Guest Post: Reflections On Study Abroad In Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Today, I am proud to publish a reflection piece that a friend of mine, Tracy, wrote after a 6 week study abroad trip to the country of Peru.  Her travels included visits to Cusco, Awana Kancha, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, and Lima.  Although pursuing education and cultural enrichment in a foreign country can be intimidating and expensive, I’d imagine the experience is one that will remain indelibly in your memory forever.  Here’s an opportunity to learn from a student who has been through the study abroad experience and lived to write about it.         

At Kansas State University during the fall and spring semesters, there are Study Abroad fairs that take place to promote different study abroad companies; along with the wide variety of opportunities a student can take part in through K-State Study Abroad Office.  That is where I decided on what type of trip I’d like to go on.  I already knew that I wanted to travel to a Spanish speaking country, plus I knew my time frame included the months during June to July 2011.

Each college has a study abroad office, and before I went on my trip, I also attended special meetings about how to prepare myself, health precautions, and scholarship opportunities.  Something that is very important to go to is your college’s hospital or one in your hometown to check with what shots and/or types of pills you need to help keep you healthy while abroad.  For example, I was told to take typhoid medication before my trip, along with having medication to try and prevent motion sickness, traveler’s diarrhea, and altitude sickness.

Over 80% of Peru’s population is Catholic, and during my time in Lima, I was able to attend Catholic masses in Spanish.  The first mass I attended, it was eye opening to see that here in Peru, the organization of the mass was different than in a Catholic church in Kansas.  The Catholic Peruvians prayed at a different time, and to receive communion, there aren’t any ushers.  Peruvians lined up when they like to, unlike in the United States where it is much more in an orderly fashion. 

Peruvians speak very fast to one another, and for us Americans, it was nice when our host families attempted to speak a little slower so we could understand.  

Do I believe that my 6 weeks of studying abroad in Peru has changed my life? Yes, I do.  I am more knowledgeable about the Inca and Quechua culture that have shaped the country of Peru.  I have become able to understand Spanish better, along with my confidence when speaking Spanish has also increased. 

Since I started learning Spanish in middle school, I have loved learning about Hispanic cultures.  I am white/Caucasian with no ounce of Hispanic blood in me, but after studying Spanish for so long, and living in a Spanish speaking country for six weeks, I consider myself as part Hispanic. 

I am obtaining a minor in Spanish, and after the Fall 2011 semester, my Spanish classes will be finished for minor, yet I will keep trying to learn something new every day about the Spanish language and culture because I enjoy it.  My dream is to be able to use Spanish in my future career with a business that has relations abroad in countries like Peru.  

I’ve made great friendships during my study abroad trip, and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with all of my friends and family here in the United States, along with prospective students who might be planning on studying abroad.  After going on this study abroad trip to Peru, my passion has grown immensely about showing others how being bilingual, and learning a second language such as Spanish can change your life, like it has mine.