This new study abroad summer program has been organized through a collaboration of the Center for Civic Engagement, the Master of Pub-lic Administration Department in the College of Community and Public Affairs, and the Office of International Programs. It will combine a course at Binghamton University with 2-3 weeks of on- site language immersion and service-learning in Peru.
Located amid the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is a city with a population of about 350,000. The history of this region that was founded as the capital city of the Incans and later conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century has led to a modern day urban center that showcases a mix of great Incan and Spanish culture, with Incan temples juxtaposing Baroque cathedrals in the city center. For this reason, Cusco is often referred to as the "archaeological capital of the Americas." These historical sites within Cusco like the Plaza de Armas, the Cusco Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sun attract visitors from all over the world. Students will have the opportunity to visit these sites on an organized city tour within Cusco.
A large percentage of the indigenous Incan population lives outside of the city in the mountainous areas surrounding Cusco, where farming and textile crafting are the main ways of making a living. Students will have the chance to take a tour to visit the famous Pisac artisan market as well as several Incan temples in this region and travel into the Sacred Valley. Students may also choose to extend their stay to take a trip to Macchu Piccu, however this is at an extra, separate cost to the student. These mountainous areas surrounding Cusco face particular challenges, including: a lack of potable water, lack of access to education and health services, unemployment, and high rates of alcoholism and domestic violence. Students will have the opportunity to complete service learning projects in these areas in order to learn about and assist with these challenges.
The 6 credit academic course component of the program will be a summer class, for which you are registered in the summer term; however your coursework will begin towards the end of the spring 2013 semester to allow for sufficient preparation before the trip. The class will meet in person three times on the dates listed below (for a total of 15 contact hours).
Students will be required to complete readings and individual assignments (estimated at 15-20 hours of work)
Tentative Class Meeting Dates:
April 13, 2013, 9am-2pm
April 20, 2013, 9am-2pm
May 4, 2013, 9am-2pm
On-Site in Peru
The program trip to Peru is expected to take place from May 28 - June 18th. These dates are estimates only and may change based upon the best flight prices available.The three weeks in Peru will include one week of intensive language instruction, 2-3 days of work at the nonprofit organization Corazon de Dahlia which was founded by a Binghamton University alum to help impoverished Peruvian children and families, 2-3 days of work with the mayor of a small community, and 2-3 days of work providing instruction on the construction and use of a low-cost and simply-made water filtration system designed by Binghamton University engineering students.
Post-Trip
Students will be required to participate in online debriefing and reflection exercises and prepare a final paper linking the readings and course concepts to the experience in Peru. All work must be completed and submitted no later than July 15, 2013.
