This eight week program in Cusco, Peru provides a unique opportunity for immersion in Spanish language and Peruvian culture via homestays with local families and service projects with indigenous communities in the surrounding area. The on-site Program Director is Nancy Guthrie from Iowa State University.

Academic Program

Classes are held in Cusco at the Centro Bartolome de las Casas, including advanced Spanish language at two levels and a class in Peruvian History and Civilization. The service learning component (100+ hours) requires journaling, class time devoted to group reflection, and a final integrative project. UI students earn 6 s.h. of resident credit and notation of their Community Service on their transcript.

•Spanish Language class (Advanced or Intermediate Spanish) - 3 s.h.
•Peruvian Civilization & Culture - 3 s.h.
•Service Learning

Where relevant, students are encouraged to discuss with their appropriate department faculty adviser the option of using the community service and journaling component of the program as a basis for field study or their honors thesis.

Program Dates

Program dates are May 30 to July 24, 2013.

For More Information

Kelly Moore
Study Abroad, International Programs
1111 University Capitol Center
319.335.0353

Centro Bartolome de las Casas

ProWorld Service Corps and their local NGA, ProPeru, provide host families and academic courses at the Centro Bartolome de las Casas (CBC) in the heart of Cucso. The CBC is world-renowned as a center for Andean Studies. Professors from the local university teach Spanish and Peruvian culture courses.

In consultation with community leaders, ProPeru will select service sites that reflect genuine reciprocal relationships between students and community members. While student interests will be considered, priority is given to community needs. Possibilities include healthcare, education, construction, and general development.

Cusco

Nicknamed the ‘navel’ (umbligo in Spanish) of the Inca Empire, Cucso has about 350,000 inhabitants. Most of the city is 11,000 feet about sea level. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular destination for tourists due in part to its proximity to Machu Picchu. Excursions include numerous cultural activities and hiking in Machu Picchu.

Living Arrangements

All participants live with a Peruvian host-family selected by ProWorld-Peru, generally with two students per family, and are provided three meals per day.

Eligibility

• 2.5 GPA
• Two semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, four semesters or more is highly desirable
• Sophomore standing by the summer
• Post-application phone interview with Program Director Nancy Guthrie

Application Deadline

The Application Deadline for UI applicants is January 29, 2013.

How to Apply

Interested students should submit an application form, a copy of your grade report from ISIS, a 250 word essay, and two letters of reference (at least one must be academic). Once you've applied, Program Director Nancy Guthrie will schedule a phone interview with you to assess your interests and Spanish level.

The 2013 program application is available here.

Once you've been accepted, you'll be asked to confirm your place on the program by submitting Confirmation Documents and a $200 deposit. That information will be provided by email.

Costs

The program fee for Summer 2013 is tentatively set at $6,553 for UI participants and $7,327 for non-UI participants. A portion of your program fee goes towards the community development projects of ProPeru and partner communities.

The program fee includes tuition and administrative fees, international health insurance coverage, course materials, housing and most meals (homestay), travel to community service sites, some program excursions, one night hotel in Lima, round trip flight Lima-Cusco, and ground transportation to and from airports within Peru.

Additional costs include international airfare (estimated at $1600), optional excursions, some meals while on excursions, an International Student ID Card ($22, used for discounted entrance fees), and personal spending money.

Optional excursions to the Amazon rainforest (estimated $600) and to Lake Titicaca (estimated $250) are available.

Confirmation Documents

If you've recently been accepted into the program please download the following documents. Confirmation materials and deposit are due to the study abroad office by March 1st.

Withdrawal Schedule

Confirmation of Participation

Medical self-assessment form

International Student Identity Card Application

Information for students wanting to use federal financial aid

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu