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Colombia


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Country Overview
All that seems to get reported about Colombia in American papers is negative: violence, drug trafficking, and guerrilla attacks. This is hardly a complete picture of this rich and beautiful country.

Colombia is the fourth most populous country in South America. Its population of 36.2 million lives in a varied area of rainforest, mountains, and lowlands. The capital of Bogota has 5 million residents.

Colombia is a republic. Its government consists of executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The president is elected every four years and cannot serve more than one term. The most popular political parties are the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the National Salvation Movement, and the New Democratic Force.

The temperature of Colombia varies little throughout the year due to its proximity to the equator. Temperature does vary by altitude and Colombia has great variety of that. Seasons tend to be divided into wet and dry.

The official language of Colombia is Spanish and everyone speaks it, except for a few remote tribes. About 75 indigenous languages are still used. English is part of the curriculum, but it remains little known and spoken.

The political relationship between Colombia and the United States has been problematic due to the drug problem. The governments are working together to develop policies and to put an end to the dangerous trade.

Nonetheless, the two countries are strongly tied economically. Colombia's chief exports are coffee, gold, bananas, flowers, sugar, emeralds, and textiles. The U.S. is a major recipient of these products, as well as a supplier of goods for Colombian consumption. Colombians buy these goods with Colombian Pesos.

Colombians have made the news in a positive way through their stellar accomplishments. Commonly- known names include soccer player el Pibe, scientist Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, painter Fernando Botero, and author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Most Americans are also familiar with the face of Juan Valdez smiling at them on coffee cans and in advertisements.

Colombia is blessed with a large variety of good foods. Fruit is plentiful and included in every meal as a juice, dessert, or salad. A typical breakfast consists of coffee, bread, juice, and (sometimes) eggs. Lunch is the main meal of the day. Colombians generally have soup, rice, potatoes, chicken, fish or meat, salad, and juice. A smaller dinner consists of a sandwich, hamburger, or other small meal.

Each region has its specialties. Bogota offers 'Ajiaco Santafereno,' a soup made of potatoes and chicken. 'Lechona' is a whole suckling pig, spit-roasted and stuffed with rice. If your student is from Tolima, he or she will know this dish well. Whether you will take on trying to prepare it is another story.

School
The Colombian school system is very rigorous. Students work hard if they want to succeed.

The grading system has recently changed from a system based on a numerical scale to a lettered system. Students are now graded based on whether they satisfactorily complete required coursework for the year. If they pass, they get an E for excellent or a B for good. An I is given if the work is inadequate.

Education is becoming a more important concern. Students generally attend seven or eight years of elementary school and then six of secondary school. This is the most true for upper and middle class students, however. Poor students typically do not complete their education. The number of rural schools is growing so this trend may be changing.

Many schools are private, and girls and boys often attend separate schools. Secondary and vocational schools are located primarily in the major cities. The literacy rate is about 80%.

Class size is 40 to 50 students. Unlike American students, Colombian students cannot choose their courses. The school day is 7 to 8 hours. Students then study for a couple of hours at home.

Continuing at the university is very expensive so the option is available only to the privileged. Most university students come from the upper and middle classes. Middle class students also opt to study technical careers in vocational programs. The majority of Colombians are middle class or poor.

Teenagers
Teenagers in Colombia enjoy many of the same activities as American teens. They go dancing, hang out, go to concerts, watch films, dine out, and attend sporting events. Popular sports include soccer (of course your student will know it as 'futbol'), skating, volleyball, and cycling.

They dress casually, but like to wear clothes by famous name designers. They are fashion conscious.

Teenagers begin to date when they are 14 or 15 years old. Parents like teens to spend time at their houses so they get to know their children's friends.

Teenagers go to parties, discos, video bars, and mini-TK (you'll have to ask your student what that is).

Interaction between sexes is restricted. This is starting to change, however, as parents begin to accept friendships between students of different sexes.

Sex, AIDS, and birth control are all discussed in the schools. Colombia is a conservative country so these topics are not usually discussed openly.

Curfew is usually about 7:00 p.m. on weeknights and 1:00-4:00 a.m. on weekends.

The legal drinking age is 18, but teenagers usually start drinking at parties when they are about 16.

Community
Colombians tend to watch 2-3 hours of television per day. The most popular programs are American TV shows, which can lead to some misconceptions about what a ëtypical' American family is like.

Typical business hours are 8-5 or 9-6.

Public transportation is not very good. Traffic is a problem and buses are very crowded. About 70% of people use it. Few students have their own cars.

The government is working to promote recycling. You can instruct your student on the recycling procedures in your area.

The Family
The family is very important in Colombian society. Most families have two or three children.

In Bogota, 96% of families have both parents working. The rest of the cities have a lower percentage and most women stay at home.

Because Colombia is a strongly Catholic country, divorce is not allowed. Couples separate instead. Younger generations are more open-minded about separation than older generations. About 35 of couples are separated.

Traditionally, children have lived at home until they marry. This is starting to change as young people want to experience living on their own or with a partner before marriage.

Nearly all upper and middle class Colombian families have maids to help with the housework. Often maids have weekends off so the family does know how to cook and clean. Your student should be accustomed to performing certain household chores.

Customs
Colombians consider themselves to be very warm and expressive. When they meet, they shake hands and greet each other warmly. If they already know each other, they may give a kiss on the cheek.

Good manners are extremely important for Colombians.

Roman Catholicism is the state religion, and about 95% of the population belong to the Church. Religious freedom is, however, protected by the Constitution.

In their free time, Colombians enjoy going to parks, movies, discos, and friend's houses.

They also enjoy many festivals and carnivals throughout the year. These include the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros, Semana Santa (held during Holy Week), and Feria de las Flores.

The Colombian culture reflects the intermixing of Indian, Spanish, and African traditions. This fusion is seen in their crafts, folklore, music, and sculpture. Music incorporates the African rhythms of the Caribbean, Cuban salsa, and Spanish-influenced Andean music.

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