Massey Uni PMSLA Trip to Colombia

We're in Massive Mag!!! 🤩

"Truly amazing": Massey students return from month long scholarship trip to Colombia   | Massive Magazine A group of ten Communications students have returned from Bogotá, Colombia, after being awarded a Prime Ministers Scholarship to Latin America.   Second year PR student, Nikki Harris, has been studying Spanish for years, making this trip a dream come true.  After returni

On Wednesday, some of us took our rest day to explore of the shiniest places around, El Museo Del Oro!
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This museum holds the biggest collection of prehispanic gold in the world, with over 35,000 pieces in the museum
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We saw some incredible and intricate pieces spanning centuries of creation, including areas highlighting the work of the various indigenous groups of Colombia
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We wanted to take a moment to appreciate all of the incredible workshops we’ve done with the Bronx in our time here. 💛

We have been working closely with the Bronx Distrito Creativo to create beautiful artwork and space for mindfulness in a world of chaos. 🎨

Our workshops have all been based in chanelling anxieties about climate and the future into positive change, through creative outlets such as embroidery, painting, use of plants in pressings and dying, music making and sharing, group cooking of delicious sancocho soup and gardening. 🌱

Through these processes, we have had many open conversations that overcome the language barrier of our cultures, instead showing our similarities and the power of community to make change. 🌎

On behalf of our group, we thank the Bronx from the bottom of our hearts for opening your space to us and sharing a piece of your world. 🌼





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One of the most powerful experiences we’ve had so far has been witnessing the painting of a “Las Cuchas Tienen Razón” mural on the 17th of January.

This activism art has been inspired by mothers in Medellin insisting for decades to search areas within their district for the bodies of their “forcibly disappeared” children and loved ones during the conflict.

Years later, this persistence resulted in remains being found in the very buildings they insisted on searching, inspiring the movement which translates to “The mothers were right”, honouring the victims and highlighting the commitment of the families

The original mural in Medellin was covered up quickly by the mayor’s office, inspiring activist artists in other regions such as Cali, Pasto and Bogotá to paint their own versions in solidarity of the art and its powerful message.

We were lucky enough to witness the preparation and painting of the Bogotá mural. As students learning about creative communication, this was an invaluable case study to experience. However it was painted over several days later during the night. The artists did not rest however, and had the mural up in its full glory again the next day.

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Sorry for the delayed post, got caught up in the excitement here, these photos are from the 19th of January but were too beautiful not to share!

On our second Sunday in Bogotá, we all needed a bit of a rest after a hectic week, and some of us took the downtime to explore some local museums of El Museo Botero and Miguel Urrutia Art Museum
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We saw some iconic pieces, such as the Botero Mona Lisa, as well as some more modern designs by local artists. The statement “Polvo Eres” translates to “You are dust”, referencing how all of us come from, and return to nature eventually, which was the theme of the gallery section.

We then topped it all off with a set menu at Quinua y Amaranto, with a delicious traditional meal of bean soup, eggplant bolognese and delicious fresh vegetables
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On Saturday morning we had an early start to get to the Paloquemao flower and fruit market to experience all of the wonderful fresh produce Colombia has to offer
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We started with the bright colours and beautiful scents of the flower section of the market, each picking out fresh bouquets to display in our apartments

We received a guided tour from our friends at the Bronx, who gave us a locals guide to the market, by navigating us through the stalls selling everything from fresh meat to bonsai trees, and served us some incredible tastings of artisan cheese, bread and coffee from the area
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We ended our tour by learning about the sustainability efforts of the market, with a large composting centre used to turn any wasted produce into fertiliser for local communities
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Thank you again to and the Bronx members for the incredible experience, I know I’ll be thinking about that fruit for a long time 😋

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Yesterday morning was a perspective-shifting experience after visiting “Cabildo Indígina Embera Katio Done”, a displaced indigenous group of around 200 people who have been living in abandoned buildings and horrendous conditions. The group fled from Chocó, their beloved territory, to Bogotá in 2004 due to bombings and conflict from civil war, as well as acquisition of indigenous lands by multinational companies.

We listened to Felipe Campo, the governor of this group share their reality of not having any water for multiple days, contaminated water making the children sick, not having access to education, and what he described as a lack of support and supplies from the Bogotá government.

We also got the privilege to hear more about their culture, from their connection to the land and learnt abilities of natural medicine and handicraft skills. We were shown and were able to purchase some beautiful indigenous beading work. We learnt from one of the elders about the significance of the colours and patterns, the spiritual nature behind them, as well as some stories of their home that were told through this craft.

As a group we are committed to finding a channel to directly help this community have access to the resources they need and deserve. Stay tuned for more information 🤍🤍




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Here’s some of our favourite random facts about Colombia that we’ve learned so far! 🇨🇴🇨🇴

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We took a journey beyond Bogotá on Saturday, with a relaxing 1 1/2 hour train journey to Zipaquirá. We then ventured 200 metres underground where The Salt Cathedral is located!
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We admired the beautiful salt marbling, immersive lights and the stunning craftsmanship on the many sculptures - including the largest underground cross.
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The train ride back to Bogotá was filled with music and dancing which overall made for a well spent Saturday!

Thank you for the insightful tour and taking such good care of us 🫶


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