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Meet Laura, a 31-year-old cosmetic product manager from La Rochelle, who took an 11-month sabbatical to embark on a working holiday in Colombia with her boyfriend. Seeking a break from routine, they chose Colombia for its warmth, vibrant culture, and welcoming people. Laura shares her experiences of the country's rich biodiversity, the kindness of locals, and the simple joys of Latin life. From scuba diving in Capurganá to exploring the lush landscapes, every moment is a new favorite memory for her. Curious about how Laura navigates the challenges and joys of her journey? Dive into her story to discover more about living life to the fullest in Colombia.
pvtistes
Hello, can you introduce yourself?
Hi! My name is Laura, I’m 31 years old. I’m originally from the small town of Ariège in the Pyrenees, but I’ve been living by the ocean in La Rochelle for the past 11 years. I work as a cosmetic product manager for the brand Eau Thermale Jonzac. This year, I wanted to take a real break, to step out of my routine, so I took an 11-month sabbatical to go on a working holiday in Colombia with my boyfriend. It’s a personal and cultural adventure that we wanted to experience together.
pvtistes
What is your WHV destination and why?
It’s Colombia, and we couldn’t be happier about it! It was an obvious choice for us for so many reasons. We were looking for a warm, vibrant country where people are welcoming, and has a rich culture of music. Here, music is everywhere: in the streets, the buses, the smiles.
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We’re both athletic, so we wanted a country that also offers amazing outdoor experiences: hiking, rafting, surfing, diving… Colombia ticks all the boxes. We also wanted greenery, lush landscapes, jungle, mountains…
But what moves us the most is the kindness of Colombians. We love the Latin vibe, where everything is lived to the fullest, wholeheartedly, in a simple and authentic way. It’s a country that embraces you.
pvtistes
What are your first impressions?
My first impressions are very positive. Three things really stood out to me:
The people: Colombians are incredibly kind, open, always ready to help you, to start a conversation in the street, or to help you fall in love with their country. So far, it’s the place where I’ve met the most welcoming people.
The people: Colombians are incredibly kind, open, always ready to help you, to start a conversation in the street, or to help you fall in love with their country. So far, it’s the place where I’ve met the most welcoming people.
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Nature: In just a month and a half, I’ve already had the chance to see an impressive range of biodiversity, including several species of monkeys, toucans, stingrays, turtles, colorful frogs… Nature is everywhere and it’s stunning.
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Food: When it comes to fruit, it’s a paradise! There’s an amazing variety of colours, flavours, and textures. On the other hand, meals tend to be quite repetitive: lots of rice, meat, or fish. To be honest, for a long stay like ours, it’s not the country where I’ve eaten the best food.
pvtistes
What’s your travel plan?
The idea is to keep exploring Colombia for a few more months, then continue the adventure through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. We don’t really have a fixed plan; we book as we go, which allows us to stay longer in places we like, or move on more quickly if the vibe isn’t right. We’re really traveling at the pace of encounters and discoveries.
pvtistes
What’s your best memory so far?
Honestly, in Colombia, we’re constantly making new favorite memories! The first waterfall, the first monkeys, the first toucans… all of that felt magical.
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But if I had to choose one, I’d say the most recent one: my scuba diving trip between Capurganá and Sapzurro. It was magical. The coral, the fish, the turtles, the colors… People often talk about the richness of the jungle on land, but underwater here, it’s the same: a real underwater forest, full of life and diversity. Witnessing all of it felt like a moment suspended in time.
pvtistes
What advice would you give to future WHV participants?
Take your time. We often feel the urge to see everything, check off every box, do it all… But the real journey is the one where you leave room for the unexpected.
- Let yourself be surprised. Slow down. Plan moments where “nothing” is scheduled, so that there is room for a spontaneous meeting, experience, or conversation to happen. It’s often in those moments that the magic happens and the trip becomes authentic and unforgettable.
pvtistes
What are your plans going forward?
To keep enjoying my WHV in Colombia to the fullest for a few more months. The continent is vast and there’s still so much we want to see.
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Then we’d love to keep the adventure going and explore other South American countries like Ecuador, Peru, or Bolivia. The idea is to keep traveling at our own pace.
pvtistes
One last anecdote to end with?
Alright, here’s a little tip from experience: if you head to Chocó (Caribbean or Pacific coast, doesn’t matter), be mentally prepared for your clothes to never dry! The humidity is such that even after several days, they stay damp and start to smell awful. And there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s a real practical (and olfactory) challenge. Pack only the essentials and bring clothes that dry easily!
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