Well I managed to stay out of a university for a little less than three years before reverting back to default. Turns out I like academics. I am now officially enrolled at la Unversidad Catolica de Manizales (UCM).

I have two profesoras, Vanessa (Vani) and Diana, who are both wonderful. The goal is to have me sounding at least slightly less like a gringo in the next month. I am constantly struck by how warm and outgoing everyone has been since my arrival. One teacher (in the first class) explained that she is from about 45 minutes away and she and her boyfriend would love to take me to go see their hometown. The other immediately offered to put me in touch with a running group once it became clear that I’m rather partial to the sport. We’re all going to visit a Cathedral tomorrow and the aforementioned boyfriend is going to drive us all.

I’m the sole student in each of my classes, which has been pretty awesome. My professors’ passions for teaching as well as Colombia have both been evident. They each independently showed me this music video, which I’ve had on repeat and is liable to cause the Columbia to Colombia experience to become a more permanent affair: