TRAVELS

CURACAO

COLOMBIAGERMANY

BELGIUM

CURACAO

COLOMBIAGERMANY

BELGIUM

TRAVELING: ESSENTIAL FACTOR IN MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT, AND THUS DEFINING WHO I AM

Santiago Castro

December 2013

• Traveling is more than moving from one place to another or to have a quick view of landscapes and architecture in new places

• It is the experience of getting temporarily involved in a new culture through people, food, architecture, politics, religion, sports, art, and history, among others

• It is the opportunity to understand, partially or completely, the people, the place, and its history

• It is also a first-hand experience with cultures from which one is able to learn and replicate positive attributes to one’s daily life

travel

verb \tra-vəl\

• to go on a trip or journey : to go to a place and especially one that is far away

• to go through or over (a place) during a trip or journey

• to move from one place to another

One of the activities I enjoy the most in my life is traveling. It has been an essential factor in my personal and professional development, and thus defining who I am

Despite of how dictionaries define “travel” or “traveling”, I have developed my own definition according to my experiences:

“Travel” definition by Merriam-Webster “Travel” definition by Santiago Castro

Personal Definition of

TravelMy Travels North America

Central America and

The CaribbeanSouth America Europe Africa

TRAVELING: ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES I ENJOY THE MOST IN MY LIFE

• United States• Mexico

North America

• El Salvador• Guatemala• Panamá

Central America

• Curaçao

The Caribbean

• Colombia• Argentina

South America

• Spain

• France

• England

• Scotland

• Belgium

• Germany

• Austria

• Czech Republic

• Hungary

Europe

• South Africa

Africa

I have had the opportunity to travel to 17 countries and to have first-hand experiences with people from a wide range of countries and regions of the world

However, there is still a whole world waiting to be discovered…

My travels:



Central America and


TRAVELING EXPERIENCES

Mexico2005

United States2007

United States 2011

Mexico’s Takeaway:If people centuries ago with a lack of

technology were able to build the pyramids, what is the world’s potential?

USA’s Takeaway:Education and research lead the country

USA’s Takeaway:Why not come back and live a

different experience in the same place?



Central America and


NORTH AMERICA (1/2) – MEXICO AND UNITED STATES

United States 2011

USA’s Takeaway:“The best revenge is massive

success” Frank Sinatra

USA’s Takeaway:History, food, and travel…

everything in one city!



Central America and


NORTH AMERICA (2/2) – MEXICO AND UNITED STATES

United States New York - 2013

Mexico2013

Mexico’s Takeaway:Teotihuacán: Impressive urban

planning

Curaçao 2010

Guatemala2010

Curaçao’s Takeaway:How can misery coexist in

paradise

Guatemala’s Takeaway:Violence can literally hamper

the economic development and foreign investment in a country,

regardless its potential

Central America’s Takeaway:Increasing purchasing power and

fragmented markets, the ideal scenario for private equity

Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador2010, 2012, and 2013

Curaçao’s Takeaway:A calculated risk is totally worth

living



Central America and


CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN – CURAÇAO, GUATEMALA, PANAMA, AND EL SALVADOR

Argentina2008

Colombia1986 - 2013

Argentina’s Takeaway:Passion for soccer can actually drive a

country

Colombia’s Takeaway:Diversity throughout the country shapes

different perspectives of lifeColombia’s Takeaway:

Opportunities that with education provided by IE can transform into

awesome projects



Central America and


SOUTH AMERICA – COLOMBIA AND ARGENTINA

Spain2003 and 2008

Scotland2007

England2007

Spain’s Takeaway:One thing crossed out from my

bucket list and ……an added value that IE offers

Spain’s Takeaway:“If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of

Giants” Isaac Newton

England’s Takeaway:Two months living a diverse multicultural

experience and an opportunity to improve my English

Scotland’s Takeaway:Lets get in-depth knowledge

about a industry in which I am completely ignorant… cheers!



Central America and


EUROPE (1/2) – SPAIN, SCOTLAND, AND ENGLAND

Germany2008

Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary2008

Germany’s Takeaway:Wounds might heal, but scars

can last for a lifetime

France2003 and 2010

Takeaway:Keeping an open

mind will allow you to explore beyond

conventional ideas and find beautiful

things

France’sTakeaway:I never thought

museums could be so enthralling



Central America and


EUROPE (2/2) – GERMANY, AUSTRIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, AND FRANCE

South Africa Johannesburg - 2010

South Africa Cape Town - 2010

South Africa Robben Island - 2010

South Africa’s Takeaway:“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your

enemy. Then he becomes your partner” Nelson Mandela

South Africa’s Takeaway:Four Nobel Peace Prize Winners,

something that must be learned and that we do need in Colombia

South Africa’s Takeaway:Mandela was 27 years in this jail: a

lesson of selflessness



Central America and


AFRICA (1/2) – SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa Cape of Good Hope - 2010

South Africa Pilanesberg National Park - 2010

South Africa Soccer World Cup - 2010

South Africa’s Takeaway:Another tick mark in my bucket list: FIFA

World Cup Final 2010 Spain 1 – 0 Netherlands

South Africa’s Takeaway:Seized the opportunity to taste new

flavors… Subtle differences have broad implications at different levels

South Africa’s Takeaway:Although it is a developing country, there is a deep respect for nature. An example

to follow



Central America and


AFRICA (2/2) – SOUTH AFRICA