COUNTRY NOTES FOR ENGLISH

LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS
2012 - 2013

Colombia

Updated July 2011

Disclaimer:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in these notes. However the British
Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors which may exist or for any subsequent changes.
1. INTRODUCTION
This is a brief guide to your assistantship in Colombia, with information taken from questionnaires provided by former
language assistants and a variety of guidebooks. It contains some tips and information about Colombia as a country, and
also about what you can expect from your host institution(s) and the British Council during your time abroad.

Please read in conjunction with any other information received from the British Council in the UK or authorities in
Colombia. It is important that you take this information with you to Colombia in order to be able to consult it at all times
when problems/questions arise.

At the outset it should be stressed that these notes are only meant to provide a very general guideline to your
assistantship in Colombia. People’s experiences inevitably vary considerably and these notes are there to provide you
with some provisional information and tips. In addition to this information we recommend that you read as much as
possible about Colombia and Latin America before you go, as this will ensure that your experience is richer and that you
are thoroughly prepared for your time abroad.

We recommend that you give a copy of this information on to your parents, guardians or carers, but please remember that
under the Data Protection Act we cannot discuss an individual’s personal situation and circumstances with a third party
such as a parent/guardian/carer: information on a situation must be conveyed to us first hand by the assistant concerned.

1.1 ICETEX
The Language Assistants Programme in Colombia is administered by ICETEX - Colombian Institute of Educational Credit
and Technical Studies Abroad - The British Council in London liaises with the British Council in Bogotá which deals
directly with ICETEX.

1.2 Managing Expectations

In Latin America things tend to happen at the very last minute and many assistants from the UK find it hard to adjust to
what they consider to be a disorganised society. Usually what is lacking in forward planning is made up for in making
newcomers feel welcome. However, you will need to prepare yourself for certain frustrations particularly at bureaucratic
level, even prior to departure, especially when it comes to finding out specific details regarding your post and visa
applications.

Showing an interest in Colombian culture will certainly endear you to the locals. We recommend you read up as much as
possible before you go as this will help you make conversation and talk knowledgeably to people you meet in the first few
weeks.

2. CONTACT DETAILS
The British Council in London should be your first point of contact whilst you are still in the UK. Some months before your
appointment starts you will receive an email from the British Council in Colombia asking you to confirm whether or not you
will be accepting your position as a Language Assistant. It is very important that you reply as soon as possible with the
information requested because the earlier you do so, the earlier you will receive a response regarding your post and
contact details of your local education coordinator.

From this time on and whilst you are in Colombia you should always try and contact institutions locally if you have any
problems or questions. Please note that the British Council is not your employer. You will be placed in a host
institution and issues regarding your school are best discussed with your mentor teacher directly. However, if you feel you
cannot talk to your mentor teacher or another member of staff please contact the British Council in Colombia and they will
do whatever possible to help. In case of an emergency please contact the British Embassy in Bogotá or the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office.

2.1 British Council Colombia Angelica Pinzón

Carrera 9 No. 76-49, Piso 5  +57(1) 3259107
Bogotá D.C., Colombia angelica.pinzón@britishcouncil.org.co
2.2 ICETEX
Adriana Giraldo Xenia Poveda / Ruby Stella Montaño
 +57 (1) 325 9116 Carrera 3 No. 18-32
adriana.giraldo@britishcouncil.org.co Bogotá D.C., Colombia
 +57 (1) 382 1670 ext. 1037
relaciones_internal@icetex.gov.co

2.3 UK Embassy in Colombia

Carrera 9 No 76-49
Bogotá D.C.
Colombia
 0054 (0)11 4808 2200
Ppa.bogota@fco.gov.uk 2.6 British Council Manchester
Rachel Salmon
Switchboard: (57) (1) 326 8300
Phone: (57) (1) 326 8300 Main Embassy Switchboard Scholarships and Exchanges Manager - Language
Out of hours emergency calls - If you have a genuine Assistants
'life or death' emergency when our Embassy or Product Delivery | Programmes & Projects
Consulates in Cali, Cartagena or Medellin are closed, British Council | Bridgewater House | 58 Whitworth
please call the Embassy - (01) 326 8300.  A message Street | Manchester | M1 6BB
will provide you with an appropriate contact number. T +44 (0)161 957 7006
E Rachel.Salmon@britishcouncil.org
2.4 Colombian Embassy and Consulate in the UK www.languageassistant.co.uk
3 Hans Crescent
London
W1X 0LN
 +44 (0)20 7589 9177 2.7 British Council Manchester
mail@colombianembassy.co.uk Ana Paula N Booth (Mrs)

Product Delivery Officer (Customer Support)

Language Assistants Team
2.5 Official Advice for British Citizens Abroad Programme & Projects (P&P)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office 58 Whitworth Street
 0044 (0)20 7008 1500 Manchester M1 6BB
www.fco.gov.uk
T + 44 (0) 161 957 7518
Or go directly to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-
E Ana.Booth@britishcouncil.org
living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/south-
america/colombia

3. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS

3.1 Passport and Visas

Before leaving the UK you must be in possession of a full passport, valid for the duration of your stay in Colombia. Please
make sure that it does not need to be renewed before the end of October after your placement, otherwise you might have
problems obtaining a visa.

You will have to apply for a courtesy visa at the Colombian Consulate. You will be responsible for making an appointment
to do this at the Colombian Consulate in London. You will receive, from BC Colombia, the visa application form for you to
take with you to this appointment. When this is sent, you will be given the date from which you can make an appointment.
Please do not try and make your appointment until you have heard from us as you will need the form and the Consulate
must have received official authorization from Colombia in order to start the process.  

In order to be able to apply for a visa you will need:

- A completed visa application form

- Your passport (valid at least until October 2013)
- Photocopies of any pages of your passport which have been stamped at immigration on previous international
trips to any country
- 2 passport photos, with your name written on the reverse
- Your last bank statement
Please keep in mind that visa procedures may vary from year to year. The British Council London tries to obtain the latest
information on your visa requirements but we are unable to accept any liability if the information provided here differs from
what the Consulate requires from you.

3.2 Obtaining your ID card and dealing with DAS

Once you arrive in Colombia you will have to apply for an ID card from their border control agency DAS (Departamento
Administrativo de Seguridad). It is obligatory to have this card to prove you are in the country legitimately. You will also
need this ID card in order to be able to open a bank account. This costs around £40 plus £5 for a so-called ‘Blood
Certificate’ which means a blood sample will be taken in order to confirm your blood group. If you already have an official
document which confirms your blood group this test might not be necessary. The result needs to indicate your blood group
and Rhesus factor.

Your ID card should be issued at the DAS office in the town or city where you will be doing your assistantship and living.

It is very important that you report to the DAS office of this town within 15 days of arriving in the country. If you will be
staying for more than 15 days elsewhere in Colombia, prior to arriving at your placement town, it is essential that you
report to the DAS office wherever you are in order to receive an interim document (salvoconducto) to prove you have
reported to the DAS within 15 days, but have not yet had your ID card issued at your town of residence.

If you do not visit a DAS office within 15 days of arrival into Colombia, you may be liable to pay significant fines and
charges to the DAS.

If you have any doubts about this part of the process, please send details of your plans for travel, with dates, to Adriana
Giraldo (adriana.giraldo@britishcouncil.org.co).

NB. Please take care to respond promptly to any instructions you receive via email regarding your visa. If you don’t
organize your visa prior to arriving in the country you will have to enter with a tourist visa, which is only valid for 2 months.
In this case, you will be required to show evidence that you have a return flight booked to the UK departing within 2
months of your arrival in Colombia.

3.3 Insurance

Health insurance will be provided by ICETEX and you will get further details on that during the induction briefing in Bogota.
The scheme is called ‘Liberty Seguros S.A.’ and will provide you with access to some of the best clinics in the country but
it won’t cover you for emergency repatriation. The British Council strongly recommends that you take out adequate
insurance to cover other expenses, personal accident and personal liability, luggage and personal possessions and
cancellation charges. We recommend you research the various options available and consult other/former assistants
before purchasing a suitable policy. However any insurance you purchase should include cover for emergency treatment
and repatriation. Please note that no insurance company will cover you in the event of a natural disaster or the outbreak of
war.

Please note that pre-existing medical conditions are usually not covered by medical insurance. If you need to take
medication to Colombia, label it clearly and make sure you take a large enough supply. You should take the insurance
certificate and emergency telephone helpline number to Colombia and make sure to take copies of all medical bills,
receipts or other documents if you fall ill. It is advisable to leave copies of insurance documents with a contact in the UK.

The British Council will not be responsible for you while you are in Colombia, although we will offer support when
necessary. You must send a copy of your insurance certificate to British Council Colombia by the end of July. You
will also be asked to sign a declaration for the British Council in London to certify that you will be taking out insurance.

3.4 Registering with FCO Locate

Once you arrive in Colombia you will need to register with FCO Locate. The Foreign Office and all British Embassies offer
this registration service for British nationals visiting or residing in a foreign country. The details you provide when you
register will help the FCO to contact you in an emergency (e.g. natural disaster, civil disturbance, family emergency etc.),
or to pass on information that we wish to alert you about. https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal/

You must keep this accurate and up-date if details change or when you travel – even if you go on short trips.
The FCO also recommends that you subscribe to the website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/ for email
updates of FCO travel advice pages. This can be carried out at: https://secure.fco.gov.uk/en/secure/subscribe?
action=subscribe

3.5 Documents to take

We recommend you scan important documents before leaving the UK and email these to yourself so that you have access
to these while you are away. Documents you may need access to include; travel insurance, flights, vaccine certificates,
birth certificate, exam qualification certificates (although you should not need the originals of these) and scanned copies of
the photo page of your passport, visa and driving license (take this with you). You should carry a photocopy of the photo
page of your passport rather than the original and always have this on you as a means of ID.

4. YOUR ASSISTANTSHIP

4.1 Period of Appointment and Induction Course

Appointments are from the first week in August to 31 st May. You will be expected to arrive in Bogota on or before Sunday
29th July to attend a 2 day welcome briefing and orientation session at the British Council Bogota before you go to your
institution. The accommodation during those days (29 th, 30th and 31st) will be provided by ICETEX.
After the induction course you will make your way to your individual destination to begin your placement. You will receive
details of this directly from the British Council in Bogotá.

If you have been allocated to an institution outside of Bogotá you will have to cover the cost of onward travel which is likely
to be between £70 and £90 depending on the location. You could ask your mentor teacher for further advice.

The date of your first teaching day depends on your host institution but it will be during the first week of August and it is
expected that you will travel to your final destination directly after the induction workshop. Your local co-ordinators will be
able to provide temporary accommodation for the first few days and they will be able to help you find somewhere
permanently. You should be able to observe classes at your host institution for the first or second week. Please ensure
that you inform the British Council in Bogotá of your address as soon as you have found permanent
accommodation.

4.2 Terms and Conditions

One of the most challenging government projects during the past 5 years has been The National Bilingual Programme
which seeks for Colombia to partake in global communication, the global economy and in the opening-up of contemporary
cultural links. This programme aims to improve the language and teaching skills of in-service English teachers, seeing as
this is a fundamental part of the process to increase the opportunities available to students and their competitiveness in a
global world. British Council Colombia’s recruitment process concentrates on supporting this programme by selecting
assistants with the profile to actively participate and cooperate with the achievement of the National goals. British Council
Colombia has a partnership with ICETEX which runs a major Language Assistants Scheme including candidates from
around the world.

The number of hours worked will be 18 per week (these may be daytime, evening or Saturday classes). If you are
occasionally asked to work additional hours (covering classes etc), we recommend that you comply. If, however, this
becomes a regular request please inform your mentor teacher to resolve this problem. If you are requested to attend staff
meetings outside of your 18 hour week, you will be required to attend.

The size of classes can vary considerably ranging from 4 – 30 students depending on the institution. The age of students
at universities is usually between 18 and 35. Conditions between universities differ, often depending on whether you will
be working at a public or private university. The programme allows for an amount of paid leave (holiday), giving you the
time to travel and see what the rest of the country has to offer. Any holiday time taken must be established with the
host institution prior to departure.

There are three holiday periods during the year at Christmas, Easter (Semana Santa) and half-term (between semesters).
The length of time that you will be given off work during these holiday periods is decided by the institution, and
must be adhered to (be advised that some institutions will receive greater holiday periods than others, but the British
Council has no control over this and as an employee of the institution, you must respect the holiday periods given).
The monthly allowance for 2012-13 will be $1.700.100 Colombian pesos which is calculated to be three times the
minimum national salary. This is about £611 per month at the time of writing (Jun 2012). Please note that due to
governmental bureaucracy, some of you may occasionally experience delays in receipt of your allowance. If this occurs,
please inform the British Council Colombia, so that we can do what we can to speed the process along. You will also
receive comprehensive medical insurance coverage, and the support both of the British Council and ICETEX. This amount
actually exceeds the level of pay for most local teachers. You are strongly advised to be sensitive to this when dealing
with other teachers.

Your mentor teacher should help you opening a bank account. Please bring your UK bank details and switch/credit cards.
Assistants do not have to pay income tax in Colombia and you should check your agreement carefully to make sure that it
is not deducted from your salary.

As soon as you arrive please ask your host institution to provide you with an agreement. In some cases institutions have
taken several months to sort a contract out which resulted in delays of payments. When you receive your agreement
please read it carefully and make sure you understand exactly what is written in it before you sign anything. In some cases
assistants might receive a new agreement at the beginning of the second semester. Please read it again carefully to make
sure you understand exactly what you sign. Agreements can vary from institution to institution as they are usually agreed
by the regional ICETEX office. Please be aware that if you break your agreement ICETEX will cancel your work
permit/visa and you will be requested to return to the UK.

If you are the only assistant in your area, ICETEX or the Ministry of Education may ask you to help run an extensive
course for local professionals interested in learning English. Materials and extra remuneration will be provided by ICETEX/
Ministry of Education.

Once you have signed an agreement with your host institution, you will be unable to withdraw from the
programme. If an extreme situation arises, in which you think that you will be unable to continue in the
programme, please contact the British Council Colombia as soon as possible.

5. BRITISH COUNCIL TEACHING RESOURCES

The British Council produces and co-produces a range of resources specifically for Language Assistants. Making use of
these will help you greatly to deliver interesting and useful classroom activities and support you in solving problems in the
classroom.

5.1 Language Assistants Manual

‘Language Assistant’ by Clare Lavery is a resource book designed for language assistants and provides information on all
aspects of the role. We strongly recommend you take it with you. It is also available online at:
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/transform/books/ela-manual

5.2 Language Assistants Website

TeachingEnglish.org is an online resource centre produced jointly by the British Council and the BBC which has a
specialised Language Assistants micro-site.

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/language-assistant

On the site you will have access to;

- The language assistants’ manual online

- Teaching tips
- Essential UK: Seasonal lesson plans based around UK topics
- Primary tips: Help getting started with primary-level students
- Classroom games.

5.3 Facebook page and virtual mentor

http://www.facebook.com/LanguageAssistants.BritishCouncil provides an opportunity to discuss teaching ideas and share
your experience with other assistants (we send approximately 3000 Language Assistants around the world each year).

Our virtual mentors are experienced English teachers and will also be on hand to provide answers to any questions you
might have and to suggest useful teaching tips and links to resources and lesson plans.
Remember to update our other Facebook page and share your experiences as a Language Assistant.
http://www.facebook.com/BritishCouncilEnglishLanguageAssistants

6. CURRENCY AND BANKS

Based on the information we received from your predecessors in previous years it is advisable to leave the UK with a
minimum of £800 to cover expenses for the first few weeks. Your first salary payment may not arrive until you have been
in Colombia for around six to eight weeks. ATMs can be found in most cities and towns and they are the best way to get
money. You should also be able to pay by Visa or MasterCard in most areas. When using a credit card please keep in
mind that some businesses add a surcharge or recargo of 5% to 10% towards your purchases. The actual amount you will
have to pay is also dependent on the exchange rate. Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in major cities but can be
inconvenient to change. We recommend checking with your local co-ordinator to find out the best way for you to access
your money during the first few weeks.

7. HEALTH

You are recommended to obtain a copy of the booklet Health Advice for Travellers (T7.1) before leaving the UK. It holds
important information on avoiding health risks and obtaining emergency medical treatment. It is produced by the
Department of Health and available to download here;
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_4135858.pdf

The British Council is unable to pay for your vaccines but we recommend strongly that you get information and consult
your GP on the vaccinations needed for Colombia before you travel. Fit for travel, and the NHS website, will be useful
starting points. http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america/colombia.aspx.

Make sure that if you need medication you bring a large enough supply. Label it clearly before boarding a plane. If you
have to carry syringes or needles, please remember to get a letter from your GP explaining their medical necessity. We
also recommend checking your airline’s website to see whether any other documentation is needed.

Please keep in mind that Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common danger when travelling long distances. It is usually
recommended to walk about the plane now and then and to perform leg exercises whilst sitting. You should also drink a lot
of water and avoid alcohol during the flight. More information on DVT is included in both links given above.

First aid – we recommend that assistants take a First aid kit with them and research what to do in emergency scenarios.
You should do independent research for this. Here is a link but please do independent research for further advice.
https://www.sja.org.uk/sja/default.aspx

8. INTRODUCING COLOMBIA
Colombia’s geography is amongst the most diverse in South America. It is the only South American country which borders
both the pacific and the Caribbean. Its 42 million inhabitants form an ethnic melting pot and are generally seen as very
hospitable. The official language is Spanish and the country is predominantly Roman Catholic.

Colombia does not have a good international reputation. The news that has in the past decade repeatedly hit the
worldwide media may give the impression that it’s a lawless domain of drug lords and guerrillas. The country has endured
the largest and longest guerrilla insurgency on the continent and is also one of the world’s major producers of cocaine.
However, today, the picture is quite different and in reality Colombia has a relatively stable economy with violence
diminishing greatly in recent years and high numbers of foreign visitors.

8.1 Culture Shock

Even if you have travelled to non-European destinations before you might feel slightly overwhelmed in the beginning by
your experience. Some areas in Latin America can be extremely poor and you might struggle to accept this. Latin America
is also known for its alleged chaos. A different climate and location as well as feeling jet lagged after the long flight and
struggling with speaking Spanish all day long might lead to temporary disorientation, self-consciousness and exhaustion.
This can lead to feelings of homesickness, but please be assured that this is a very common and normal feeling which
usually disappears after a few weeks or even days.

There are some ways which might help you to overcome this initial culture shock. Try not to be too hard on yourself; yes,
you have come to Colombia to live and work, but that does not mean that you have to be like one of the locals within a
week. Give yourself time to get over the jet lag and to explore your area. Do not stay in contact only with UK assistants
during your assistantship as this might lead to your feeling alienated for the whole time of your appointment. However, it is
important that you contact them and your family and friends back home in the beginning to tell them about your
experiences. Other assistants can be a great support as they are going through the same process. Once you have met
local people and have tackled the bureaucracy you will realise that life in Colombia gets much easier and you will have an
enjoyable time. Religion and family play an important role in every day life, so although at first you may feel like an
outsider, if you take an interest in local people and their culture, you will be welcomed into the society in which you are
placed.

The way you behave and represent the UK will shape the view of the UK of those Colombians with whom you are in
contact. There are a number of frustrations that Language Assistants in Latin America frequently feel; attitudes towards
timekeeping in Latin America can be somewhat lax, particularly in social settings (although you will be expected to be
punctual to your classes). Machismo and general gender issues might be something with which female assistants, in
particular, struggle to manage. Heckling and unwanted attention in the street should be expected by female assistants.
Discourage this by dressing appropriately and trying to blend in. Bureaucracy can also be very tiresome. Do not get angry
as this will not help in getting the desired result any faster – especially when dealing with people in authority. Ultimately,
remember that you are an ambassador for the UK – do not criticise what you cannot change and above all, keep your
sense of humour!

Politeness and respect are seen as important everywhere in Latin America. People generally shake hands when they
meet each other and start a conversation with a formal greeting. If you are unsure always use the more formal usted and
remember to use seňor/señora particularly with older people.

Check with your mentor teacher what the dress code is at your teaching centre. Observe the local dress code and
remember that shorts, flip flops and bikinis are for the beach only.

8.2 Accommodation
Temporary accommodation will be arranged for you upon arrival in the town/city where you’ll be working, but you will
probably have to organise your own long term accommodation. It is often the case that accommodation with a family will
be offered.
It is rare to be able to rent a furnished room in a flat and if you decide to rent privately you may find yourself having to buy
everything from a bed to kitchen utensils. You will have an opportunity to review your options once you arrive.

8.3 Practicalities
-The electrical current is 110 Volts and they have the American two-prong types of plugs so make sure that you get proper
adapters for any UK appliances you bring. The 110V current means that electrical appliances that do not have dual
voltage (110V~220V) will not work. You can check this on the appliance itself.
-UK £1 is the equivalent of about Col$ 2860.00 (pesos). You can find bills of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000
pesos and coins of 50, 100, 200 and 500.
-Colombians use the metric system for weights and measures.
-Colombia is 5 hours behind GMT but does not observe daylight saving time which means that an hour must be added to
the time difference during UK daylight saving time.

8.4 Important Telephone Numbers

Country code 0057
Emergencies 123
Fire 119
Police 112
Medical emergency 125
Directory assistance 114

8.5 Holidays
Government offices and businesses are closed during public holidays. Assistants have got the same holiday
arrangements as the rest of the staff and will be paid during their holidays.

9 TRAVELLING AROUND COLOMBIA

Although the security situation in Colombia has improved dramatically in recent years, when travelling outside your home
city by road (air travel is usually considered safer) you should be aware that some areas of Colombia are still considered
dangerous and you must check the FCO’s advice on travelling (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-
overseas/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/colombia). There will be a security briefing in Bogotá during your
induction. Please always inform the British Council in Colombia, ICETEX and your mentor tutor of your travel plans in
advance.
Colombia has a well developed airline system. The main passenger airlines are Avianca, Copa, LAN, and Satena. Please
keep in mind that airfares can vary significantly. We recommend that you research and compare each company before
booking travel.

The bus system is also well developed and there are 3 different types of buses: ordinary (corriente) buses are usually
older and slower and serve side roads, 1 st class (pullman) buses are more comfortable and serve both main and side
roads and finally air-conditioned (climatizado) buses which are the most comfortable and quickest. Please check whether
it is necessary to book a ticket in advance and ask locals about buying these as prices are often haggled. All major cities
have bus terminals.

Please refer to the following FCO website driving abroad section for advice and information:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/driving-abroad

For all travel advice in Colombia please see: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-

country/south-america/colombia#localtravel. There is a lot of very useful information including road travel safety and
advice. Ensure that you read this thoroughly and check regularly.

An International Students Card (ISIC) might also be helpful to get, for example, discounts on public transport and
admissions to museums. Information can be found on www.isiccard.com

10. PERSONAL SAFETY

The FCO sections found here http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/ called “Know Before you Go Campaign”,
“Staying safe and healthy”, “When things go wrong” and “living abroad” are particularly useful but we really strongly advise
that you spend some time looking at all of the FCO website and check it regularly as there is a lot of useful and up-to-date
information provided.

Please see our website for a Personal Safety leaflet which provides an emergency telephone number as well as essential
guidelines on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations.http://www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants-looking-after-
yourself.htm Refer to the Personal Safety leaflet.

It is very important to stick to the same health and safety rules as you would at home and always heed advice given by
local people. Stay alert and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. Do not carry more cash than you need and do
not wear valuable jewellery on the street as it attracts attention. Be careful with offers of food or drink from fellow
passengers as spiking is not uncommon. It is equally important to stay informed about local and countrywide events. Read
local newspapers and check the internet, watch the news, listen to the radio and talk to people. We recommend strongly
that you do not get involved in demonstrations even if friends try to encourage you. Protests can be extremely dangerous
and this can reflect very badly on you and also on the British Council.

In the event of emergency, contact the British Council in Bogotá or the British Embassy. (Contact details can be found
above). Getting help and information locally is usually more effective and quicker than contacting the British Council in
London. The British Council and security advisers at the British Embassy have vetted all areas where assistants work.

When you arrive you will have to get an ID card issued at the local DAS office (see section 3, above) and you should have
this with you at all times. Remember to register with FCO Locate as soon as possible after your arrival.

Female ELAs should also look at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/your-trip/women-travellers

Drug-taking and drug related crime is a serious offence in Latin America. If convicted, you could be fined or even receive a
prison sentence. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be able to get you out of prison or detention, and
you will not receive special treatment because you are British. The FCO also cannot prevent the local authorities from
deporting you upon release. Furthermore you will be dismissed with immediate effect from the Language Assistants
programme, without a university report and without a reference.

11. NATURAL DISASTERS / EMERGENCIES:

The FCO also recommends that you look at the following websites and subscribe to alerts and read advice about
what to do in the event of a natural disaster/emergency and follow local advice as well as doing your own
independent research:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/terrorism

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/tropicalcyclone/index.html

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/tropical-cyclones

12. WHAT TO TAKE

Please remember that this is only a basic list and that you should by no means feel obliged to take any of the articles
listed below:

 First aid kit

 Ear plugs: the Latin American culture is a very noisy one, even at night.
 Guidebook(s).
 Plug adapter(s).
 Map(s).
 Torch.
 Waterproofs for the rainy season.
 Sun lotion/block: make sure you use a high factor as the sun is stronger closer to the equator.
 Mosquito repellent (High concentration might be useful if you’re planning on heading into the Amazon).
 If you are on the pill you might not be able to find your prescription easily.

Bedding, toiletries and home-ware can be expensive in Colombia; previous assistants have recommended bringing their
own if possible.

13. USEFUL WEBSITES

Internet cafes can be found even in smaller towns. You will probably also be able to use the internet at your school but
please check this with your mentor teacher first and find out which procedure to follow. If you chose to take a laptop,
consider insuring it/ checking your insurance covers it in case of theft/damage.

13.1 General Travel

www.lonelyplanet.com (Also check out LP’s Thorn Tree forums)
www.roughguides.com
www.budgettravel.com
www.worldtravelguide.net

13.2 Colombia
www.colombia.travel/en/ Official Tourism Guide
www.rtvc.gov.co National Press
www.copartoapto.com Room rentals
http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/ Now closed forums with plenty of good information

13.3 Latin America

www.latinnews.com Latin American Newsletter
www.latinworld.com Search Engine for Iberoamerica and the Caribbean
www.planeta.com Global Journal of Practical Ecotourism
13.4 Latin American Resource Centres
www.canninghouse.com Canning House in London
www.lab.org.uk Latin America Bureau in London
www.latin-american.cam.ac.uk University of Cambridge: Centre of Latin American Studies

13.5 Health
www.who.int World Health Organization
www.mdtravelhealth.com MD Travel Health
www.dh.gov.uk Department of Health

13.6 Official
www.colombianembassy.co.uk Colombian Embassy in London
www.britishcouncil.org British Council
www.britishcouncil.org.co British Council Colombia
www.dh.gov.uk Department of Health
www.fco.gov.uk Foreign and Commonwealth Office
www.isiccard.com ISIC Student Card
www.languageassistant.co.uk Language Assistants Website

13.7 English Teaching

http://bogglesworldesl.com English teaching resources
http://www.isabelperez.com Teaching English site with materials, workshops and links
www.onestopenglish.com Teaching tips and activities for the students
www.mes-english.com Excellent resources for beginner English
www.puzzlemaker.com Tool for making puzzles, word searches, crosswords
http://hotpot.uvic.ca/ Teaching resources and games
http://www.eslcafe.com/ Dave’s ESL café. Mixed resources.
www.shiporsheep.com English pronunciation pair work resource
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Useful website of primary resources
www.primarygames.com Advice for primary school teachers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/ Articles to discuss with students
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/news/ BBC Mundo website (world news available in Spanish and English)

13.8 Other
www.colombiareports.com News, sports
www.compartoapto.com Accommodation
http://www.pulsamerica.co.uk/  Latin American news to a global Anglophone readership

13.9

Regional specific:
CALI

http://pruebas.colombiaesmia.com/pgContenidoHome.aspx?sid=23&pid=10
http://www.caliescali.com/

BOGOTA:

http://www.culturarecreacionydeporte.gov.co/portal/
http://www.vive.in/
http://www.cartelurbano.com/