School here in Colombia is different, to say the least. So far, adjusting to these differences has been the hardest part of my exchange. In the US, school is usually fairly calm and quiet (and we don't have uniforms). Everything is organized and I (almost) always know what is going on. In Colombia, school is the opposite of that. It is extremely loud, I never really know what is going on, and it has a much more disorganized feel. During my first week of school, I didn't think I would be able to handle a year of it. The rowdiness, my lack of understanding- everything was so overwhelming. It was hard to make friends, even though the kids were really welcoming and kind, because, despite the kindness, cultural and linguistic barriers are difficult to break through. And the biggest barrier: the main form of conversation between my classmates here is gossiping. I do not like to gossip. In fact, I don't think I even know how to gossip- it's just not my thing. However, here, it's the only thing. Gossiping, yelling, throwing balls around the classroom, constantly being up in each other's space- that's Colombian school, and it's normal here.
However, yesterday morning, after several weeks of school, I realized something: the school is not going to change. The kids are not going to change, and least of all for me. It's overwhelming and different, yes, and it makes me uncomfortable- but no one ever said exchange would be easy. So, I realized that I could continue being rather miserable and confused at school, or I could change. I could open my mind, I could open myself to this experience and be a part of it, fully and completely, and embrace this discomfort I had been pushing away. This is what I did. I I embraced my classmates, I joined in the noise, the confusion, the ambience of everything, and I discovered something: it's not that bad. Sure it's different and overwhelming, but this is exchange, it's SUPPOSED to be different and overwhelming. School here is just a different way of learning, a different way of growing up. I will do my best to open myself up to these differences. Already, it's getting easier. It is a matter of time and patience, and I am excited to see how this experience will help me to grow and mature. Wish me luck!
School:
