During the college season, students often find themselves contemplating their future academic endeavors. While some opt for the adventure of studying abroad, the majority tend to remain in Colombia.
Nevertheless, a constant debate persists among students: whether to stay in Medellín or pursue their studies in Bogotá. Students who decide to study in Bogotá are inclined to seek diverse experiences beyond their current surroundings.
To begin, opting to study in Bogotá offers students an invaluable opportunity to cultivate independence while remaining within the familiar confines of Colombian culture.
“I think that independence will always be a factor because I’m used to living with my family. I will go there to live alone. So I will have to learn a little bit more independence,” Senior Ana Sofia Correa, preparing to embark on her studies at Los Andes University said.
Correa’s desire to step away from the comfort of familial support inspires her to learn essential life skills such as decision-making, and living alone. Correa identifies that seeking for independence is one of the primary motivations for choosing Bogotá over Medellín as her educational destination.
Bogotá, the closest major city to Medellín, presents an unparalleled opportunity for students to break free from their comfort zones.
“I think coming to Bogota has been one of the best decisions in my life. I now have a big group of new friends. Bogota is full of new experiences, places to meet and it’s nice to come out of your comfort zone and meet new people,” TCS alumni Lucas Thiriez, currently pursuing his college education at CESA said.
Thiriez enjoys living in a different environment that encourages him to meet new people apart from what he already knows in Medellín. Perhaps experiencing something new, he also finds comfort in having his family so close to where he studies, affording him the flexibility to visit them when he wants to.
Seniors at TCS are looking for opportunities close to home, “They have many scholarship opportunities that I want to look into in the future, as well as internships with very fresh and different companies,” Senior Tomas Saldarriga, who will attend CESA (Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración) University said.
CESA has numerous opportunities to collaborate with allied universities and engage in foreign exchange programs. Additionally, Bogotá also demonstrates great college opportunities where students can have access to different options and pursue their future career goals.
“It is a very personalized education where you know most people and it’s a closed circle. I believe this has been great because networking is easy and you get to know a bunch of new people easily,” said Thiriez.
He states how this university accomplished all of his expectations and the many doors that have opened him to new opportunities. After various semesters of study, he is satisfied with the outcomes that have resulted from his experience in Bogotá and his university.
On the other hand, people who stay in Medellín prefer to stay closer to their family and live in the comfort in which they are today.
“I chose to stay mainly because of the comfort of having my whole family here because I consider that EAFIT is a really good university,” Senior Carlota Montoya, who will study at EAFIT said.
According to Montoya, she decided to continue her studies in a more typical environment to carry on her horseback riding career and strengthen her relationships with family and friends. She considers that Medellín can still unlock the same opportunities as if she moved to Bogotá and also because of her personal preferences, she opts for Medellín.
Students who haven’t fully decided on whether to stay in Colombia or abroad to follow their studies have the option of studying in Bogotá. Living and studying apart from Medellin has given them the chance to experience independence, have different opportunities, and step out of their comfort zone, while at the same time having the chance to live close to their family, and near to Colombia’s culture.
