Tag: meta
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Ten months? Already?
I arrived in Villavicencio last August, I blinked maybe two or three times, and boom—the Fulbright grant is over. I am officially a Fulbright alumni. Not even a current grantee. Not even employed in the slightest, at the moment. Ten months in Colombia came and went, just like that. In all honesty, I don’t feel…
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The beginning of the (Fulbright) end
Mostly written on May 15 and completed on May 19, 2025. Today marks the halfway point of May, and May 30 will mark the end of my ten-month Fulbright grant. Of course, I decided to leave the country a bit early to attend my brother’s wedding in Pittsburgh and then come straight back to Colombia…
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Semana Santa en familia
Yes, you read that title correctly! Holy Week with family. The first two Wicker family visitors (but hopefully not the last!) came all the way from Nebraska and Alberta, Canada to spend nine days with me in Colombia. Semana Santa Allow me to begin with a disclaimer, as I often do: if you are hoping…
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One hundred days (of second semester)
Once more, my university department head asked me to write a short article reflecting on my experience teaching and living in Colombia—so here is part 2 of my original “One hundred days in Colombia” post from last November. Today marks one hundred days since I returned to work at my host university following Christmas break,…
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Here, there, and everywhere
Hello, happy Saturday to all who celebrate. Today was Hulking Saturday at my CrossFit gym—a long partner workout, taking group pictures in sweaty workout attire, kicking a soccer ball around with the youngest members, and then eating a smorgasbord of shared food. Also, tomorrow is the end of Ramadan, which reminds me that I haven’t…
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101 things I love about Colombia
Originally titled 1001 things I love about Colombia. I then realized that was far too ambitious an undertaking for a Wednesday morning. This list and the included photos are a compilation of many moments and favorite things since I arrived last August. LA GASTRONOMÍA PEOPLE JUST COLOMBIAN THINGS DAILY VILLAVICENCIO LIFE EL LLANO ES UN…
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(Nearly) infinite flexibility
“Infinite flexibility.” This phrase was one repeated many times by our program director Dan when I studied abroad in San José, Costa Rica in 2018. His continual reminders to practice this kind of flexibility proved useful when several of our weekend class trips were cancelled due to teachers’ strikes, and again when our mid-semester Nicaragua…
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When the foreign becomes familiar
Written mostly on February 9. Intended to be published by February 12 or so. Hello from the Medellín airport in Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia. Lately I only make time for writing in airports and on airplanes, but I have traveled quite frequently over the past two months. I do love to explore new places, but hopefully…
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Llorar en la tormenta o bailar en la lluvia
Part 1, written on January 9, 2025 Another year is beginning, and with it my second semester with Fulbright. Once again I am writing a blog post from an airplane, a punto de llegar a Bogotá de nuevo. Bienvenidos a 2025. Lloras en la tormenta, o bailas en la lluvia. “Bailando en la Lluvia” by…
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One semester down, one to go
Written on January 8, 2025, published once I was able to borrow a neighbor’s Wifi. I’m convinced that airplanes are the best place to ponder and write about life. Last time I wrote a blog post, I was on a plane headed to Waco, and that’s where I find myself again. I said goodbye to…
Emily Explores 