Alejandro Hurtado, an Industrial Engineering student from Universidad de los Andes (UniAndes) in Colombia, chose Stellenbosch University (SU) for his semester abroad to step outside his comfort zone and experience a completely new environment — becoming the first Colombian student to study at SU. At SU, Alejandro broadened his studies by combining courses in culture, history, and science, including Marine Sciences and the Global Education Programmes (GEP) modules, which helped him connect with South Africa’s rich diversity and learn valuable lessons in independence and self-growth. Alejandro’s exchange marks the beginning of a new partnership between SU and UniAndes, paving the way for future student mobility and academic collaboration between South Africa and Colombia — strengthening ties between the Global South and expanding opportunities for intercultural learning.