fccestmoi

[fccestmoi]

These pictures were taken in the Botero Museum in Bogota. This museum has Fernando Botero’s work but also work of other painters such as Pablo Picasso. Picasso is my favorite painter so I had to include the second picture. The work is called “Mujer con sombrero” and was made in 1943. 🌫

[fccestmoi]

We went to Monserrate, which is a famous hill in Bogota. There is a church at the top. The view from the top is amazing. We had dinner at a restaurant called San Isidro that night (also located at the hill). 

[fccestmoi]

Farewell dinner at Andres. The guy in the picture above was very funny. Had a great time. 

[fccestmoi]

The first picture is Plaza Bolivar in Bogota. The other 2 pictures are of streets near it. Very beautiful plaza. 💕 

[fccestmoi]

These pictures were taken when Marquette students were allowed to go buy souvenirs and explore near the hotel. Had to take a picture of the Bogota sign.  

[fccestmoi]

This picture was taken after our presentation to Kilo Alimentos with our recommendations. I was moved by how thankful Catalina was with our help. We also bought cheese to bring back to the U.S. Very good cheese! 🧀 

[fccestmoi]

This was the first time CESA students and Marquette students were together. We were pitched ideas from the CESA Entrepreneurship class. We gave them feedback on what we believed was good and what can be improved. It was a fun time. The CESA buildings are also very nice with amazing views. 

[fccestmoi]

Visit to the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. Here, we had a lecture on the importance of coffee in Colombia and we also had a tasting session. Something that was fun was that we were showed how the same coffee can taste different depending on the type of equipment you press it with. We ended our visit with buying coffee (Juan Valdez). 

[fccestmoi]

Marquette University AGBL Colombia students at Gaira Café Cumbia House. This was on the day that we arrived. Easily one of the best times I spent in Colombia. Great food and drinks. Live music was great too. 

[fccestmoi]

These pictures are from the flower farm we visited called Macuira. The people at Macuira walked us through the production process and showed us the different color of roses they produce and sell. Flower exportation (expecially the rose production) is very important for the Colombian economy. 

[fccestmoi]

What has the AGBL experience meant to your understanding of being the difference?

To me, being the difference is being who you truly are. It is having integrity. Having the will to be help others. Being kind and respectful to everyone. This AGBL experience has amplified this meaning. It has made me realize these things are important also in a global scope. I believe that for this trip we were able to be the difference for Sergio and Catalina from Kilo Alimentos. Helping them made me realize that being the difference can simply be just hearing others and helping them with problems they are challenged with. When we went to Sotaquira to meet them and actually take in the whole process of how they make their cheese, we proved that we were not there to just “get credit”. We were there to make a positive change for their company and I truly believe we have accomplished that. 

[fccestmoi]

How have your experiences of being an involved citizen during your service learning impacted you and who you hope to be someday?

During my service learning, I learned a lot about myself. I learned that my bilingual skill is very useful. Being able to have a deeper connection with the Colombian citizens gave me a sense of happiness. Likewise, I have gain an appreciation for other cultures and have the determination to visit as many countries as I can during my lifetime because this trip made me realize how little of the world I have seen. This experience impacted me by giving me a sense of what I want to have: an open mind and heart. Every day, I reflected on the new experiences and my future. I am determined to work abroad with a company that has the same ideals as I do. I hope to give back someday in the near future to first generation minority students so that they are able to have the opportunities I have had and enjoy life changing trips like AGBL was to me. 

[fccestmoi]

What feelings come up when asked ‘how can you change the world’?

Optimism with a sense of nervousness. Everyone wishes to change the world. At least I hope. It is something that is greatly needed and is very difficult to do so. I like to think that if you are determined to do something, you can do anything. I always try to look at the best of everything and do believe that I have a passion to make the world a better place. After this AGBL trip, I have found a sense of purpose in that I want to work abroad for a few years helping those who are underrepresented. I believe that action is more powerful than words. When you take action, you make a change. When you make a change, you change the world. 

[fccestmoi]

Who changes the world?  Do you have to have money, power, or a position in government in order to change the world?

The people who change the world are those who have open hearts and have the will to be the difference. These are the people who do not conform to societal expectations or go with the roll. One does not necessarily have to have money, power, or a position in government in order to change the world. You can start to change the world by changing an individual’s world. This can be by helping someone become the best versions of themselves, root for them, pick them up when they are down. You start to change the world one person at a time. 

This is one of my favorite quotes: “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” - Margaret Mead

[fccestmoi]

How does involved citizenship change the world?

Involved citizenship changes the world by making people more self-aware and respectful of the differences and similarities we all have. You realize that you are just a tiny piece of the whole world and that you can learn a lot about other cultures and its people. By being an involved citizen, you allow yourself the ability to gain social knowledge by interacting with people you never thought you’d interact with. By doing this, you are less likely to have prejudices, hence changing the world, a person at a time.