Luca Porras completed his field practice in Colombia with the organization Batuta, which uses music to help children who have been victims of the armed conflict to come to terms with their experiences. In various regions of the country, he experienced how music, as a universal language, builds bridges, enables empowerment and can be used as a powerful tool in social work.
As a musician with Colombian roots, it was a long-cherished wish for Luca Porras to complete his internship in Colombia as part of his social work studies at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The opportunity to immerse himself in a social project through the Field Practice module was one reason for choosing HSLU-SA. Luca Porras was thus able to combine his passion for music with his training in social work. During his internship, he worked with Batuta, an organization that specializes in working with children affected by the civil war in Colombia and the associated trauma.
Batuta - Music as therapy for children who have experienced armed conflict
Batuta is a valuable network in Colombia that uses music and cultural education to help children and young people come to terms with their difficult experiences. The program is primarily aimed at children from regions that are economically and socially disadvantaged and often suffer from the consequences of many years of civil war. Music is used here as a form of empowerment to give the children a space to express and process their feelings.
Batuta’s head office is in Bogotá, but my internship took me to three very different cities: Pasto, Sincelejo and Barrancabermeja. These cities represent different parts of Colombia, where life works differently in many ways. I was particularly excited to go to remote regions that have less access to resources and cultural offerings. The project was a real challenge, but also an opportunity to learn more about Colombia’s diverse cultures and social structures.
Music as a bridge and universal language
In my role as a musician, I developed a program that uses music as a form of empowerment - as a creative way for the children to express and process their traumas. In my work, I tried not only to teach the children technical skills in music, but also to create space for their own creativity. This was often not just about developing a perfect piece of music, but rather about creating a piece of music that reflects their own experiences and emotions.
Music is very important in Colombia. It is deeply rooted in the culture, everyone knows songs and can express themselves through music. It was impressive to see how the children use this universal language to connect and communicate with each other. Especially in the more rural areas, where there is often less access to other forms of art or culture, music is an important bridge and form of expression.
Everyday life on site: schools, teachers and musical projects
My everyday life in Colombia consisted of going to schools, meeting with teachers and getting to know the children. It was important to build trust, as many of the children were struggling not only with the effects of the civil war, but also with the daily challenges of living in remote regions. I slowly built relationships and began to make music with the children, developing songs and setting them to music. At the end of the project, the children were able to present their own music - a moment that was impressive not only for them, but also for me.
I particularly remember the children’s enthusiasm when they heard their own songs that they had developed together. It was a wonderful confirmation that music really can be a powerful tool for emotional processing and empowerment. The teachers were also enthusiastic and supportive
The challenge of returning and the importance of language skills
The field practice in Colombia was not only an enriching professional experience, but also a personal challenge. It was a completely different world to Switzerland and I had to adapt to many new circumstances. Flexibility and adaptability were required here - two qualities that I was able to develop further through the field practice in Colombia. My language skills were also particularly valuable, as they enabled me to build a deeper connection with the children and teachers, and good language skills are an important prerequisite for carrying out a project of this kind in a foreign country.
My return to Switzerland raised many questions for me. The stark contrast between the two worlds - the orderly, affluent everyday life here and the challenges I faced in Colombia - made me reflect. It made me realize how different the realities of life can be and how valuable it is to reflect on these experiences and integrate them into my everyday life.
Empowerment through music and future plans
I will not soon forget the experiences I had during my internship. Working with the children and the opportunity to use music as a form of healing and empowerment have shaped me in my professional and personal development. I am now writing my Bachelor’s thesis on the topic of "Empowerment through music" and I am convinced that music can also play an important role in other social projects.
Perhaps I will go back to Colombia for a longer period of time after my studies to immerse myself even more deeply in this work. The opportunities that music can offer in social work are fascinating to me and I want to continue using them to support people.
A unique internship experience
In conclusion, I can only recommend all students to complete a field practice. It is a unique opportunity to gain an extraordinary experience during your studies and to grow not only professionally but also personally. For me, it was particularly enriching to do my field practice in a country with which I already had a connection due to my dual nationality. This experience showed me how valuable it can be not only to get to know new perspectives, but also to establish a deeper connection to my own roots. At the same time, I realized how much power there is in music and the role it can play in empowering children.
