Trip Dates: June 8th - July 6th
Credits:
Undergraduate: 6 credits (CONF 385 & CONF 399)
Graduate: 6 credits (CONF 694 or CONF 694/695)
Cost of Trip: Approximately $4,450*.
*Includes 6 credits, lodging, in-country transportation, and most meals. Additional students costs include airfare and some meals.
Lodging: Housing in Colombia will be at the Viaggio Hotel and in the community of Soacha at the Pastoral Social house. Please follow the link to Viaggio Urbano. Students will be staying in double rooms.
Transportation: Most in-country transportation will be arranged by Javeriana University; students may also be traveling on buses, in taxis, or via the TransMilenio.
Meals: When in Bogotá, breakfast will be offered daily at the Viaggio Hotel. Students will also have refrigerators and microwaves in their hotel rooms and are responsible for their own lunches and dinners. When in Soacha, all meals will be provided by the host organization, Pastoral Social.
Safety and Security:
- All participants will be covered under the international travel insurance provided by T.W. Lord.
- All participants will be registered with the State Department's S.T.E.P. (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
- Embassy Contact Information:
- Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. Colombia
- Telephone: (571) 315-1566
- Emergency After Hours Telephone: (571) 315-0811
- All participants will be asked to abide by the Ethical Code of Conduct for Faculty and Students, and the Rights and Responsibilities of Participants in the Colombia Service Learning Intensive course.
The United States State Department has continued a travel warning for Colombia that indicates security has improved significantly in recent years particularly in Cartegena and Bogota, although the violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and large cities. U.S. embassy staff concur that Bogota is a fairly safe location, and advise that students and faculty be aware of the typical criminal activity found in most cities. It is also advised that group members travel with others, and for students to take special care if going to nightclubs and/or similar establishments.
Instructors and students working with the Colombia Service Learning Intensive will be conducting their work in Bogota and Soacha. All participants will review and follow the guidelines for safety and security laid out by the U.S. State Department. The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) is aware of the concerns common to countries emerging from civil conflict and to issues particular to Colombia. To address these concerns, instructors, and students will exercise due caution throughout the SLI paying special attention to communication medical access and requirements, and evacuation planning.
Passports: Required At Time of Departure
U.S. students should visit the Department of State website for information passport application information, prices, and time of delivery. International students should visit their home country embassy or passport websites for travel information.
The following steps from Diversity Abroad may also be helpful:
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months. If it has already expired, look up your county's embassy and find out the cost and timeline to renew the passport.
- Know all of the restrictions associated with your U.S. student visa. Does your visa allow you to enter and leave the U.S. freely? Will you still be 'enrolled' in your home institution if you go abroad?
- Check the visa requirements for students for your home country to get a student visa from the country you're going to study abroad in.
- Be sure to check with your study abroad advisor for further details.
Please visit the U.S State Department web page about the Country Specific Information: Colombia
Visas:
Visas are not required for US citizens traveling to Colombia on tourist visas.
For students who are not US citizens, please contact your embassy to verify what, if any visa, you require. We urge you to start this process well before the departure date of the trip as processing can sometimes require a great deal of time.
Please visit the Colombian Embassy in D.C. to confirm the required procedures.
Immunizations:
All participants should have the requisite vaccinations and medications as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and your doctor.
The MD Travel Health - Colombia website also has very useful information regarding suggested immunizations, medicines, and medical care in Colombia.
Colombia is an equatorial country and there are no seasons. In general, Bogotá has a mild climate. However, the temperature can oscillate between 33 F and 66 F, in only one day! It is recommended that you wear layers and be aware that it might be sunny, rainy or cold all in the same day.
The secret of being a good traveler is to take as little as possible and yet have everything you need. The general rule in determining what you need is to lay out what you think you will have to take and leave half of it at home. The vacant space in your luggage will soon be filled with the treasures you come across during your travels. Don’t load yourself down.
Consider both the physical and social climate; dress accordingly. Take drip-dry, no-iron clothes. Comfort and practicality are the keys for both clothing and shoes. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space. Use plastic bags to organize (you can later use the bags to separate damp items from dry, or dirty clothes from clean). Don’t overstock on toiletries; most things are available in major cities abroad.
Identify the type of luggage best suited to your needs (suitcase? back pack? carry-on/day pack?). Clearly identify your luggage inside (name & permanent address) and out (name & address of destination). Ask your airline whether you should lock your luggage before checking it at the airport.
Check your airline’s website for the most recent regulations on luggage weight, size, and number of pieces. In your carry-on, keep one change of clothes, toiletries, identification (passport, visas, ID card, etc.), and any medication. Pack everything up; carry it around for a while by yourself (up and down the stairs, around the house). Then unpack, eliminate the nonessentials, repack, and try it again.
Clothing styles differ all over the world, so there is no way to generalize what one should or should not wear. Research clothing styles ahead of time, blend in, and above all else, respect the customs of your host country.
Dress is casual but professional. Leave your holey jeans and ripped t-shirts at home. Clothes should be hand washable and dry quickly.
Bring:
1. Shirts – multiple t-shirts/shirts with sleeves; at least one long-sleeve shirt (no tank tops or spaghetti straps)
2. Pants – khakis or jeans
3. Skirts – knee-length or below for women
4. One business outfit – (tie/sport coat for men, dress shoes, etc.)
5. Underwear, socks, sleepwear
6. Light-weight sweaters
7. Raincoat
8. Closed-toed boots/shoes or sneakers.
9. Rain Boots (Soacha can be very muddy after the rains)
Recommended Items:
· $300 additional funds for personal use
· Digital camera with significant chip storage
· Battery operated alarm
· Small journal for daily entries / pencil or pen
· Locks (padlocks for bags, backpack)
· Small umbrella (for both rain and sun protection)
Leave at home:
· Entire contents of your wallet, multiple credit cards, other plastic
· Valuables or sentimental objects
· Perfumes, dressy clothes, etc.
· Hair dryers, other electric items
· Knives of any length, or cutting instruments of ANY kind (metallic or non-metallic) including carpet knives, box cutters and folding or retractable blades regardless of length, ice picks, straight razors (safety/disposable razors ARE allowed), and elongated scissors.
· Recreational drugs.