View from the coffee farm the group visited. (Photo Ella Prieto/The Gettysburgian)
By Zaira Henry, Guest Columnist
As a group of nine students, and myself as the immersion trip leader, we entered Colombia thinking we had a general sense of what the experience would be: engage with communities, learn about social impact and contribute in meaningful ways. However, what we quickly realized is that this trip was not about going somewhere to “fix” problems. It was about listening, learning and challenging the assumptions we carry with us.
One of the most important lessons we took away from this experience was the need to confront preconceptions. Before arriving, it is easy to unconsciously frame communities through a deficit lens, focusing on what they lack rather than what they have built. But places like Comuna 13 completely reshaped that perspective. Once known for its history of violence, Comuna 13 is now a powerful example of resilience, creativity and community-led transformation. Walking through its streets, hearing local voices, and seeing art used as storytelling reminded us that narratives of struggle are only one part of a much richer story. Similarly, our time in Moravia stood out as a highlight of the trip. Learning about how a former landfill was transformed into a thriving community space showed us what is possible when solutions are rooted in local knowledge and collaboration. It was not an outsider-driven success story, it was one shaped by the people who live there. That distinction mattered deeply and challenged the way we thought about impact.
The stacked buildings of Comuna 13. (Photo Ella Prieto/The Gettysburgian)
Beyond these communities, Colombia itself revealed a complexity that often gets lost in what we see on social media or hear from a distance. From vibrant city life to deeply rooted cultural traditions, we experienced a country that is far more dynamic, innovative and welcoming than many common narratives suggest. At the same time, this experience also reminded us that no country is without its challenges. Colombia, like any other place including our own, continues to navigate social, economic and political issues that require ongoing attention and care. Holding both of these truths at once was important: recognizing the beauty, strength and growth within communities, while also acknowledging that there is always work to be done everywhere.
Throughout the trip, we also had the opportunity to engage with non-governemental organizations (NGOs) and professionals working across different sectors. These conversations reinforced an important idea: sustainable change is slow, complex and deeply relational. The individuals we spoke with emphasized partnership over intervention, and humility over authority. They showed us that meaningful work requires listening first, and understanding histories, cultures and needs before taking action. What made this immersion especially impactful was the realization that learning itself is a form of engagement. While I carried the responsibility of leading the group, this experience reminded me that leadership also means creating space for shared reflection, growth and understanding.
The Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) building in downtown Medellín, which provides public utilities to the city. At the top of the building are the Colombian and Medellín flags. (Photo Ella Prieto/The Gettysburgian)
We were not there to impose solutions or to position ourselves as experts. Instead, we were there as students of people, of place, and of perspective. This required us to be reflective about our own positionality and to recognize the privileges and biases we bring into global spaces. By the end of the trip, our understanding of service had shifted. It is not defined by how much you can do for a community, but by how well you can work with one.
Colombia taught us that communities are not waiting to be fixed they are already creating, innovating, and thriving in ways that deserve recognition and respect. This experience will stay with us not because of what we gave, but because of what we learned. It reminded us that the most meaningful impact often begins with humility, curiosity and the willingness to truly listen.
View from Moravia. (Photo Ella Prieto/The Gettysburgian)
This article originally appeared on pages 16-17 of the April 2026 edition of The Gettysburgian magazine.
