful town Guatapé, and we learned some history on a boat tour. Parque Arví consisted of a ride in the Metrocable, hiking, and seeing Colombia’s biodiversity. As someone who loves nature, these two excursions were refreshing. Yes, my body was exhausted from all the walking (bring good walking shoes when you study abroad!), but it was totally worth it. I felt mentally refreshed in a way that the excursions included in the program had not made me feel.
Overall, if you plan to study abroad, I highly recommend planning an excursion for yourself. It does not have to be a big trip to another city like mine was. You can find something in your host city that piques your interest and try to spend time there. I know when I look back on this experience, some of my fondest memories will be from Medellín.