Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Colombia! If you’re considering volunteering in Colombia, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Colombia and explore Colombia as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Colombia. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Colombia is right for you.
Volunteers in Colombia work with their communities on prioritized projects in Education (leaving in September) and Community Economic Development (leaving in April).
What is the History of Peace Corps Colombia?
The Peace Corps first sent volunteers to Colombia in 1961. This made Colombia one of the first countries to host Peace Corps volunteers. Since then, over 4,500 volunteers have served in Colombia. Some key programs in Colombia have been teaching English, providing health education, promoting environmental protection, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and empowering youth. Colombia has always been one of the top Peace Corps host countries. The partnership between the Peace Corps and Colombia has lasted for over 60 years. It has made a big impact on communities across the country.
What about Colombia as a nation?
Colombia is a country in northwest South America. It has 50 million people, making it the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in South America by population. Colombia has a diverse mix of European, African, and Indigenous cultures. Spanish is the official language.
Colombia has different landscapes like grasslands, mountains, beaches, and rainforests across its land. Its economy depends a lot on exports of natural resources like oil, coal, and coffee. Colombia has a rough history of civil war and drug trafficking. But it has made good progress recently towards peace and economic growth.
Its big cities like Bogotá and Medellín are modernizing quickly. Colombia is known for its literature, music/dance, and delicious food. Tourism is also increasing as visitors come to see Colombia’s natural wonders and colonial architecture. Colombia is working to move past its troubled history and establish itself as a stable, well-off Latin American country.
What languages do they speak in Colombia?
The main language spoken in Colombia is Spanish. Colombia has 50 million Spanish speakers. That makes it the largest Spanish-speaking country in Latin America and the third largest in the world.
Besides Spanish, there are also over 65 indigenous languages spoken by ethnic groups in Colombia. Some of the major indigenous languages include Wayuu, Nasa Yuwe, and Embera. Most of these are declining under the pressure of Spanish.
The Colombian dialect of Spanish has several unique features and local accents. But it is intelligible with standard Latin American Spanish. English is also taught in schools and used in major cities, but is not widely spoken.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Colombia?
In general, 92% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Colombia. And 96% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 4% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to medical reasons and resignation. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Colombia Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Colombia are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Colombia because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Colombia are Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory infections, minor injuries, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. Because malaria is endemic in Colombia, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Colombia can be found in the Colombia Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Colombia?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 91% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 91% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 89% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Colombia Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Colombia volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Colombia. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Edie (English) – 2018-20
- Kyle and Alexandra (CED) – 2016-18
- Andrew (CED) – 2016-18
- Katie (English) – 2013-15
- Ashley (English) – 2013-15
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Colombia, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Colombia with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Colombia?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Colombia?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Colombia
- Projects in Colombia
- Stories from Colombia
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Colombia“, published in 2013. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Colombia. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Colombia is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Colombia, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Colombia.
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