Week 1 in itself was life changing in many ways. I got to meet new people from all over the world, immerse myself in the culture of Colombia and the Spanish language, try new foods, and begin my project surrounding the adverse effects of tourism in Communa 13. However, the biggest impact this first week had on me was by introducing me to the people of this city. Before arriving to Colombia, I was apprehensive. Everything I had heard in the news about this country was negative, making me scared to travel there alone. My family and friends feared for my safety, leading me to believe I was going to be in danger for most of the trip. However, I was so completely wrong, and therefore, incredibly grateful I decided to take this leap and join make_sense in Medellin. The citizens of Colombia are kind, generous and welcoming. They always have big smiles on their faces, wanting to introduce themselves and share their journey's with us. They always greet us with "Bienvenido", meaning welcome, and want us to learn more about their culture. I have been shocked by how amazing the people here are, and every single person I've had the chance to talk to, including our Spanish professor, the coordinators of the program (Evelyn and Daniella), the staff at our home-base Casa Mosaiko, the lady at the nail salon, the citizens of Villa Hermosa and Communa 13, our yoga instructor, uber drivers, tour guides, the workers at the gym and the students of UPB has been inspiring. I am so grateful to be here in Medellin and excited for what is in store. Through just this first week, my entire perception of developing countries has shifted, showing that it is never plausible to judge a book by its cover. This has taught me that sometimes it is better to experience things individually before listening to the opinions of other people and the media, because sometimes its just completely wrong :)