In March 2025, the College of Liberal Arts led a group of 14 students to Cartagena for a weeklong study abroad program. Led by Joel Ebarb, Executive Associate Dean, and Briggitta August, Director of Student Excellence and Community, this program explored the contrast between Cartagena’s colonial-era past with contemporary storytelling and the new narratives that define the city in 2025. Their visit included a visit to San Basilio de Palenque, and featured lectures from Professor David Lara Ramos, the Director of the Social Communication program at the University of Cartagena.  Students on this program also participated in a weeklong Undergraduate Research collaboration with students at Universidad de Cartagena, with Purdue students partnering alongside local students to explore themes of contemporary storytelling within the city. Universidad de Cartagena has been a partner of the College of Liberal Arts since 2015 and the goal of this study abroad program was to build new connections to help continue building this relationship.