That's because I feel saudade of Colombia

by Yasmin Winter (Brazil)

A leap into the unknown Colombia

In August, 2016, I was accepted to a university more than 400km from my city and my family. At the age of 17, I was leaving Petrópolis, a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, to live in Mariana, in the interior of Minas Gerais. In June, 2018 I was accepted into a university more than 4,000km from Mariana, where I was living for 2 years. So, I was going to live in another country, a capital, unlike anything I had ever lived, and alone. I knew that I would discover new things, learn to communicate in another language and know another culture. I was going to win new things. When I decided to exchange for a country in Latin America, I realized that I didn't know anything about Colombia. I didn't know who the president was, or who she/he would be. I didn't know Colombia history or important personalities. I didn't know the situation and laws for women or LGBTQ +. For me, Colombia was just another country in South America, with people of Latin blood and energy, as well as a great history with drug trafficking. When I arrived in the capital of Colombia, Bogotá, I understood why the focus of the Faculty of Social Communication was for Peace. The country breathes the search for peace, the history with guerrillas and drug trafficking makes people understand the value of peace. There, I learned, from Colombians who live reflections of it daily, what the guerrillas were and the impact of, for the first time in history, the FARC presenting itself as a political party participating in the elections. I got to know Bogotazo, the story of Gaitán and I saw the window through which Simón Bolívar fled. I saw Iván Duque, a Central Democrat, take over on a rainy August, 7th after beating Gustavo Petro, a leftist candidate. I saw private universities join public ones to fight for quality education at no cost with government investment. I saw elections out of season to vote against corruption. As for Brazil, Colombians don't know much either about my country. It only reinforces the idea that Latin Americans don’t know Latin America, its history and its processes. Studying in Colombia made me realize the importance of this gesture that seems so simple. And just as Colombians helped me to understand Colombia, it was great to have the opportunity to help them learn a little more about Brazil. Yes, I think I can say that I got to know Colombia and especially Bogotá. I visited tourist places, beautiful, friendly people and a wonderful culture. But I also met poor and social, political, economic problems. And I saw what gives me the most hope and makes me even more in love with Colombia: I saw people fighting and resisting. I realized that we, the Brazilians who already study and understand the importance of Latin American history and processes, need to continue resisting and encouraging others to also get to know. In Brazil, we have a word that has no translation: Saudade. Saudade is a strong feeling that you feel when you miss someone. Being away makes us feel Saudade of many things. I miss people, food, words, experiences. But it also shows us how strong we are, we can do more than we think and be who we want to be. I felt Saudade of Brazil when I was in Colombia and Saudade of Colombia when I am in Brazil. Finally, some things I learned from what I lived and from what I’m living: Enjoy all the opportunities that arise, they are unique! Use it for good, for the fight for equality and social improvement, for the search for knowledge and exchange of ideas. It is wonderful to be able to present a little of your country, discuss issues and fill the bag with more experiences. Fly higher, create memories, leave marks. The world is yours and you can be anything you want, believe it. And I share a phrase that governs my days and helps me whenever I think I might not be able to: “if you can imagine it, you can do it.” Let's imagine?