DASNR
International
Student of the Week
Home Country:
Colombia
Colombia : Officially the Republic of Colombia (Spanish: República de Colombia), is a country located in the northwestern region of South America. Colombia is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the North by the Atlantic Ocean, through the Caribbean Sea; to the north-west by Panama; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Besides the countries in South America, the Republic of Colombia is recognized to share maritime borders with the Caribbean countries of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
Colombia is the 26th largest nation in the world and the fourth-largest country in South America (after Brazil, Argentina, and Peru), with an area more than twice that of France. In Latin America, it is also the country with the third largest population after Brazil and Mexico.
Colombia is a standing middle power with one of the largest Spanish speaking populations of the world, large recognition among world's culture and is also one of the largest manufacturers of South America. Colombia is also one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the South cone, product of large-scale migrations during the XX century which has caused a dramatic population growth since then.
Colombia 's economy is fueled by abundant natural resources, a highly literate population and relatively high-valued currency. Colombia's main exports include manufactured goods (41.32% of exports), petroleum (28.28%), coal (13.17%), and coffee (6.25%). Colombia is the largest exporter of plantains to the United States. Sugar, also important, is grown chiefly in the Cauca Valley. Many varieties of bananas are grown; bananas for export are produced in the Uraba and Santa Maria regions. Colombia is the world's third-largest banana exporter (after Ecuador and Costa Rica) and supplies about one-sixth of the world export market. Corn, yucca, plantains, and, in high altitudes, potatoes have been traditional food staples since before the Spanish conquest. Beans, rice, and wheat, introduced in the 19th century, are also important in the diet. Other export crops include fresh-cut flowers, cotton, and tobacco. Cocoa is produced in limited amounts for domestic consumption. Colombia produces much of its domestic food requirements, but it has to import wheat, barley, fats, oils, and cocoa. 90% of Valentine’s flowers comes from Colombia.
(Source: Wikipedia and Encyclopedia of the Nations)
Fredy Hernan Ballen-Orozco
September 23, 2008
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From the Department of Agricultural Economics
This week’s international student of the week is Fredy Hernan Ballen-Orozco. He is a first year Master's Degree student in Agricultural Economics. Fredy was born in Bogota, the capital of Colombia. He speaks Spanish and English.
Above: Fredy and his wife Lorena Fredy is an Agronomist Engineer from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Campus in Bogotá. He came to the US to pursue graduate education. He first came to Miami to learn English; and even though it is not the usual place for Spanish speakers to learn English, still something can be learned there. He chose OSU because he likes the department; it focuses on solving problems, not only in theory; it has a good balance between theory and applied economics. Ag. Economics also offers several areas of specialization and one of them is agribusiness which is the one Fredy wants to pursue.
Fredy likes to walk outdoors, BBQs, and also he is an amateur photographer. Fredy is married to Lorena who is from Uruguay -, they met in Miami. Fredy has a sister and a brother. His sister and his father are living in Colombia, and his mother and his brother are living in Miami.
Above: Fredy and his family Before Fredy came to the USA he was working for CORPOICA (Colombian Corporation of Agricultural Research); where he collaborated in a program related to generation and technology transfer for sugarcane.
Fredy’s future plans are to go back to Miami to work for an international marketing company. He thinks that the Free Trade Agreements with Latin America offer several opportunities in his area of expertise. Advisor: To be announced Fredy’s advice to students: “Here at OSU you have an incredible opportunity to learn from other cultures and at the same time share yours. It is a value added to your academic experience.”
Above: Gold Museum in Bogota
Downtown Bogota Interview by Sandra Rodriguez
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