Category: 2025 Tufts Civic Semester Peru

by Tyrin

Starting this blog, I want to acknowledge how extremely ignorant I was about life outside of my own. Ignorant in the denotation meaning of lacking knowledge, not in the connotation of rude, bad manners, and closed-minded. A quick background about me is that I’m from the Southern USA, specifically living my whole life between San Antonio, Texas, and Pensacola, Florida. While both of those places have many differences, the similarities include hot, sunny climates, a lot of Hispanic influence, and the traditional “Southern Charm and Hospitality” that I had yet to imagine could be outside the South. But my perspective was flawed; the South to me means cowboys, farms, and humid days. But being in Perú, I am actually in the south for the first time. One particular moment that struck me was walking through the vibrant markets of the capital of the Sacred Valley, where the smells of fresh fruits and meats filled the air. Here, the south is defined not by cowboys but by rich traditions, lively colors, and the Andean mountain culture. The warmth here doesn’t come from the climate, but from the welcoming smiles and open hospitality of the Peruvian people, reminding me of a familiar yet wonderfully different “Southern Charm.”

It has been exactly thirty-six days since I left home, and for the first time, I have been out of my “South,” and my whole perspective of life has changed. I have been blessed to leave my bubble and see other parts of the world. In those thirty-six days, I visited Toronto and Niagara Falls in Canada, Buffalo and Albany in New York, Boston in Massachusetts, Lima, Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Yucay, Huaran, and many other places throughout the beautiful country of Perú. One moment that will stick with me is the first week I was in Urubamba. There was a celebration happening, and the vibrant sunset on the mountains contrasted the vibrant music and dancing being performed in front of me. That was the moment when I knew I was right where I was supposed to be.

This country has accepted me, and that acceptance means everything to me. Every day, I find myself enchanted by the sight of mountains, engaging with locals in Spanish, and diving deeper into the rich culture around me. Reflecting on these experiences, I’ve come to appreciate a personal shift in values and mindset. Before arriving here, I viewed life from a predominantly regional perspective, rooted in my Southern upbringing. But now, I’ve come to embrace the beauty in diversity and the warmth of unfamiliar generosity. I realize that growth comes from moving beyond comfort zones, and I cherish these moments of learning and connection. I hope, in time, I can repay this kindness and belief shown to me, though it’s often said that foreigners aim to help locals. Here, it’s been the Peruvians who have offered me invaluable lessons. I’ll carry with me each smile, buenos días, and the sincere hugs I’ve received. With ten weeks still left in this journey, I can’t help but feel grateful for how much Perú has already enriched my life.

Muchas gracias Perú por todos,
Thank you very much, Perú, for everything.

by Kevin

The last two weeks have been undoubtedly busy for the entire cohort. Orientation activities have taught us the ropes of a new land. Learning how to manage the street dogs of Urubamba, being shown to be wary of the street food around town, and learning how to interact with the community are just a short snippet of what has been taught to us during orientation. Attending an Andean ceremony that aims to preserve a culture that has been present among the Andean mountains for generations showed us a glimpse into a battle between indigenous cultures and globalization. A hike down a breathtaking mountain with a waterfall and river splitting the land apart showcased the beauty that this land has to offer. Visits to non-governmental organizations taught us the impact and importance of service, but also what role we as foreigners have in the context of our service. Throw in a few classes and a birthday celebration for two, and in summary, that’s been the last two weeks for the cohort.

At least, that’s what I would say, but we often forget to reflect on the small moments that really contribute to a meaningful experience. Not the moments that are worth attention on social media, but the moments that contribute to the beauty and authenticity of any new experience. From exploring the local market to the local businesses where we run errands, to the meals that are not necessarily worthy of an Instagram post but that fill the soul and stomach. The many breakfasts we have shared over the past few days, rushing to make eggs or reheat dinner leftovers before we depart for a day of classes or new adventures. Or the many evening or night walks that have us avoiding cars, dogs, and obstacles, all in the hopes of making it to dinner or back home. However, a favorite of not just mine but of most of the cohort has been hanging out on the hammocks in the communal yard and garden. Anything from reading to gossip, to lively group discussions, to friendly banter, naps, listening to music, or simply swinging in motion, the hammocks often get lost in the grand scheme of things, but, in my personal opinion, have made this place feel like home, like a place where I can rest and feel safe, without worry. It’s one of the reasons I stopped referring to this place as a hotel and started referring to it as my home.

But yeah, I just felt like sharing a few big and small moments with you, dear reader, whoever you might be. Thank you for listening to what I had to say.

by Ana

This past week, 11 of us arrived in Peru not knowing just how much there is to explore. We all dived headfirst into the experience, eager to learn all there is about ourselves, Peru, and its rich history and culture. Each week we will visit various non-profit organizations before we begin our internships in October. The internship aspect of the Civic Semester is incredibly important when it comes to learning more about Peru and the ways we as tourists have an impact in the community.

This week we were able to visit four lovely organizations that serve the people in the surrounding area of the Sacred Valley. Monday, we visited Niños Del Arco Iris, which is a school that provides free education and health services to over 200 hundred underprivileged children in Urubamba. We also visited an organization right down the street called Valley Camp, that provides outdoor educational activities to children and families in the surrounding areas, providing children with opportunities to try new things. On Friday we visited another two organizations, Yanapasun and Casita Huarán. Yanapasun works with children and adults with various disabilities providing them with services such as speech and physical therapy. Casita Huarán is an organization that gives educational opportunities to kids in rural Andean communities. As we spent time at these organizations, we got to meet the founders and various staff that are so incredibly passionate about what they do. It is truly wonderful and inspiring to meet such passionate people, the change makers, and know that I can become one too. We are all passionate about something, and once we find it, we are able to embark on great adventures and make a big impact on the people around us.

But oftentimes we don’t realize the consequences being a tourist has on a community. As travelers we tend to arrive in a country, take a couple pictures, and fly home without engaging with the local community and reflective on what it means to be a good tourist. This past week we have reflected on each organization and their various missions and the ways we can learn from them. During these reflections we ask questions such as: “Is it the job of society to prioritize minorities?” “What is the role of education in society?” and “What do you think about the term ‘White Saviour’?”. As one can imagine, these are difficult conversations to have, but we all approach them with grace. During this time, we give space & make space for everyone to share their various opinions and personal stories without fear of facing judgement. As we learn more about ourselves, we are able to learn more about what strengths we can bring to our placements when we begin in October. It allows us to see how we fit into this new society as more than tourists and how we can help create a bigger positive impact during our time here. We are all incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend our first semester at university abroad and are excited to see what is to come. At the end of this week, I asked everyone to share a phrase or a word that reflects how they felt after visiting these organizations and they are the following:

• Insightful
• Hope
• Optimistic
• Reflective
• Understanding
• Excited to Learn
• Motivated to see More
• Eager
• Inspired
• Community
• Love
• Passion Changes Everything