Beyond the Headlines

July 25, 2012 

This morning we woke up in our beachfront hotel. Honestly, I would have loved to relax on the beach all day, but I'm not on vacation.  

 

Our agenda for today was packed! Our first stop was at the University of Cartagena. We toured the campus and spoke with several bilingual students who wanted to speak with us in order to practice their English speaking skills. 

Two members of the Fulbright group, Dan & Sarah, even got the opportunity to be interviewed for a local television station to discuss the Fulbright Program.

The president of the university was kind enough to greet us too! 

We also listened to a lecture by German Ruiz, a professor at the university, about the reinsertion of children and adolescents to the education system and society.  He explained the work he does trying to help former paramilitary associates back into society. He introduced us to a man, who at the age eleven became involved in a paramilitary group. Unfortunately, he was forced to join the group or would have been killed. He worked for three paramilitary groups who were involved in assassinations and drug trafficking. At the age of twelve he was the "right hand man" to one of the leaders of a very powerful group and began using drugs.  At 25 he left the group and now, in his thirties, he's trying to reenter society. He works as a security guard, but if often scared of his own security. Being involved in the paramilitary group for so long, knowing so much inside information, he is at risk in society. This man had a great deal of courage to share his story with us, but sadly he still continues to struggle in society. He explained he often misses his old lifestyle because for so many years it’s all he knew. He made a lot of money and was accepted by his peers, now he is frowned upon by people in his community.

Some students from the university performed a folk dance.

Several of the Fulbrighters joined the fun! 

The charming streets of Cartagena.

Sarah & her guitar

Our final Fulbright lunch 

Emily, Sarah, and Dan performed the song they'd been working very hard on,"Fulbright Hays 2012 Beyond the Headlines." The song spoke volumes and had us all reminiscing and laughing. Job well done guys! 

Click to see the performance! 

Shrimp in a white wine cognac sauce! Yummy!

The theatre 

Stone fortresses and towering walls up to 20 meters thick characterizing Colombia's coastal city of Cartagena are reminders of the Caribbean's shady pirate past dating all the way back to the 1500's.