In June, students of class 2026 participated in a wonderful field trip. Destination: Guajira Region, north of Colombia. The fieldtrip, which has been active since 2014, has a clear goal of exposing students to different environments and living conditions, exploring new cultures and languages, and developing the ability of problem solving.  

The first day, local leaders took a team of 52 students, 5 teachers and 5 staff members to several of the key locations of the region. First start, and first accommodation, was Ranchería DiviDivi, where students were able to submerge in authentic Wayúu living conditions. Culture was the backbone of the visit, students being able to create mud dolls, sleeping in traditional chinchorros (hammocks) and being in close contact with the famous mochilas.  

Water management stands out as a big difference between Bogotá and La Guajira. Students learned about different strategies to obtain clean and drinkable water in the region, which has historically been problematic due to the difficult access indigenous communities have to this vital resource.  “There is water, but too many communities do not have access. In Manaure, for example, there is a very isolated school in which students can’t access water easily.  Showering, also, is very difficult. The system we have in Bogotá is not available there, so it’s easier to use water from buckets to shower. Management of water is not difficult if people know about it, people have learnt to treat water in different ways than in the city” were the words of Julián Valcárcel, one of the students that participated in the fieldtrip.  

We must admit not everything was academic activities. Students had several bonding moments, enjoying the pools, beaches and rivers of the amazing Guajira and Magdalena regions. After polling students, we have a clear winner: Playa Dorada Beach was the one they enjoyed the most.  

Both students and parents had very positive comments on the event, highlighting logistics and safety that students felt along the way. All the learnings and experiences students gathered will be a part of their synthesis project for this year’s third term. The invitation is open for everyone to get a little more information on this beautiful region of Colombia. See you in the third term!