Colombia Forum

thelocogringo
Joined 2013
Posts: 675

8 years ago

This came as a private message to me

8 years ago

Invite
5/29/2015 01:16

Hi, I am taking the liberty of contacting you to request if you might be able to help me with useful information or make some introductions locally.

I am a published freelance writer based in California and while reading Expat Exchange (Colombia) came across your replies and comments and felt they had been carefully thoughtout, very useful and genuinely made.

In the recent past, I have concentrated my freelance writing efforts on travel. Travel and entertainment readers like stories to be personal, original and literary, not the usual guidebook recounting of where and what. The want to know about and sense the magic and wonder of a place, to know what it means to go there, to know how the visitor might be changed by the journey. They want to know about the people that live in a place, their regional customs, and where the locals hang out. Moreover, they want to smell the aromas, taste the food, and explore the streets and walk down the hidden paths.

I am planning for a 6 - 8 week trip to Colombia, preferably Medellin, to begin around July 10, 2015, with flexibility to begin either a bit earlier or later. My primary purpose will be to immerse in a program of learning Spanish and the local culture. Although I have studied Spanish on my own for the past six months, I feel that actually living in a place, among its people, hearing and seeing its native language will greatly enhance my Spanish learning experience. I will be looking into 8 -10 hours a week of language instruction, whether group or one-on-one, and staying in an apartment or preferably a homestay room.

Would you be able to give me information and recommendations as to Medellin language schools and accommodations? Since I will be on a budget, would you know of any persons/entities that you might formally introduce me to as 'sponsors' so that my tuition and accomodations would be complimentary or at a reduced rate? Such sponsors could be organizations or commercial enterprises, or even the schools themselves, such as ProExport Colombia. In return, I would be happy to use my English writing skills for reports, write-ups, correspondences, etc to assist and promote the activities of the sponsors in this regard. For travel-tourism activities, I would be happy to write stories of interest based on my Colombian experience for submission to popular travel resource outlets in North America and Europe.

If you would like links to some of my published stories, please let me know. I think you would find my stories very interesting reading, touching upon various subjects such as historical destination, local customs, outdoors, food and architecture.

I look forward to hearing good news from you.

Sincerely,

H. Quan, freelance writer/journalist

I wrote back:

Hello Sufer USA, I do not know of any one in Colombia that wants to give you free boarding or free Spanish lessons or free food or transportation or free anything.

The majority of Colombians live on somthing like $5 a day. The people with money are not giving anything away and the ones who have nothing are eager to help, if only they could.

I sugest you get a job, earn some money and pay for your vacation just like everyone else.

You sound like an email from Nigeria telling me about my million dollar jackpot.

Yours trully,

MARTIN

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

Additional Information:

Visit our Colombia Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.