An Unforgettable Learning Experience! May 14, 2026
By Kat S (Kenyon College) - abroad from 07/21/2025 to 11/28/2025 with
CET Colombia
While abroad, I learned so much both in and outside of the classroom! Although I learned a lot in the classroom, I learned even more on a personal level. I gained new interests, academic and non-academic, through the exposure I had both in and outside of the classroom. Studying abroad with CET Colombia was certainly a very worthwhile experience!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Across the board, the coursework was very interesting and engaging. I especially appreciated the way that so many of the courses build immersive, extra-curricular activities (ie: cooking workshops) into the curriculum! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CET on-site team is incredibly welcoming, caring and attentive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really enjoyed the living arrangements. The apartment complexes themselves are located in a good area, with good options for shopping and food nearby (many in walking distance). CET structures living arrangements so that you live with other students from the program, as well as a local roommate, which was one of my favorite things about the program! All of the local roommates are very kind, friendly and welcoming, and help to make adjusting to life abroad so much easier. Very quickly, your local roommates become your friends! |
| * Food: |
The food in Cali is delicious, affordable and accessible! There are lots of different options available if you're looking to eat out, from fritanga (fried street food) to a bandeja (typical lunch), and more. Also, the program housing provides all of cookware you might need to get by cooking for yourself. Groceries are reasonably priced. There are lots of supermarkets big and small, and if you go further into the city you can also find some great markets with some of the best produce ever! If you're like myself and love vegetables, you'll probably end up having to cook them for yourself because most of the places you might go out to eat aren't going to have the biggest selection (if any). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the local culture, and the structure of the program really supported that. I especially think that having local roommates is a crucial way that the program supported my integration with local culture. Also, Cali in general is a place full of very friendly people. Everybody around you, especially the local roommates, are eager to help you feel welcomed and included, and show you what exactly makes Cali the wonderful city that it is! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have many experiences with healthcare, though I know that it is accessible, especially because of the insurance that CET sets you up with. Unfortunately though I did find it difficult to get connected with a therapist during my time there. Also, you do have to get a Yellow Fever vaccine before arriving. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Cali. While there you need to take the same safety precautions as you would in really any big city. The program administrators and local roommates help prepare you very well to be as safe as possible at all times. Also, having such attentive security guards working at each apartment complex you might live in on the program is very comforting! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I learned so much during my time studying abroad with CET Colombia. Although this might be a cliche, it is true when people say that studying abroad is a life changing experience, and CET Colombia is a prime example. The environment and the structure of the program are so unique (I had a very different study abroad experience from basically all of my friends who studied abroad in different places and with different programs), and that's what makes it so incredible! |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Overall, Cali is very affordable. Food, shopping and transportation are relatively cheap, of course with some exceptions. One great way to save as much as possible is to ask your local roommates where they shop! They will know the places to get the best deals. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Usually between $50-$100 USD per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to make a budget for your spending, and buy groceries as needed to avoid wasting stuff you spent money on because it went bad! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Multiple of the courses offered by the program were taught only in Spanish, and required students to speak in Spanish. Also, on a lot of the course excursions, we were either in environments where Spanish was the only language spoken, or we were required to speak in Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Upper-level college courses in Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Speak in Spanish as much as possible! The more you speak it, the more naturally and comfortably it comes. People don't care if you say something wrong, and are way more likely to support and encourage you to keep using Spanish! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew to bring hiking shoes! There are so many beautiful areas to hike in so close to where you're living. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
