Bolivia
In Bolivia, to sum up our journey, we took part in a wide range of cultural and professional experiences. We visited the Qollcas Inca Territory, saw the Cristo de la Concordia statue, toured downtown Cochabamba and La Cancha market, spoke with Bolivian entrepreneurs, and enjoyed so much amazing Bolivian food!
We also had the chance to learn deeply about CEOLI and the incredible work they do on a daily basis. During this project, I am responsible for recording video content for CEOLI’s marketing purposes, and I was able to capture so much great footage — I’m excited to deliver this video to them. Additionally, I was tasked with Professional Development, helping with CEOLI’s curriculum. We were able to get valuable feedback from teachers on what they want to see improved and how they view the current processes at CEOLI. Moving forward, we plan to partner with a school in Pittsburgh or assign this task to one of our student organizations to continue supporting CEOLI’s professional development efforts.
I believe this trip struck a perfect balance between culture and business, as I learned so much in both areas. There’s nothing I would change about the experience — except wanting to do it all over again if I could!
With all honesty, one challenge I faced was the language barrier. While we were able to work around it, I know conversations could have flowed more smoothly without that obstacle. I also believe we could have built deeper connections if the barrier hadn’t been there.
For a trip like this, I intentionally set no expectations. I didn’t want to create a scenario where, if expectations were met, I would stop seeking more, or if expectations weren’t met, I would feel unfulfilled. Instead, I chose to approach the experience with an open heart and mind, like a “kid soaking up everything like a sponge.” I wanted to absorb everything — personally, professionally, and in relation to our work — and then pour it back out through my reflections and actions. I’m proud to say it worked.
If I had to describe my in-country experience in one word, it would be “immersed.” Truthfully, AllPeopleBeHappy gave us a journal before the trip, which I originally set aside. But during the trip, I finally picked it up and read a section called “Immersion.” That word, and what it represents, shaped everything I experienced.
From the AllPeopleBeHappy team to everyday citizens, everyone welcomed us with open arms. They knew we were tourists but welcomed us with open arms — no matter where we went, even with a language barrier. The care and hospitality we received made me feel comfortable in a place where everything was different from what I knew. Again, for lack of a better word: immersed.
Key Experiences
Experience One: Professional Connections with Entrepreneurs
One of my most impactful experiences was meeting four successful entrepreneurs, arranged by Ariel from AllPeopleBeHappy. Each of them shared invaluable insights about doing business in Bolivia — lessons you cannot Google. They walked us through their journeys, strategies, and creative ways of navigating Bolivia’s economy.
As someone who thinks about entrepreneurship for my own future, hearing from them was incredibly motivating. They showed that if you believe in something and are willing to put in the effort, you can achieve it — no matter the obstacles.
Experience Two: Connecting with University Students
Another highlight was meeting students my age at a local university. Connecting with people in the same stage of life, but in a completely different context, was fascinating. They were so welcoming and kind, and I hope I helped them practice their English as much as they helped me with my Spanish.
Through these conversations, I realized that no matter where you are in the world, you’re never truly alone — there’s always someone else out there figuring life out, just like you.
Personal Keynote
One of the biggest lessons I learned in Bolivia is that life is bigger than me. Before this trip, I was caught up in my own stress, moving through life on autopilot — just meeting class deadlines and trying to push through. But this experience taught me that my problems are small in the grand scheme of life, and that the world keeps moving — so should I. Instead of letting stress weigh me down, I can move forward knowing life doesn’t pause for anyone.
Class Discussion Connection
A class discussion that really resonated with my experience in Bolivia was the conversation about understanding what it means to be a tourist. We talked about how going to another country doesn’t mean stepping into a “hero” role or trying to fully relate to a culture — because you never truly can. You will never fully understand what it means to be native as a tourist.
This reflection tied directly to how I felt while in Bolivia. Although I felt deeply immersed and welcomed, I reminded myself that I am still a tourist. I do stand out. And that’s okay. It’s okay to not fully relate. It’s okay to be an outsider trying to understand, because the goal is not to “blend in” but to learn and respect the culture you’re visiting.