4 Surprising Reasons Why Colombian Life is Better

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Colombian culture is very different to where most of us expats are from...
Although there are some big areas in which Colombia falls short of other countries - a lot of countries can learn from Colombia on certain things.
In this video we sit down to find out about Carolina's experience as a Colombian living in the US for 5 years. She shares with us 4 of the biggest lessons that other countries around the world can learn from Colombia.
G'day, my name's AK and on this channel I explore expat life in Medellin, Colombia. Whether you're considering moving to Medellin or just visiting Colombia, I've got you covered. Join me as I show you exactly what living in Medellin and Colombia as an expat is really like.
#colombia #colombians #medellin #medellincolombia #colombianos

[@MedellinBuzz]

Yep, I never washed my shoes in the US because after a few months I could just go to Target and get new Chucks for $30. Here, I have had my Chucks for years and they still look new. Great video! ❤

[@AKJoel]

Yeah I never even thought about washing my shoes back in Aus either haha

[@juanvaldez7633]

Brilliant observation especially about the heavy-handed consumer culture in the U.S. - one aspect of life there that I don't miss at all being in Colombia. And I agree that one of the very commendable things about Colombia is the appreciation for the resources that you have - particularly in instances of at least attempting to repair items that are otherwise still useful rather than automatically discarding them and rushing out to replace them.

[@AKJoel]

It's very refreshing that nobody is trying to "flex" on each other - in my opinion, that's one big problem in the US. Buy buy buy just to show that you have more than your neighbour is a toxic way to live.

[@AndresDCRealtor]

Clearly Colombia has a very healthy culture. Thanks for covering this important comparison to the USA. This is exactly why I watch and follow your channel. Muchisimas gracias!!

[@AKJoel]

My pleasure Andres!

[@gabrielalele8603]

Solid Video about the positive aspects of Colombian culture. We need more balance concerning Colombian exposure and your channel does a substantial job in providing that.

[@AKJoel]

Thanks! I'm just trying to show others why I feel in love with the country :)

[@Flitalidapouet]

The apartment looks amazing. Looks like Colombia is become what US was in the 60's (best years of US before corporations took over)

[@AKJoel]

Thanks mate - this was actually an Airbnb out in Santa Elena (about an hour from Medellin.)

[@Bravo78631]

First time visiting Colombia in 2006 taking the bus to Melgar and locals throwing their garbage out the window, yogurt packaging,chip bags,drink cans and bottles you name it and out the window so yeah Colombians taking care of what they have lol

[@user-td6fw9gv4t]

Another awesome video AK, I like when you do with your partner as good to get a different perspective. Keep up the good work !!

[@AKJoel]

Thanks mate, I like it when she's in my videos too haha

[@jameskoehler6038]

I noticed that there is almost no high fructose corn syrup used in Colombia.....that is twice as unhealthy as sugar

[@DanielReedSwe]

This is great stuff man. (I meant the last videoa actually with the uber driver) =) Anyways, I have been seeing some of your vids last days. Really "broad" and "crispy" content, if I may say so.. King! regards.

[@AKJoel]

Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@54bigray]

Nice intelligent lady .. need to meet someone like her …😎

[@AKJoel]

My advice is be patient and try to meet women at places where you have common interests.

[@JWinch]

Everything mentioned in this video is true. Or even more true. I was back in the USA for 2.5 weeks last month after being in South America the last 15 months. I was again appalled at the unhealthy exceses of life style in the US. It is somewhat less in the EU, but still quite excessive. Food, stress, buying unnecessary things, defocused attention on almost everyone but oneself, the list could go on endlessly. As for "junk food" the real problem globally (except in East Asia where culture is against it), is highly tasty, high calorie food. You won't consider grape juice to be junk food but fruit juice (which is endemic to Latin America) can be just as unhealthy because of how quickly you can consume too many calories before your body has a chance to say it is full. International food corporations are getting rich by knowingly creating the condition where people can eat too many calories for too long and they found a way to do it even to the very poor. I have seen firsthand obese people in extreme poverty in Colombia. It is a global problem. Yes America is worse because they have more money to eat even more and more money to try to counter that (usually unsuccessfully) through medicine and other health industry non-solutions. Add to that the amount of stress eating that comes from all kinds of stress all over the world...its all terrible.

[@Computadorasparatodos]

Is good to have this conversation, but as a dual citizen of the USA/Colombia I can tell you that the idea that one has to wait for the government to tell me to eat healthily, and to exercise, to do it, otherwise I won't do it is just plain silly.🤣.. .and life is "better in Colombia if you don't need to call the police because they are robbing your house, or someone is cheating you in a contract, or someone is playing music 3 or 4 days straight and you don't want to open your mouth to complain because you are afraid..." And don't get me wrong, I love Colombia, is my country too, but the idea that Colombia is some sort of paradise is for foreigners that go there because is cheaper than Silicon Valley, or some other expensive city they were leaving before they went to Colombia. Now, you need X amount of money to go there and live better than in the place you left behind, which might not seem like a lot to you, but to a Colombia making 2 times the minimum wage is a lot, and is a big problem if people finds out that you have some money in the bank (yes it has happened that bank tellers work with bandits), I read recently that about 30 people got arrested for extorting business and people, from jails!!

[@sailincat2822]

Yikes!😦 I hadn't thought about bank employees pointing out potential targets to criminals. How can this be avoided or guarded against?🤔 Is there an easy way to 'hide' passive income and savings in a safer financial institution, then transfer money as needed to a convenient bank, without drawing unwanted attention to one's financial resources?

[@Sal-rw2lc]

Great Video, Thanks, BTW... You're one lucky guy.. Hermosa Novia!!

[@AKJoel]

Haha thanks, I'm definitely very lucky 💓😊

[@talk2s5061X]

V interesting video 👌

[@AKJoel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andyatmosphere]

AND the women are beautiful!

[@54bigray]

Still don’t understand economy there and been going and living part of the year for 15 years …. This is difficult to understand because there are so many natural resources in Colombia. I have traveled around the world a lot and most Americans don’t understand real poverty. Also there are few social programs in Colombia aa compared to USA .

[@AKJoel]

The problem with Latin America is that many countries are very rich in natural resources, but all governments are corrupt and they mismanage these resources.

[@teeb1044]

Colombia isn't great in their healthcare. A while back my Colombian girlfriend was diagnosed with bipolar. She is much better now, but earlier in her life she had two suicide attempts. One time she had an issue with her lip trembling. A doctor told her to quit taking her meds to see if that would help. I told her that was dangerous to abruptly quit the meds, but she listened to the doc. She ended up having a psychotic breakdown and being hospitalized. Months later, she had an appointment with a professional and she asked for therapy. The woman told her that she didn't think she needed it because she's been stable. I was surprised and very upset. Doctors in every country make mistakes, but these mistakes were so stupid in nature... they were just flat out incompetent.

[@AKJoel]

Damn - sorry to hear that! Hope your girlfriend is doing well now.

[@teeb1044]

@@AKJoel Thanks... yep she is doing fine right now.

[@sanjayharibhaipatel]

Disagree about repairs. It is not due to lack of awareness about poverty. In US, repairs are expensive because labor is expensive. Thus discarding stuff like shoes, TVs etc. rather than repairing them. I agree, consumerism is on steroids in US. But it is lowered a little after inflation. I also agree US has excess Sugary Junk food. But even Colombians are now consuming a lot of fast & junk processed foods. Especially in Barrios compared to well off areas.

[@AKJoel]

I don't really go to the barrios so I'm not well versed in what they eat, but usually burgers, pizzas etc. are much more expensive than the traditional Colombian plates of rice, plantain, beans etc.

[@sailincat2822]

I believe a large part of the U.S. throw-away economy is due to people not knowing how to repair things, or even realizing it's possible. They don't understand electricity, or which end of a screwdriver to point at the screw. Products are designed and advertised as 'single use' and 'disposable' as though that's somehow a desirable feature. One example which shocked me is single use disposable surgical instruments (and they're crap quality).

[@JWinch]

In Germany, they also have shoe repair places. Because Germans don't like to waste money (in many more cases than in the US)

[@AKJoel]

Yeah Germans are super efficient so that makes sense!

[@jimschuler8]

7:45 ish…. BINGO! American pharmacy’s make Pablo look like an amateur. Call, text, auto refill. Personal responsibility is the answer. I think a lot of the shenanigans have been exposed recently.

[@AKJoel]

Big pharma is one of the biggest scam industries in the world

[@zmojofoot76]

Prime example is people buying multiple stanley cups

[@AKJoel]

😂😂

[@space_btwn_notes]

Not PC to say but most homeless in USA are due to mental issues + drug addiction (i have friends that work in the nonprofit space in San Francisco). Essentially no one starves to death. And if they are of sound body and mind it is pretty hard to not find ok paying work if you want it, unemployment around 3.5%. In colombia, it can truly be a battle for survival with no clear way out.

[@AKJoel]

Not PC but 100% true 👍🏾 thanks for the comment.

[@kenswindle4860]

I don't disagree about the differences you point out, but I do disagree that there is a massive government (or even non-governmental) conspiracy behind it. It is just different cultures and everything you described is explained by poor choices and capitalism. There are not evil people in some back room planning these choices. That is just not how the real world works.

[@JWinch]

True. Other than the occassional cross board ties (say a food industry person on the board of a health/medical industry company or visa versa), there are no mega corps controlling both the excessive food input and excessive health "solution" supplies and the government is run by a bunch of politicians all pursuing their own interests of staying in power. So big conspiracy just is not practical.

[@Computadorasparatodos]

Exactly, I've never waited for my government to tell me to eat better, to exercise, etc

[@AKJoel]

I first realised there's definitely something going on behind the scenes when I watched a documentary called "What the Health." It showed that the "red tick of approval" for heart healthy products (which is found on many meat products) is funded by the meat industry lol

[@sailincat2822]

I believe much of what looks like a coordinated effort to harvest money from humans like they're farm animals is Laissez-faire capitalism run amuck.

[@Cooliewhistles]

I will say truth is somewhere in the middle. A us doctor will never suggest a natural remedy, always a rx drug made by a pharm corp

[@winnipeg007]

The level of telenovelas is like Americas addiction to sugar

[@AKJoel]

😅😅

[@sailincat2822]

Very good analogy! Telenovelas are junk food for social voyeurs. At least they're not minding other people's business while they're watching TV.😁

[@andrewdalbert7078]

If I can be honest I personally disagree with the girl here, I seen levels of homelessness, drug addiction and desperation more in USA than any other country, not better than Colombia at all from this side

[@AKJoel]

Thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@aben2342]

You do aware that in Colombia most of the problems are not reported and counted, everything in Colombia is worst then the statistics,

[@AKJoel]

Problems like what?

[@shaunlindsey5132]

It only matters when it happens to them.

[@dianacazadora360]

You’re not Colombian so don’t assume you know everything about the country.

[@tanweerahmed6861]

repairing things in first world country's is not feasible financially, most of the time it cost less to buy a new one instead of repairing

[@AKJoel]

That's a fair point - as you see from my response in the video I've never even heard of repairing things when I was back in Australia lol

[@tanweerahmed6861]

@@AKJoel one more thing that other reasons are also common in less develop countries and they are not specifically for Colombian thing again due to economics for example you can find shoe and bag repairs places easily in Indian subcontinent too

[@sailincat2822]

One example I've experienced is cell phone and other battery-powered electronics glued together to make battery replacement more difficult for consumers.