Nick, Manisha, Mariane and Erin are living and serving in Arequipa, the second-most populous city in Perú. The city of Arequipa is located in southwestern Perú, between the coastal desert and the Western Andes. It is surrounded by three volcanoes and is a popular tourist destination because of its…
Our group spent the last week of the study portion in Cusco and the surrounding region known as the Sacred Valley. This region formed the heart of the Inca Empire which flourished in Perú from around 1400-1533 and extended along the Pacific coast of South America from…
This week was spent enjoying our few remaining days in Lima, as well as looking ahead to the adventures that await outside of Lima in the coming weeks. This week, we completed our schedule of lectures and classes. On Monday, we heard a lecture on religious syncretism in Peru…
The names of the dead and disappeared from Peru’s 20-year conflict line the walls of an exhibit hall at the Lugar de la Memoria. This was a tiring week for us, both physically and emotionally. A large portion of the group was struggling with intestinal problems over…
Aidan watches carefully as Camilo Ballumbrosio demonstrates a rhythm on the cajón peruano. This week we took a break from traditional lectures as we further explored the arts in Perú. From painting ceramics, to dancing to the Marinera Norteña, to playing the cajón, we had…
Students pose with artist Victor Delfin inside his studio in Barranco. This week, we enjoyed lots of time outside the classroom. On Monday, we spent the morning in the district of Barranco, where we visited the home of Peruvian artist, Victor Delfin. At different points in…
Rachel, Aidan, Talia, Makena, Ian and Greta are ready to dive into Spanish under the direction of Professor Moises. On Monday morning, students began the study portion of SST in earnest. In addition to beginning their Spanish classes, they heard lectures on Peruvian history since its independence,…
We have spent a packed three days here in Lima getting ourselves ready to meet the delights and challenges that await us this semester. We have practiced public transportation, made purchases using a new currency, ordered in restaurants, and had many new words rolling around on our tongues…
Our 18 students arrived safely in Lima just a little bit after 10:30 p.m. After gathering up their luggage (and snapping this photo), we promptly delivered them to a hostel near our home. In the morning, we will walk them to our house, where we will begin an…
On Saturday morning, we left for Kawai, a retreat center about two hours south of Lima. We had time to share our stories, reflect on what we have experienced, and to prepare for our return home. Students also presented their research projects which showcased their areas of interest and…
