By: Ebelin Gomez, Assistant Director Latino Cultural Center

A group of 19 students embarked on an enriching, week-long study abroad journey to Colombia to study Food Sustainability and Culture. 15 of the 19 students who traveled this year are part of or have formed part of our Avanzando through College program at the Latino Cultural Center. Avanzando through College is a two-semester program that helps first-generation Latino students navigate the college system.

The course, Food Sustainability and Culture in Colombia, offered an experiential learning opportunity that pushed students to critically engage with two central themes: the role of food in Colombian culture and the broader issue of food sustainability. By delving into these areas, students compared cultural practices between Colombia and the United States. Students engaged in a three-part assignment From Local to Global, Grocery Store Sustainability: A Field Study where they explored how grocery stores implement food sustainability practices. They visited grocery stores in Greater Lafayette and Barranquilla.

Students traveled to Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena. Through field visits, lectures, and preparing traditional dishes, students explored how food systems have endured across generations despite technological, political, and global influences. Food sustainability is a dynamic issue in Colombia, showing up in various forms across the country. We had the pleasure of visiting La Victoria, a coffee farm in Santa Marta where students learned about the production of coffee. We learned that Colombia is the 3rd largest exporter of coffee in the world! Students also engaged in a day tour of Santa Marta where we saw the vibrant city of Santa Marta and learned that Santa Marta, 500 years old, is one of Colombia’s oldest surviving cities.

Our trip continued by traveling back to Barranquilla where students learned how to dance salsa, cumbia, mapalé, and champeta. We visited "El Museo del Carnaval" where students learned about the history of the Barranquilla Carnival and its importance to Colombian culture. Students explored the different types of maiz criollos and cooked delicious arepas. We visited La Parisienne, a family-owned meat-curing business that has been around for decades, and they continue to uphold sustainable practices. We heard from two different matronas, of Sabor Barranquilla. Matronas pass down their gastronomy and traditional food knowledge from generation to generation. They share their food and knowledge with the world during Sabor Barranquilla.

Our time in Colombia was brief, but the experiences we shared will forever change the way we think about food sustainability, both in Colombia and in our own community of West Lafayette. Our heartfelt thanks go to our partners at UniNorte for another great trip. This trip was hosted by the Latino Cultural Center and the John Martinson Honors College.