South America

Ecuador & Peru

Language study, cultural immersion, environmental work, social service, Machu Picchu Trek, and a jungle tour.

South America changed me in more ways than I can articulate, or know. Everyday I think of it and notice the mark it left on me . . . . I do not think I could describe my gratitude in any amount of words.

Kelly Stewart, South America - Spring 2005

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PERU

Andes Kids

Orientation:

Orientation is about 3 days with your group living it up at the stunning Colca Canyon, argued to be the deepest canyon in the world at 3191 meters. At a backpackers resort you’ll get your feet on the ground and learn more about the program and each other. During this time you work on communication skills, team-building activities and setting your intentions for the semester. Because it’s Colca, there’s plenty of fun to be had: trekking, river rafting, mountain biking, and horseback riding to name a few.

Language Study:

Spend 2 weeks studying Spanish in a one-on-one setting. Your studies begin in the unique “white city” of Arequipa, Peru. Each morning begins with 4 hours of language study while living with your own homestay family. Afternoons are free to spend with homestay families, participate in optional cultural activities (traditional cooking, outdoor conservation work, etc.), or exploring the unique geology in the foothills of the El Misti volcano. On the weekend explore the spectacular Lago Titicaca and travel to the floating islands.

Community Development and Cultural Exchange:

After descending from the peaks of the Andes at 13,000 feet, through the cloudforest, you journey into the Amazonian Basin to a jungle community only accessible by boat. Here you will spend a week in a cultural exchange with the Matsiguenka tribe in the village community of Shipetiari. Here you can learn the ways of life in the jungle while living in a grass hut. In addition to a shared construction project benefiting the community, you can: learn to make a canoe from hollowing trees, create your own bow and arrows for hunting jungle wildlife, teach English in the school, and even hear from the local shaman/medicine man on the healing powers of the jungle plants.

From Shipetiari, you will journey deeper into the jungle to the Manu Wildlife Reserve for a camping experience. Manu has been said to be one of the best places in South America to view tropical wildlife. Here you have the chance to view everything from the caiman crocodile to the colorful ‘Cock-of-the-Rock’ bird to the infamous capybara, the world’s largest rodent!

After the jungle immersion, the group returns to Cusco to catch up on email and laundry amenities before entering into spiritual retreat.

Spiritual Retreat:

At the base of the sacred mountain, Machu Picol, overlooking Cusco, you spend a week at a beautiful retreat center learning the ancient spiritual practices of the Peruvian shamans. Our spiritual guide, Lilo lived in Northern California and understands how to bridge the depth and authenticity of local practices with a western mind and culture. Lilo is experienced in facilitating traditional Coca Leaf and Power Animal Readings while also allowing students space to explore Eastern traditions like Reiki and meditation.

Machu Picchu Trek:

The colonial town of Cusco is also our launching site for the Machu Picchu Trek. Spend 4 days hiking through local communities and remote villages of the Sacred Valley to the phenomenal ancient Incan city of the clouds, Machu Picchu, declared one of the new Wonders of the World. This is a strenuous hike with opportunities to take local transport in the event that it's needed. It is one of the most beautiful and sacred walks in South America as well as the world.

ECUADOR:

Language Study:

Another 2 weeks of language classes will be spent in the charming town of Otavalo, Ecuador. Again you will have the opportunity to perfect your Spanish while living with a local family and marvel in South America’s most famous handicraft market.

Environmental Work:

After language school, spend a week volunteering with an environmental education and research organization known as Siempre Verde (“Forever Green”) in the cloud forests of Ecuador. The reserve is over 520 acres of protected forest and only accessible by foot. You will be working during the day on a conservation project, and will split your nights living in an ecolodge or with local community members in their thatched roof homes.

You will also participate as a community member of Rio Muchacho, an organic farm located just outside of the coastal surfing town of Canoa and the ecocity of Bahia de Caraquez. Here you will spend a week learning the principles of sustainable farming and living practices like utilizing alternative energy sources (such as solar and biogas-that’s right! Putting methane to good use!) as well as the importance of ecotourism, zero waste, and fair trade. Learn the practices that have earned Bahia de Caraquez the bragging rights as Ecuador’s first “Ecocity”. Being so close to Canoa, you can spend your weekend swimming, surfing, paragliding, horse riding, mountain biking or relaxing in a hammock under the coastal sun.

Exploration and the Galapagos:

Launch from international airport at Guayaquil to the grande finale of the semester: exploration of Darwin’s, “living museum and showcase of evolution.” Some 500 miles off of Ecuador’s coast, at the confluence of 3 ocean currents, you will spend 5 days exploring unusual wildlife seen only in the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands before this biosystem is permanently closed to tourism.

Program Details

Program Dates:

Fall 2008: Sept. 10 - Dec. 3, 2008
Spring 2009: February 11 - May 5, 2009

Group Size:

Up to 12 Students & 2 Adult Leaders

Eligibility:

Ages 17 and Up

Academic Credit:

Up to 18 credits available

Language Requirement:

None

Admissions:

No deadline - applications accepted on a rolling basis until start date.

Program Fee:

$8,900 Program fee includes all food, accommodations, and scheduled program activities for the duration of the program. International airfare, health insurance and spending money are extra. International airfare estimated at $1400.