Making Friends in Colombia

Students from around the world are choosing Manitoba as their preferred location to spend an academic program. Whether it be for a month or a full school year, they are excited about the calibre of education they are receiving and the friends they are making. The bonds they are forming with their homestay families and classmates are creating friendships that reach across miles and borders.

Study Manitoba is partnering with Colegio Nueva Inglaterra (New England School) in Bogota for an upcoming study tour. The New England School was founded in 1974 and has an enrolment of 1300 from Kindergarten to grade 11. The academic focus is English and student values.

Extra-curricular activities at the New England School include swimming and riding. They have several sports teams including soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis and skating.

Students, aged 13 to 17, taking part in this upcoming study tour will be placed in various communities around Southwestern Manitoba. They will attend regular classes and take part in extra-curricular activities during the school day and spend time with homestay families after school and on weekends.

Some fast facts on Colombia:

• In 2006, Lonely Planet picked Colombia as one of their top ten world destinations
• Found on the North Western coast of South America, Colombia has a population of over 46 million people
• It has the 3rd largest Spanish-speaking population in the world
• The capital, Bogota has a population of over 8 million
• Today’s Colombia is an ethnically diverse mosaic of many cultures.
• Geographically varied, the country is comprised of the Andres mountains, where you will find most urban centers, the Amazon rainforest, tropical grasslands and coastlines of both the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans
• Colombia is part of the volcanically active “Ring of Fire” and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
• The country is made up of several mountain ranges including the Andes, the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Oriental.
• The political system is headed by the President of Columbia, the Vice president and the Council of Ministers, elected by popular vote.
• Main exports include: petroleum, coal, coffee and other agricultural produce, gold and emeralds. 70% of the cut flowers imported by the US are from Colombia.
• Colombia is rapidly becoming a draw for ecotourism because of its rich diversity of geography, flora and fauna. It is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Many children in Colombia begin their academic careers at a preschool academy until age 6 when they enter Primary Basic Education. They attend that school from grade 1 to 5 and then enrol in Secondary Basic Education from 6th to 9th grade. The 10th and 11th grade are Middle Vocational Education. During this time, students may train in different specialties (academic, technical, business, etc.)
• Upon successful completion of their middle education years, the high school graduate is known as a “bachiller” and they are eligible to access higher education.
• Some notable famous Colombians are singer Shakaira, actors John Leguizamo and Sofia Vergara and sports stars Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera (baseball) and Juan Pablo Montoya(Nascar racer).

Homestay families are the heart of our international student program. We are seeking families who are healthy in their lifestyle and active in their communities. All types of families are welcome to apply: families with children at home, no children at home, single parents, retired couples. If your family is excited about the opportunity of welcoming an international student into your home as they immerse themselves in the English language and Canadian culture, we encourage you to apply today. Visit our website at www.studymanitoba.ca to find out more about our programs and complete the online application.

For more information, please contact Rhonda Simon at 483-6252 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tayrona Park, Santa Maria	Atlantis Plaza	New England School	Gymnasium Area
New England School	Tennis Courts	Monserrate Church, Bogota	Plaza Bolivar - Bogota