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Study Abroad Center, 3224 Memorial Union, (515) 294-6792
In the Footsteps of the Incas, Peru An Iowa Regents' Summer Program The Iowa Regents' Universities offer a summer Spanish language and culture program with service-learning in Cusco, Peru.
The program
In the Footsteps of the Incas is eight weeks in duration. Students study Spanish intensively for seven weeks and engage in service-learning throughout the program. All participants live with a Peruvian host family selected by ProPeru and are provided with 3 meals per day.
Itinerary: Students leave Iowa for Lima, Peru, on May 25 and return home July 22, 2010. Excursions included in the program are to Machu Picchu and numerous Incan ruins in the Cusco area. An optional 4-day excursion to the Peruvian jungle and a 2-day excursion to Lake Titicaca are not included in the program fee.
Academics: Students enroll in Spanish language courses appropriate to their level. Up to 6 credits for Spanish language and Peruvian history/culture and up to 3 credits for service-learning may be earned (up to 9 total credits). Applicants should consult with their home university to find out how credits will apply.
Service-Learning: Students must be able to function in a Spanish-language environment. In consultation with community leaders to assess community assets and projects that they want us to work with them to accomplish, ProPeru will provide service-learning experiences at selected sites. Assigned readings and group and individual reflection are included in the for-credit course, LAS 491: Service-Learning. A final project must be approved by the Program Director.
Program costs $5,700 is the estimated program fee based on 8 participants. (Cost per student is reduced with increased participation.) Airfare to Cusco (not included in program fee) is about $1,000. A portion of your Program Fee goes to fund the community development projects of ProPeru and their partner communities. Incidental and personal expenses need to be budgeted individually.
Please check at your home university for a final program budget, as additional study abroad fees apply.
Cost of an optional 4-day jungle excursion is approximately $550, including round-trip airfare between Cusco and Puerto Maldonado. Another optional excursion to Lake Titicaca costs about $150.
Peru overview The physical and cultural landscapes of Peru are quite diverse. Participants are exposed to a wonderful people whose lives are full of beliefs and customs that are intriguingly different from those we are used to in the U.S.
Peru's phenomenal landscapes (coast, mountains, and jungle), colonial architecture,indigenous cultures, and the legacy of its ancient civilizations combine with an interesting political climate to offer an extraordinary context for learning. While there are many tourists in Cusco, our homestays and service-learning partners expose us to parts of the culture and people that most tourists never see.
The city: Cusco at a glance Known as the navel of the Inca Empire, Cusco has many museums, a lively central plaza, shops, and restaurants. The city has an energetic feel despite its old-fashioned look created by the numerous ancient mansions and colonial churches.
The indigenous population maintains its history, customs, and colorful dress. Locals and visitors are attracted to the markets where food, textiles, and other products are sold in barter fashion.
The school: Centro Bartolomé de las Casas The Centro Bartolome de las Casas (CBC) was founded in 1974 to provide space for Andean communities to become actively involved in their own destiny. The CBC has three main programs. These programs have been successful in educating and creating an ideal environment to further academic research and cultural interchange. Professors are native Spanish speakers with Master's or Ph.D. degrees and are faculty at the local university in Cusco.
Application and selection Students must have completed at least four semesters of college-level Spanish with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Application deadline is February 1. Interviews will be conducted to screen for linguistic ability and assess service-learning interests. For students at the University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa, interviews may be conducted by phone.
For more information: Nancy T. Guthrie, Study Abroad Center, Iowa State University, nguthrie@iastate.edu, (515) 294-6792. Photos (from top to bottom) Summer 2008 participants at Machu Picchu Festival in Cusco Stove construction near Cusco Souvenir stands in Ollantaytambo Ruins at Pisac
Brochure
