ON May 31, 2025 / BY EDITORS GEORGE DAVEY & SHIBRA KHAN / LEAVE A COMMENT

Every year, The Brunel Writer Prize is awarded to the student with the highest graded article submission for the Creative Industries module on Brunel University’s Creative Writing Programme. Shibra Khan was a runner-up for The Brunel Writer Prize 2025 with her travel memoir, Colombian Chronicles: A Mature Student’s Adventure.

Universidad del Rosario art studio, Bogota. Photo by Diana R.

My journey of self-discovery took an unexpected turn in 2024. Amidst the whirlwind of my husband’s parliamentary campaign in 2024 (let’s just say #YesWeKhan was trending harder than my sanity), an invitation to join the Colombian study trip was like a serendipitous dream within a dream. I never imagined this journey would become a crash course in ‘Me, Inc.’, learning more about myself as a mature student than the captivating country itself.

El Dorado International Airport, Bogota              First introductory class at the University of Rosario. Photos by University of Rosario staff

As a seasoned wordsmith embarking on my third degree in Creative Writing, learning Spanish, my fifth language, felt like a thrilling new chapter. I craved more than just postcard moments. I yearned to fully immerse myself in Colombian culture: savouring soul-nourishing dishes like, ajiaco, empanadas and arepas; exploring its vibrant literature and the rich history of its indigenous lands; and experiencing the music that flows from six distinct regions, moving into the rhythms of salsa and cumbia, to the sounds of guacharaca and maracas. From the coasts of the Caribbean to the Pacific, I longed to feel the unifying power of its melodies, the renowned art, gold museums and witness the vibrancy of Rosario Square.

Villa De Leyva, Colombia Photo by University of Rosario staff Fruit Market, Bogota

From the exhilarating first hola of the Spanish lesson to the poignant adios in the Arts and Literature class, echoing the profound themes of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, the halls of Rosario University were alive with an undiminished excitement. Waking up at 5 AM for Tinto (that magical Colombian coffee) might have tested my sanity, but the early night reflections at 10 PM provided a welcome balm for my middle-aged bones. I learned valuable life lessons, like the fact that washing machine tokens are a renewable resource (who knew?). Age, I discovered, isn’t just a number; it’s a dotted line connecting wisdom and increasingly peculiar experiences like getting gloriously, hilariously lost on the very first day of my trip.

A beautiful mural painting, Bogota                Photographed by author, Gold Museum, Bogota

Imagine me, a Shibra, stumbling into the Colombian wonderland, wide-eyed, where my ‘true self’ was redefined not as some intrepid explorer but as a sloth masquerading as a human. The vibrant rows of exotic local fruits like guanabana and lulu, paired with the eye-catching Embera beadwork crafted by Chami Tribe artisans in the streets of Bogotá, were an exhilarating sensory overload.  In the main market of downtown Bogota, hawkers tempted me with guarapo with a hint of limón, a sugarcane juice so delicious I almost licked the llamas, nonchalantly parading around Botero’s plump sculptures as if they were auditioning for a surrealist art film. This unforgettable experience stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of both Brunel and Rosario universities.

University of the Rosary, Bogotá    Photographed by the author & University of Rosario staff    Innovation and Entrepreneurship campus

This trip was a much-needed escape from the everyday grind of mature student life, balancing studies, family, and a social life that often revolved around debating the merits of healthy eating. Tejo, a beloved Colombian sport of throwing metal disks at a circular target, earned me the prestigious title of ‘Queen of Tejo’ (much to the amusement of my tender muscles). My creativity was reignited by the vibrant street art of Bogota, where the secret language of graffiti left me marvelling at the inventiveness of the mural’s artistry.

Winning at Tejo is always fun     Photographed by the Brunel University of London staff                     Lake at Villa De Leyva

Beyond the responsibility of representing my university, this Colombian adventure was a crash course in ‘Adulting Plus 101’, forcing me to balance academics with real-world demands. Climbing Bogota’s challenging hills, I learned that pushing my limits, both physically and mentally, can be incredibly rewarding. The whimsical charm of Villa de Leyva and the serene beauty of San Andres offered much-needed respite from the constant hum of academic stress. This trip instilled renewed confidence and a deeper appreciation for cultural exchange. I encourage fellow mature students to seize this opportunity; you might return a more well-rounded (no pun intended), slightly less stressed, and infinitely more enjoyable version of yourself. And who knows, you might even learn something about life you can’t find in any textbook.

Shibra Mariam Khan is a multilingual poet, writer, and community educator. Her journey has taken her from Pakistan to Norway and now to West London. She currently supports Syrian and Afghan refugees in integrating into their local communities. She is passionate about exploring her poetic voice as a global citizen, reflecting on her diasporic identity and the challenges of living across borders. Shibra co-edits the Brunel Writer blog and enjoys writing her reflections while travelling. Her interests include wholesome nutrition, advocating for social justice, and embracing the transformative power of language.
Stay connected with her latest writings via Instagram: @shibra_kh