In a metro training center in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, 39 young Colombians study control panels, diagnose system faults and practice emergency responses — part of a program that could reshape public transportation in their home country.

They are the second group of trainees selected for a year-long metro operations course designed to support Bogota's first subway line.

Chosen from over 2,000 applicants in October 2024, the students have backgrounds in construction machinery, urban transportation and related fields from Colombia's leading universities. They are trained by Xi'an Metro Company as part of this flagship international project.

The program is tied to Bogota Metro Line one, a 23.96-kilometer route that will connect the capital's southwest and north. In 2019, a Chinese consortium led by Xi'an Metro and China Harbour Engineering Company won the international bid to operate and maintain the line. It marks China's first metro construction and operations project in the Americas.

Valued at over 5 billion yuan ($700 million), the project is considered a landmark case of Chinese infrastructure collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.

"China's metro systems have developed rapidly," said Hou Jingjing, head of Xi'an Metro's training and consulting center. "We're confident we can pass on that expertise through this program."

The course blends classroom theory with hands-on experience, following a tailored model integrating enterprises, universities and experts. It covers the full chain of urban rail operations, from equipment manufacturing and signal debugging to service etiquette.

Spanish-language materials were specially prepared, carrying forward China's standardized international training for metro professionals overseas.

The trainees said that the program is both demanding and transformative.

"The training is tough but incredibly rewarding," said Jessica, a mechanical engineering graduate from Boyaca. "It's helpful to connect theory with real-world practice, but learning Chinese has definitely been a challenge. The interpreters and tutors helped us."

Language barriers and cultural differences have tested the group, yet many said they have come to embrace Chinese culture. They find themselves at home in Xi'an, visiting sites, experiencing cultural events and savoring Chinese food.

For those who have completed the program, the learning continues.

Jeffson Paolo Martinez Arcila, a member of the first cohort's 10 trainees, will return to China after working for six months in Colombia. He spent 14 months with Xi'an Metro and will now take part in advanced training to prepare for Bogota's metro operations.

"My time in China helped me grow not just as an engineer, but as a person pursuing the best," Martinez said. "I learned how discipline, teamwork, and innovation come together to create something truly world-class."

He views his return not just as a personal opportunity, but a national responsibility. "Bogota Metro is the most ambitious infrastructure project in our history," he said. "I feel honored to play a part in it. What I learn in China will help develop Colombia's transit."

Eight Chinese engineers from Xi'an have relocated to Colombia to support the construction and upcoming launch, scheduled for 2028. The Xi'an Metro Company is also planning to cooperate with local schools and carry out regular training on rail transit.

To both sides, the project is more than just a metro — it's a long-term partnership built on shared knowledge, mutual respect and a vision for connected cities.