Job Discussion Forums

[RoisinDubh]

I have some friends who are working in Colombia and have told me to go over and work there for a few months to see how I like it. I've always wanted to go to Latin America and am fluent in Spanish, but the idea of Colombia scares me a little. Am I just being silly? I've spoken to some Colombian friends about it and half of them reckon it's dangerous and I shouldn't go and the other half told me it's perfectly safe. I know that the city I'd be going to is one of the safest in the country.

Also, what's the visa situation like? My friends told me it's totally normal to work without a visa for a few months and sort out the paperwork later. Is this true?

[DebMer]

I lived in Colombia in 92/93, when things were supposed to be pretty bad, but was in Cartagena where there was no trouble.

My most recent information about safety in Colombia comes from a student in my ESL class who grew up in Medellin. She remembers the violence from her childhood years there, but says things have settled greatly, and that Medellin is a safe city now. I imagine that if the "worst" city in the country is greatly improved, the rest of the country is likely reasonably safe. At any rate, there will be safe cities to live and work in.

P.S. Cartagena is amazing!