Although learning bachata and merengue will be an important part of your education in Colombia, unfortunately you can’t just study dance and Shakira songs at Colombian universities (but definitely do so at home). With many reputable higher education institutions, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a course that matches your major.

Colombia has a varied history which lends itself to many academic pursuits. Conflict studies, for example, is highly relevant in the context of the civil war that has afflicted the country for so long, even though the country’s issues ares now in the process of being resolved for good. Studying economics is also interesting in a developing country like Colombia, which has seen so many positive changes in recent years. Choosing Latin American studies or Spanish are, obviously, great ways to understand more of the country that will soon be your adopted home.

Although there are some English-taught study abroad programs in Colombia geared toward international students, the majority of courses will use Spanish as the language of instruction. On top of that, English is not widely spoken in Colombia. You will need at least a basic grasp of the language to go about day to day life, so a Spanish language course (or two, or three) is a good idea for anyone not confident in their language skills prior to studying in Colombia.

Universities are often heavily based on research and love welcoming international students with a desire to study abroad in Colombia. The National University of Colombia, located in Bogota, has the largest offering of academic programs and is considered the top university in the country. The University of the Andes, also located in Bogota, is one of the best private institutions in South America, and it is the only private school in the country with national accreditation. In Medellin, the University of Antioquia boasts massive research facilities and is projected to surpass the rest of Colombia in research based programs.