As I waited next to the boarding gates for my flight to Medellin, a great deal of both excitement and anxiety had taken over me. Even if I may have visited more than 40 countries, this was my very first time coming to South America. I was excited about the prospect of what I will get to discover during my stay in Medellin, the novel sights, sounds, and tastes that I will be exposed to, the opportunities I will get to practice my Spanish, and the thoughts of getting started on the project I will be working on. Yet, at the same time, I had at the back of my head some of the negative portrayals of Colombia in media I had been exposed to, regarding safety and security. This was heightened by the fact that flight availabilities meant I will be arriving four days ahead of time, before anyone else would be around.

Despite these thoughts, all I remember during my ride from the airport to the location of residence, were the lively conversations I had with the driver about the region and the extremely beautiful landscape and cityscape that had captivated my attention. It is safe to say I was enamoured by Medellin from the first day.

Throughout the first week, I had ample opportunities to nourish my curiosity. Visits to the Museum of Memories and not least of all, Comuna 13, helped me gain cultural appreciation and empathy about what the city has gone through, thanks in no small part to hearing the experiences of those who have lived through the recent conflicts from their own mouths.

In particular, I was inspired by some of the steps that were taken by the community themselves, which often ended up being more human-centred than solutions proposed by external parties. For instance, the six-stage elevator constructed on Mountain 1 of Comuna 13 appeared to be vital in the rejuvenation of the area and helping connect residents of more remote locales to job opportunities more easily, and helping develop a thriving economic scene. To some, the construction of outdoor elevators may appear to be too straightforward. Yet, it did not come to the minds of anyone else and was more effective in developing the area than some more elaborate plans. Similarly, the decision for large numbers of the community to embrace hip-hop on their own, and use this to gain skills (in graffiti, DJing, dancing, and also rapping) helped simultaneously create economic opportunities for the individuals and also turn Comuna 13 into a tourism hotspot, further boosting economic conditions. These really made me realise the importance of human-centred thinking and the need to involve the community and agents involved within the problem-solving process.

At the end of it all though, it is important to realise there is more to the city than just the recent history of conflict. Wherever I have gone in Medellin, I have been met with great warmth and joy. As I try to immerse myself in the city, I must commend the deliciousness of Colombian food, which I recommend all to try. And of course, how could I not talk about football, especially with the Copa America going on over the course of the week? It was an absolute delight watching Colombia’s games in public space with the rest of the local population, as the country reached the final after two decades, and for a second forgetting that I am a foreigner and sharing the excitement with everyone else.