Category: Civic Semester Peru

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

by Micaela

BOOO! Happy Halloween! With Halloween coming THIS Thursday, I could not be more excited. Every year, Halloween is a time where I unleash my creativity to come up with and make my costumes, I spend time with my friends, and I eat an absurd amount of candy. What’s not to love?!?

This year in Urubamba, I am planning to dress up as a mermaid, but my costume is still in progress (I have not begun). For me, Halloween feels different this year. Halloween is the same holiday it has always been, but now I have new friends and a new family here to spend it with. I’ve realized that holidays are not at all about the day or the celebration, but about the people you get to spend them with. I could not feel luckier to have the privilege to spend this holiday with my amazing host family and friends.

It is interesting to see how the anticipation to go out, dress up, and have fun with family and friends extends all the way from the United States to Peru. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the excitement for Halloween here in Peru, especially among younger kids. My niece (6) can’t wait for us to work on her costume and take her out on Halloween night! Beyond learning that Halloween is also celebrated here, I have also learned that this is a time of 3 back-to-back holidays. First, is Halloween on the 31st. Then, Dia de los Santos on the 1st. Lastly, Dia de los Muertos on the 2nd. Here, these three days of celebration are a time to appreciate life, death, and family.

I’m anxious for the days of celebration to begin, and can’t wait to learn more about Peruvian culture and the differences and similarities with the United States. My host family mentioned many traditions on Dia de los Santos, which I am excited to experience. Some questions that I am currently thinking about are: How is death seen differently in different cultures? Is it common for kids to “Trick or Treat” in Peru? How has globalization impacted the celebration of these holidays in Peru? What are common costumes that people wear in Urubamba? Do most people create their own costumes or buy them? I can’t wait for Thursday to come where I can learn more about these questions and experience my first ever Halloween in another country!

Originally posted here.

by LG

The weekend before I left for orientation at Tufts, my best friend drove down to Connecticut from Vermont to pay me a visit. Previously, Laurel and I saw each other every day for hours at a time. At that point, it had been about three months since I had last been in the same room as her, and we were on the precipice of nearly four more. On Monday morning as she loaded up the Subaru to head back up north, we stood looking at each other with tears streaming down our cheeks. “When I see you next, everything’s going to be different,” I told her. It’s a tad dramatic, but it’s rung true.

Since I said goodbye to Laurel, I’ve integrated myself into a group of people I can only describe as my Tufts University-assigned best friends. While I’d like to think our paths would cross in any universe, I’m endlessly grateful to Tisch College for guiding them together in this one. We’re all from different parts of the world, are interested in different things, and have different stories, but we all share the desire to adventure and understand a way of life different from our own. This community has taught me to love, trust, and breathe more deeply. From the very beginning, there’s been so much love in this house of strangers.

Continue reading “Growth and Gratitude”

by Natalie

It’s crazy to think that I’ve already been in Peru for over a month! This weekend we move in with our host families and I’m very excited. So far, we’ve done a lot already. We’ve been taking Spanish classes, a Latin American Civilization class, and of course our Pathways class. We’ve explored Urubamba, Cusco, and Paru Paru. We’ve gone on hikes and adventures, had bonfires, eaten delicious Peruvian food, spoken to locals in the Plaza and main market, shared group bus rides and movie nights, had fun family dinners, seen the Milky Way in the night sky, and so much more. I can’t even begin to express how happy I am to be in Peru, especially with this group.

Continue reading “A Little Update”

by Ella, Civic Semester Participant

There’s a certain feeling, a certain ache that comes with Change. It hits at milestones: one week before, knowing that this is the last Monday that your life will exist the way it stands in front of you today. The moment you realize that you only have two more weekend days to sit with the version of yourself that exists on this warm Saturday afternoon. 24 hours before the Change, realizing you will only lay your head on this pillow once more, praying you dream of the exact day that you had—maybe you can extend this reality for eight hours more. The final wave hits you as you watch the landscape change beneath you from the sunlit plane window.

Six months ago, I would’ve told you that this feeling is dreadful, terrifying, sad. I would’ve asked you how it’s possible to leave so much of myself, so much of what I know to be true, just to spend my time rebuilding exactly what I have now. Friendships, comfort, love.

Continue reading “The feeling before Change”