Starting at bilingual school Lancaster

My first weeks in Cali I had been hoping and praying for a paying JOB- particularly a job teaching English to students somewhere in Cali. Before you knew it, I got connected with the director of a bilingual school called Lancaster (thank Jesus for that). Walking into a school where there was no AC, all classes were held outdoors, the power was going out in mid-conversation, and the school had no internet access because a kid had just HACKED the system, I knew that working here would be QUITE an experience. As I spoke with the director, he told me that they needed me to be the "communication person" who would be sending emails/making phone calls in English. I was soon "officially hired"-although nothing is REALLY OFFICIAL here folks- and the director told me to arrive early Monday to begin.
So I arrive at the school Monday morning and the director looks at me with a STRAIGHT FACE and says WE HAVE A PROBLEM... WE NEED YOUR HELP. I was thinking the power went out again or something along those lines but I was wrong. The director explained that their English teacher had just gotten into a motorcycle accident and they needed me to TEACH all of his classes for 2 weeks until he recovered. This couldn't have come at a more PERFECT TIMING... I had just arrived in Cali looking for an English teaching job, and their English teacher is out for 2 weeks and they need me ASAP. Really?
The very next thing you know I am supposed to teach 2nd, 4th, 9th, and 10th grade English classes. Of course, nothing is official is Colombia so I was teaching a lot more than just English. I could go on and on about my experience with each of the grade levels, but for the sake of giving the BEST example, I will stick to the 2nd graders...So the 2nd graders were adorable when I first walked in to the class with the administrator. With smiling faces, they all got up and sat down at the same time, saying "Good morning teacher" in unison. I felt the love, until the administrator, who was standing right next to me, left the classroom. Then things got kinda crazy. Out of nowhere, these little "angels" started throwing stuff, screaming, and hitting each other. A few girls in the class either started to whine or to cry. Some desks in the class started falling over (which were all kinda old in the first place). I even saw a few kids sneak out of the class, claiming they were "going to the bathroom", but after 15 min gone, I got what they were doing. More than half the time, I couldn't here myself speak. But somehow...somehow... things got a little better over the next couple of days. I could not resist the cute, smiling faces of the kids every morning I arrived at the school. Have a look for yourself (see pic below).

<English teacher, kids, and me.

< Me at the school (note: Colombian flag in back)

Getting connected at Javeriana

Before you knew it, I started my research at La Javeriana. I soon got to know the rest of the group, who were all very friendly. I became the closest with one friend I met in particular, Paula, who was basically a big sister that was always inviting me places and taking/picking me up from the university. She was abs GREAT.

 <My first friend in Cali lol.

Most of my time went either to the research itself or group meetings for the design of the intervention. I really enjoyed my time doing both of these things because they increased my understanding and knowledge about HIV. This was true even when things got COMPLICATED such as in the very first day of research, the building's energy went out twice and I lost my work twice that day. This was my FRIENDY welcome to and from La Javeriana (along with all those wandering peacocks lol).
After the first week at La Javeriana, I decided to branch out and see what type of things I could get involved in at the university. Being a very active person that I am, I wanted to get involved with at least one activity per day. Next thing you know, I was taking classes in: tennis, wood sculpture, jewlery making, photography, and guitar. The best part was that it was all FREE. I knew I wanted to take advantage of my time at the university, and this I DEFINITELY did in going to each of these classes.

< In my jewlery making class

      < Also in jewlery making class 

< In (and with) my guitar class

< In my wood sculpting class

During my second week at La Javeriana, my research director suggested that I attend a class called PUBLIC HEALTH 3 (or Salud Publica 3 if you want to get technical). I agreed that this would be a great experience for me and attended my first class shortly thereafter. As soon as I walked into the class, I realized I was in a class solely for MEDICAL STUDENTS, hence the fact that they were all wearing their SCRUBS. I tried not to let that bother me, even though I was clearly the NEW girl without any scrubs. As I listened into the class, I realized how much I was going to learn about the Colombian healthcare system and about how to formally speak Spanish. Two in one? Not a bad deal.

Starting at Javeriana

When I had the chance to settle in, I had planned to meet my research director, Doctora Marcela Arrivillaga, at La Javeriana university where I would soon begin my investigation. As I walked through the university to meet her, I actually felt I was walking through the AMAZON jungle. But of course this Amazon-like place would not be perfect without all those MOSQUITOS. Not even the first week went by, and I counted at least 60 BITES on both of my legs. I soon had bites on my feet, arms, and hands. Those mosquitos just could not get enough of me. SRATCHING was the name of my game.

Walking through the university, I saw so many green plants and trees of every kind. The plants were along the small STREAMS running through the university. There were small MONKEYS and red SQUIRRELS. I also saw BIRDS and DUCKS of all colors. They gave lots of life to the university. The one bird that gave the most life were definitely the PEACOCKS which roamed around. The peacocks walked as if they owned the university- standing along walkways and in front of doorways. It made me laugh everytime I saw it.

 These are a few of my animal friends around the university:

< Senor peacock >










The university itself was just a pretty as all the scenery that surrounded it. It was so nice to just walk around the university campus on any day during the week. Here are some pictures of the campus:

I soon arrived at the office of the director. I found out that most professors were spoken to on a FIRST NAME basis. So when I arrived to speak with "Marcela", we spoke about the research project and the work that I would be doing. Marcela told me that the research group was designing a pilot study for POOR women infected with HIV in Cali. She explained that we would be specifically designing a WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT intervention based on microfinancing and education strategies for the infected women. I absolutely LOVED this topic and was anxious to start the research and design phase with the group right away. I was soon introduced to the rest of the group (which were all very friendly) and my very own OFFICE. I felt pretty official- my own desk and my own computer.

Getting to know the fam and the city

Over the next couple of days, I got to know the family better. Fabiola (mom), Agustin (dad), and Giselle(daughter), there was an INSTANT connection. They were all very generous and HOSPITABLE with me from the start. They always made sure I had what I needed. They did not hesitate to offer to take/pick me up from wherever I was. I soon accompanied the family everywhere: to church, the movies, supermarket, the mall, tennis/yoga, etc. I also went to their family birthdays, with all cousins, aunts, and uncles present. I never felt out of place as this Colombian family was quite similar to my own. Giselle also practically became my best friend there as she introduced me to her friends and showed me around the city. I was beginning to see and meet the typical Calenos of the city.

< The fam.

As for the city, when I looked out the window, I got a good look of Cali: mountains on both sides of the city, lots of tropical plants and trees, colonial and modern style buildings, and streets filled with motorcycles and a good mix of dark/light skinned people. The weather was ideal here-breezy and nicely warm. I loved the very TROPICAL feel of Cali. I could not wait to see the rest of the city over the weeks.