This summer five NVC students had the opportunity to study in abroad in Peru and see some of the wonders Peru had to offer, including the wonderful and mysterious Inca city of Machu Picchu high in the Andes Mountains! Students enrolled in two Humanities classes, World Cultures (HUMA 2323) and International Studies (HUMA 1302) focusing on the cultural and traditional aspects of Peru, peace and conflict with restorative justice, and how Peruvian society and identity has transformed over its long and rich history.
Students not only had an opportunity to visit archeological sites like Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman but also local indigenous communities in the Sacred Valley of the Andes Mountains and Lake Titicaca. Students spent time in the local communities' engaging the people and learning from their traditions and culture. In addition to Machu Picchu, we visited several sites of cultural importance like the National Museum and Cathedral in Lima, the Qorikancha Inca Temple in Cuzco, and the Inca storage facilities turned into a fortress of Ollantaytambo. We also had a chance to visit the Andean community of Misminay where we learned about their traditions, textiles, and even participated in a coca leaf ceremony to Pachamama (Mother Earth).
We also got a chance to visit the manmade floating Islands of Uros in Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world. It was truly amazing walking on islands made from Totora reeds layered across vast areas of the lake. Afterwards, we took a ride in a Totora made boat. These manmade islands can last for up to 35 years and can be moved about and anchored securely anywhere in the lake.
|
The trip lasted for 14 days and it was a tremendous experience for everyone for both students and faculty. It was great learning about a new culture, its history, its people and its wonderful food! Most importantly, we learned what it means to be out of our "comfort zones" giving us greater understanding of the struggles people go through when traveling to a different a country including ours.
This was a wonderful experience for everyone and we hope to go back to Peru in the summer of 2015. For more information on next year's trip, please contact Carlos López at [email protected] or Liz Wright at [email protected].
|