April Feature - Julia P.: How Study Abroad Builds Perspective

In this month’s feature you’ll meet Julia “GG” P., an EdOdyssey alumnae and current senior at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. She spoke with us about how travel has changed her, and you’ll see how her past experiences abroad continue to shape her and her future plans.

In this month’s feature you’ll meet Julia “GG” P., an EdOdyssey alumnae and current senior at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. She spoke with us about how travel has changed her, and you’ll see how her past experiences abroad continue to shape her and her future plans.

EdOdyssey_Immersion_Peru

GG’s START IN TRAVEL

Originally from New Hampshire, she relocated to central Massachusetts to attend Worcester Academy, a prep school in Worcester. As a student, she played hockey and jumped at any opportunity to travel.

Reflecting on her upbringing, she credits her grandma for her endless curiosity about the world. Born in Ecuador, GG’s grandmother attended college in the US, where she met her husband, GG’s grandfather, in Missouri. 

In high school, GG participated in two international adventures that remain close to her heart today. The first was to the Dominican Republic where she spent a week teaching English to students in an elementary and middle school (grades 1- 8). The second brought her to Peru with EdOdyssey.

Her time in Peru, as she recalls, was “a 10 wild days” of on-the-go adventure during her Spring Break in March 2017. The itinerary included Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu and left her feeling “renewed.” 

After graduating from Worcester Academy, she chose to continue her education just a few miles away at College of the Holy Cross. As a freshman, she walked onto the hockey team and this year, as a senior, was named captain. She is currently a Senior majoring in physics with a minor in Latinx & Caribbean Studies. 

A LOOK BACK AT PERU

Sasaywoman, the ancient Incan ruins just outside of downtown Cusco, remains a favorite. She was in awe of the architecture and still remembers the humbling feeling of exploring the ruins:

“I never felt so small.”

Four years after her time in Peru, she still vividly recalls the dew and the clouds covering the landscape and the surrounding Andes mountains in the distance. Almost all people think of Peru and Machu Picchu, but she says that these ancient ruins continue to stand out to her.

ADVICE FOR HER YOUNGER SELF

If given the chance, she was asked about what she would say to the high school version of herself.

Her advice to other younger students? Totally immerse yourself in the experience, build relationships with the rest of the group, and live in the moment.

After her trip to Peru, they had a unique common bond and she wishes that she had longer lasting friendships. 

LOOKING AHEAD IN HER CAREER

Her ambitions go beyond working in a lab, and she plans to get more involved with project & program management.

“I love physics, and I like the challenge of being a part of a major that is mostly represented by men.”

Her aspirations include traveling the world as a project manager because, as she shared:

"I want more of a world view for the rest of my life."

In preparation for graduation, some thoughts and advice came to mind that she shared with her fellow college athletes.

College of Holy Cross Hockey

STUDY ABROAD & TRAVEL TIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

GG provided us some great tips and insights for students involved in sports:

  • Have the conversation with your coach: If you’re not in season, take some time and show that it means a lot to you. She feels lucky to have a supportive coach who understands her passion for travel. 

  • Use your time management skills: Manage your time, plan ahead, and look at your courses!

  • Go solo: Coming from a college team and teammates, sometimes it can feel different to break out and go off on your own, and as GG says:

“Don’t be afraid to travel on your own.”

The pandemic disrupted her plans to study abroad and do a May-mester in Spain, but she has plans to travel after she graduates to continue learning more abroad. 

STAYING CONNECTED TO EXPERIENCES ABROAD

Her friends and family have kept the conversations alive, and their chats have fueled her future plans.

  • Friends: Sarah, a friend on campus, studied abroad in Peru and GG feels like they have stayed close because both of them connected to the Peruvian culture and experience.

  • Family: She has family in Ecuador, and her grandma came from Ecuador, so it allows her to stay connected with those experiences.

  • Future Planning: Her conversations have helped her keep travel high on her list and not lose sight of it. 

“It’s important to give travel a shot!”

LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST EXPERIENCES

When looking back at previous travel experiences, GG offers her insights and perspective:

“Travel is something that everyone can enjoy if they are presented an opportunity.”

On her past travel experiences, including EdOdyssey experience, she noticed a lot of students from different interests and backgrounds come together and really bonded throughout the experience. When asked about EdOdyssey’s reflections, she shared the following:

“I learned a lot from Peter [McGovern, President of EdOdyssey] and the way he sees the world. He was always excited.”

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She learned a lot from her younger brother, Mitchell, who reminded her to take photos with her. Their experiences together were a surprise when he opened up more than she had expected.

“My relationship with my brother grew incredible amounts in such a short period of time.”

FUTURE PLANS & ADVICE FOR HER PEERS

Experiences provide us insights into other people and their careers, and GG encourages her peers to not feel pressure for a rigid career path.

“It's important to learn from people and their experiences, but it also takes time to do that.”

She wants her peers to focus on the end goal and reflect on the fact that there won’t be one path to get there. For her, project management doesn’t exactly connect with her physics major, but she sees her past experiences as a great stepping stone for her career.

As our team and our world builds back to student travel, we hope that her experiences show that the power of travel and how it unites different parts of our lives!

Interested in being a monthly feature later this year? Fill out our monthly feature form for a chance to share your story with us and our travel community!

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Exploring the Past, Present and Future of Peru Through Virtual Study Abroad: Cultural Modules Part 1

As part of our Virtual Study Abroad program next semester, you will gain an inside, cultural perspective on Peru with our partners at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). To complement these courses, you will enjoy cultural modules that will provide you with an in-depth view of the past, present, and future of the country.

As part of our Virtual Study Abroad program next semester, you will gain an inside, cultural perspective on Peru with our partners at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). To complement these courses, you will enjoy cultural modules that will provide you with an in-depth view of the past, present, and future of the country. 

Through unique cultural module topics, you’ll learn from EdOdyssey’s local team about Peru’s intricate history, diverse geography and cultural traditions, past and present movements for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. You’ll gain insight and perspective of the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru while developing a deeper understanding of Peru.

You’ll connect valuable academic knowledge from your courses to understand a wider context for various socioeconomic factors and pressing issues affecting Peru today. 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PERU

Peru was home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The earliest signs of human activity in the country date back thousands of years, and to this day vast structures like Machu Picchu are still standing in the mountains of Peru. With such a long past marked by drastic changes, learning about the historical background of Peru from our Peruvian colleagues is sure to bring you a new perspective of the country.

One of our first cultural modules will walk you through significant changes in Peru’s past, such as the shift from empire to colony to independent country. Through this session, you will explore how dramatic events have shaped Peru into the country it is today. Gain the background knowledge you need to better understand not only the content of your courses in the virtual study abroad program, but also other cultural modules as well that explore the geographical and cultural diversity of Peru.

REGIONS & TRADITIONS

Imagine you are planning a trip to Peru. What places do you imagine?

Many people would name the large cities of Lima and Cuzco as their main destinations.

However, our Peruvian team would tell you that Lima is not Peru! The country has several different regions outside the main cities; there are towns and places on the coast, in the mountains, and within the rainforest of the country.

With so many different terrains and distinct areas, there is a lot of diversity and domestic migration in Peru. Learn about how people from different regions brought their cultural beliefs and traditions with them as they move to other places in the country!

GENDER AND LGBTQ+ RIGHTS IN PERU

Issues such as sexism, homophobia, and other types of identity-based discrimination are common around the world, and these obstacles affect millions of people every day.

Movements pushing for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and the elimination of prejudice based on a person’s identity are also becoming more widespread, and Peru is one of the countries heavily involved in these issues.

Machismo is a phenomenon that contributes to sexist and patriarchal attitudes in Peru and other Latin American countries. Through our module on gender and LGBTQ+ rights in Peru, you can learn about how machismo affects Peruvian society and how it has impacted women and the LGBTQ+ community. Learn about the past and present movements to address these issues and gain a new perspective on one of the most relevant topics in the 21st century!

PERU RIGHT NOW

In a connected world, an issue that might begin in one country can impact others around the world. This is the case with the COVID-19 outbreak, which has become a global health issue. Peru is one of the many countries affected by the pandemic, and because of this, 2020 has been a year of large-scale socioeconomic change in the country.

Learn about how COVID-19 has affected Peruvian society by fueling rumors online, forcing people who moved into Lima from more remote areas to return into the rural parts of the country, and causing massive strain on the health system. Since the pandemic is worldwide and affects each country differently, our module on Peru in 2020 is the perfect opportunity to look at how COVID-19 has impacted a place outside the United States and how present actions can affect the future of the world.

ENHANCE YOUR LEARNING

Our cultural modules are more than extra lectures outside of class: they are an opportunity to give yourself a more in-depth perspective of Peru. Your Peruvian educators will not be the only people you learn from in these sessions: you can also learn from your classmates and guest speakers in the modules! 

You will be able to view Peru not through the perspective of an American student, but through the eyes of a local Peruvian. You will gain the knowledge to navigate the complexities of different socioeconomic in the country and how they affect life in the present and future. Furthermore, you will be able to take your new cultural analysis skills and apply them to explore the issues affecting other countries in the world.

Bring your virtual semester to a new level by registering for EdOdyssey’s classes and cultural modules!

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Peruvian History and Culture: Millennia of Civilization and A Changing Future Ahead

Peruvian History and Culture may sound like a class you could enroll in at your home institution, but taking the course through a program in the actual country brings a deeper perspective and relevancy to the topic. Furthermore, the instructors from PUCP are experts in their fields who live and breathe the Peruvian experiences themselves. They teach from what they study and observe in Peru firsthand.

Studying abroad is like forming a new friendship: you start out somewhat, if not completely, a stranger. It takes a bit of time to grow familiar with the place but eventually, you begin to know the people and environment there on a deeper level and appreciate even the smallest experiences you share together. The bond you form with a place abroad is one that you will never forget and one that you will cherish long after you return home.

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That special connection comes from the newness of venturing outside of the world you grew up in. So many people have experiences and viewpoints that are so different from your own. Studying abroad challenges you to take in the perspectives of people from a different country and incorporate this new knowledge into your interpretation of the world.

A critical part of achieving this level of understanding stems from understanding the history and culture of a place. As students in a global society, we have the opportunity to learn about the deeper aspects of another nation without leaving our own home countries. We are fortunate to maintain connections with other people across the world through the internet.

This upcoming semester, EdOdyssey can bring you a special opportunity to explore the foundational aspects of a different country from people who live there. Beyond taking courses at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), one of Peru’s top universities, you can connect with your classmates through meaningful discussions and engage with guest speakers online!

PERU: A LAND OF COMPLEX HISTORY AND CULTURE

For millennia, the land that is now modern Peru has been the center of ancient civilizations. The impact that the ancient Peruvians left is so great that archaeologists are not only learning about the history of the region from their ruins and artifacts, but also about human history as a whole. Remnants of complex structures on the high mountain ridge continue to tell the tales of the country’s epic history today.

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Peru is home to the famous Machu Picchu, a 15th century Incan fortress that stands as an iconic United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. While the site dates to the time of the infamous conquest of the New World, Machu Picchu was actually spared from destruction because the conquistadors never found it after they invaded the nearby Incan capital of Cuzco.

While Machu Picchu stands as a monument of an untouched Peru, other places in the country faced decades and even centuries of conflict. In addition to exploring the history of the ancient civilizations of the Andes and the historic impact that the Age of Exploration had on the place, the course will also examine how different factors such as cultural traditions, racial and gender identity, representation in art and literature, and global relations have shaped the development of modern Peru.

NOT JUST ANY CLASS

Peruvian History and Culture may sound like a class you could enroll in at your home institution, but taking the course through a program in the actual country brings a deeper perspective and relevancy to the topic. Furthermore, the instructors from PUCP are experts in their fields who live and breathe the Peruvian experiences themselves. They teach from what they study and observe in Peru firsthand.

Out of the many courses you take in your college career, Peruvian and History and Culture is sure to be a unique one for your transcript! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn outside of class as well: we will be offering weekly modules exploring more of Peru’s history and culture!

Want to learn more about virtual study abroad?

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What Makes EdOdyssey Study Abroad Excursions Special

From my study abroad semester-long experience in Peru through EdOdyssey, some of the most memorable parts of my experience were from the excursions that were a part of the program. Initially, I thought that these excursions would be fun trips, but I did not realize the how all-encompassing, holistic nature of each location and vast difference in landscape that these respective areas have in Peru they would be.  

This is me, Jake Leary, exploring Peru’s jungle!

This is me, Jake Leary, exploring Peru’s jungle!

From my study abroad semester-long experience in Peru through EdOdyssey, some of the most memorable parts of my experience were from the excursions that were a part of the program.

Initially, I thought that these excursions would be fun trips, but I did not realize the how all-encompassing, holistic nature of each location and vast difference in landscape that these respective areas have in Peru they would be.  

Pre-Paid & Pre-Planned? Yes!

During each of the excursions to Ica, Cusco, and Iquitos I never had to worry about any aspect of the trip, as everything was all-inclusive. I bought a few souvenirs to take home with me, but other than that, everything was set!

What made the excursions even more enjoyable was the incredible and knowledgeable EdOdyssey team. After each excursion, I learned a great deal about each of the different regions of Peru (the desert, the mountains, and the jungle), and came out of my experience with lasting friendships and a new perspective of Peru.

Taking a swim in the Amazon river!

Taking a swim in the Amazon river!

Ica: Welcome to the Peruvian Desert

A delicious meal of carapulcra con sopa seca.

A delicious meal of carapulcra con sopa seca.

The first excursion out of Lima was to the south to Ica. My first impression upon arriving to Ica was how sunny and warmer it was compared to Lima. 

One of the first things we did was eat a delicious meal of carapulcra con sopa seca. This dish consists of a stew of pork and dehydrated potatoes with pasta and dry soup (sopa seca). 

The highlight of the trip was sandboarding in the desert of Ica, something that I had never done before. I did not picture myself laying stomach-down on a board flying down the hills of Ica, but it was one of the most exhilarating experiences! 

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Ica is home to one of the world’s only oases in the world, called Huacachina. This was a beautiful sight, with views from the desert looking down on the oasis. While we were riding in a dune buggy through the desert, I witnessed the most beautiful sunset and the sky had a natural purple tone to it. 

What I took away from this excursion was that adventure can truly be a part of new experiences abroad. I had never really done any adrenaline-rushing activities like sandboarding, but I am glad that I went out of my comfort zone and flew down those hills in Ica.       

Iquitos: Experiencing the Jungle 

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The next destination was to northern Peru in the jungle of Iquitos. Continuing on the theme of adventure, this excursion was filled with adventurous activities. 

Whether it was fishing for piranhas in deep black water of the Amazon and then frying them to eat or going for a swim in the Amazon River with dolphins nearby, there was never a dull moment in the jungle. 

My favorite part was listening to our guide’s stories about the jungle, including fantastical ones and his own first-hand accounts of life in the jungle. He would tell us these stories as we cruised through the tributaries of the Amazon, taking in the nature and wild animals along the way.

Hanging out with a sloth!

Hanging out with a sloth!

My experience in the jungle also taught me how fortunate and privileged most of us truly are. Homes and communities in the jungle are not the most advanced and do not have a lot of the amenities and infrastructure that many may be accustomed to. 

Recognizing this, it was meaningful to experience how life in the jungle can be difficult, between blazing hot heat at times and torrential downpours at another. Nonetheless, I enjoyed every minute of Iquitos, including the slightly terrifying moments of holding a python and a sloth!

Cusco & Machu Picchu: The Ancient Land of the Incas

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The last of the excursions was to majestic Cusco and Machu Picchu. Many may have an image in their head of what Machu Picchu resembles, but the full feeling is experienced in person. 

Before arriving to Machu Picchu, there were many other excursions to the surrounding area. These included visiting an indigineous village, where we were able to learn some handcrafting techniques for textiles and enjoyed a homemade meal with the people of the village. 

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Another site that stood out to me was Las Salinas de Maras (pictured left), home to beautiful salt flats in the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Smaller trips led up to our visit of Machu Picchu, which was breathtaking in every way.

Sacred Valley of Peru.

Sacred Valley of Peru.

Through this excursion, I learned a lot about the history of the Sacred Valley and the Incas. I also experienced the feeling of seeing my first Wonder of the World, which exceeded my expectations.

Compared to the sheer size of the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu, I felt smaller than ever, but I could understand why this area was on significance to the Incas.  

Peru: Land of Adventurous Opportunities

All of these excursions showed me different parts of Peru, from the food, adventure, and history. These excursions shaped my life have shaped my life by making because they’ve made me break out of my shell and seek more adventure in my travels. 

Visiting Machu Picchu.

Visiting Machu Picchu.

I never thought that a trip to the jungle or desert would bring out my wild, adventurous side, but I am glad it added some spontaneity to my life. Peru is diverse, and the best way to understand this diversity is to go on excursions like those of EdOdyssey.

Anytime I think back to my experiences in Peru, I cannot help but smile and reflect on how worthwhile of a trip it truly was.  

If I were to talk to someone who is considering going to Peru, I would tell them to go in a heartbeat. I would advise them to not only stay in one place or city, but to travel around the great and diverse country that is Peru. They will not regret a moment. 

Want to learn more about the epic Cusco and Machu Picchu semester finale? Check out it here!  And Learn more about studying abroad in Peru with EdOdyssey.

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Seven Reasons You Can't Miss Cusco

The history of Cusco has transcended time and still lives and breathes through its people, places and animals. Centuries ago, The Incan Empire was spread throughout South America as one of the world's largest tribes, and Cusco held the status as the capital of the Incas. Before the Spanish came in the 16th century, the empire covered Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and northern parts of both Chile and Argentina.

The history of Cusco has transcended time and still lives and breathes through its people, places and animals. Centuries ago, The Incan Empire was spread throughout South America as one of the world's largest tribes and Cusco held the status as the capital of the Incas. Before the Spanish came in the 16th century, the empire covered Peru, a large part of Chile, and smaller parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina.

Although Cusco is a major Peruvian city with roughly half a million people, it has held onto its identify and the Cusqueños (or people from Cusco) have held onto their past to create a present-day culture that embraces their community-first mentality.

We encourage schools to include Cusco on their itineraries because it gives a wider idea about Peruvian culture. Here are seven reasons you can’t miss out on Cusco:

Photo courtesy of Kyle Janko (Matignon HS)

Photo courtesy of Kyle Janko (Matignon HS)

1. History of Spanish Influence  

The Spanish conquest of the Incan empire in the middle of the 16th century changed the face of culture in Peru, and especially in the Incan capital. When the Spanish came to Cusco, they converted the people to Catholicism and they changed their former places of Incan worship into churches and cathedrals.

In Cusco’s main Cathedral, it has paintings that were made with European-style canvases and paints that depicted Jesus Christ. In those same pictures, they have typical aspects of Peruvian culture. For example, Jesus and his disciples have the Last Supper, but in the middle of the table, there is a guinea pig - a typical and traditional food still eaten in Cusco today.

Photo courtesy of Kyle Janko (Matignon HS)

Photo courtesy of Kyle Janko (Matignon HS)

2. Iconic Animals

When we think of animals in major cities, we normally don't consider anything other than cats and dogs but it's a different story in Cusco. The Peruvian people in the former Incan capital still allow alpacas, llamas and vicuñas in and around their most popular areas.

From ancient Incan ruins to sometimes even the city center, you can find them in the most unexpected places, including Machu Picchu. You can see people walking with these animals in Cusco and surrounding areas as a part of the community.

Saqsaywaman Cusco - Peru (Matignon 2019)

3. Architecture & Landscape

The awe-inspiring structures, both natural and man made, will have you wonder about these places came into existence. In past programs, we’ve enjoyed taking a short ride just outside of Cusco to Saqsaywaman to understand the ancient Incan history.

In this fortress - a name given by the Spaniards who conquered Cusco - we learn about how the Incan people created this area of worship with boulders and stones weighing tons. They took tree trunks to roll the stones into place in order to avoid erosion and to create a stable area for farming. The best way to really comprehend it is to see it!

4. Amazing Coffee

Peruvian coffee is some of the best in the world, and there's no better place to try it than Cusco. At an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the coffee beans don't break down as easy and they don't oxidize as fast so the coffee beans stay fresher for longer.

When coffee tastes bitter, it's flavor comes from an acidic coating that develops around the bean which shrinks the bean and changes the natural flavor. However, in Cusco, the coffee stays fresher for longer and you can taste the difference!

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5. Artistic Influence

In Cusco, you'll find ceramics and hand made goods from local experts and professionals who have learned these ancient traditions from family members. In our programs, we like to include a visit to a ceramics workshop where we learn how to make pottery and decorate ceramics from professionals. These professionals show special techniques that have helped our students create their piece!

6. The Location

The city is located high in the mountains in the region of the Andes Mountains, one of the longest mountain ranges in the world. The location of Cusco gives great access to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

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The trip to Machu Picchu gives a real look at the transition from the city of Cusco, Andres mountains and finally to the surrounding jungle-like area around these famous ancient ruins. The area of Machu Picchu was actually discovered just over a hundred years ago after centuries of being hidden and closed off from the world which gives us a glimpse into the knowledge and power of the ancient architecture surrounding the ruins!

7. The Local Vibe

One of the Cusco area’s best kept secrets is hidden in the Amaru community. This tribe is located about an hour outside of Cusco city where we learn how they make traditional clothes and how they cook typical foods, such as their famous huatia potatoes.

Amaru Visit - Peru (Matignon 2019)

Additionally, we learn traditional dances and get a real look into life in one of the largest tribes in Peru with over three million people!

If you’re interested in hearing more about Peru, check out our blog Understanding The Keys of Peruvian Culture to get an even more in depth look at what makes the country one of the most beautiful places in the world!

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EdOdyssey's Epic Six Day Finale For Fall Study Abroad 2018

We always save Cusco for the end because at the end of every study abroad semester in Lima because it’s a special way for our local staff at EdOdyssey to wrap up an emotional semester abroad with our students. As a final touch, this past semester our study abroad students took an amazing trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu with Patty, our Peruvian Program Coordinator.

Every semester our study abroad program includes three excursions to make sure students return home with the most holistic glimpse of Peru. As one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world, it has 84 of the 108 ecosystems and 28 of 32 possible climates. Wouldn’t you want to see and experience as many as possible?

We always save Cusco for the end because it’s a special way for our local staff at EdOdyssey to wrap up an emotional semester abroad with our students. As a final touch, this past semester our study abroad students took an amazing trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu with Patty Valencia, our Peruvian Program Coordinator.

We want to give you all a quick look back at what our end of semester trip with our students looked like this past fall semester because we wanted to leave our students with a fantastic send off with the most authentic look at life in Peru.

Day 1 - The Arrival: Mental & Physical Preparation  

During the first day in Cusco, the students and our team took it easy and stayed in the city of Cusco. At an altitude of around 11,000 feet, they got adjusted to the local feel. This first day, they acclimated to the local climate. The next five days involve an emotional roller coaster packed with visiting more than five cities, two trains, countless hours of hiking, an experience with a shaman and a meal that they’ll never forget.

Day 2 - Hospitality & Haggling: The Local Experience

Amaru Visit - Cusco Trip.JPG

They visited one of the nearby local Amaru communities and saw what it’s like to live like a location. They saw a presentation in Quechua - the local language in the village - and the community members had the students dress in the local attire. During their day in the community, they learned how to harvest beans and how the locals add their bright colors and designs to the typical clothing.

It wouldn’t have been a trip to the local community without some local hospitality. The locals had them try some of their famous local potatoes, natural teas, and quinoa to later show them some local goods in case they wanted to buy anything.

After the students learned how to live like the locals, they put a semester’s worth of Spanish to the ultimate language test: bargaining and buying at the local artisanal market. Patty told us that it was the first time that she saw such a big group of visiting students haggle over prices, and her reaction was priceless:  

Incredible! It was the Spanish immersion talking!
— Patty Valencia, EdOdyssey's Program Coordinator
Feeding Llama - Peru

After they bought an assortment of goods that ranged from fun pants to Peruvian-style sweaters the group visited a farm with alpacas and llamas where they got to feed them! As they took the road to Machu Picchu, they made a few stops along the way. Now, if you go by yourself or with an agency, you would probably go straight to the town where Machu Picchu is, but you’d miss a wild ride!

Day 3: Four Cities, Marching Toward Machu Picchu

Salt Pools - Las Maras

On the third day, the group went to see the famous salt pools in Maras that are world-known Peruvian pink salt, as seen above. Later, they had lunch in Urubamba and saw the ancient ruins in Ollantaytambo before catching the train to Aguas Calientes. While on the train, everyone started to look over their pictures taken during their jam-packed trip, but one of the students stopped Patty to ask:

How can you look at photos right now and miss one of the most beautiful train rides ever?

Needless to say, everyone put their cameras away as they began to leave the mountainous region of Cusco and approached the wilderness and jungle on the way to Machu Picchu.   

Day 4 - Finally Arrived: Machu Picchu

Michu Picchu

Some students woke up earlier and took another route up to Machu Picchu known as “La puerta del sol”, or sun gate. They communicated with Patty through WhatsApp as they took an alternative route with marked signs that lead up to “The Old Peak”, which is the translated name of Machu Picchu from Quechua to English.

After they arrived to the peak, they learned about the ancient history behind the ancient Incan civilization and how it was rediscovered. After hiking all day, they took their market haggling to the next level to get some local souvenirs before taking the ride from Aguas Calientes to Cusco where they slept.

Day 5 - An Evening With A Shaman & Guinea Pig dinner

Seven Colored Mountain

In the morning, some rested while others others enjoyed going to the seven-colored mountain. In the afternoon, the farewell was a special event with a local shaman that performed a ritual that read into their respective futures in private that left them as happy as well as fascinated.

After they enjoyed partaking in ritual, they went to try one of the local delicacies - guinea pig. They tried it but we think that one time was enough!

Day 6 - The Final City Tour, The Predestined Farewell

They did a quick tour of Cusco before heading home to the United States. As fate would have it, their flights got delayed. They took that time with Patty to recount their orientation, their trips, and to reflect on everything that they learned during their time in Peru. One of the students reflected in their excursion to Ica where the students spent the nights in tents in the dessert and under the stars as one of their favorite moments of the semester.

We hope that all of our students come away with moments that make them feel the magic of another culture. Whether they enjoy the more quiet moments or the unsettling moments that challenge their comfort zone, the entire experience has taught us that we have to appreciate the moments with the people around us.

Ready to take the leap to see Peru with us?

Check out our EdOdyssey Study Abroad Page for more information!

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