Semester in Cuzco: Internship & Spanish Language Immersion Fall/Spring (Ongoing)
This semester abroad program provides students with a unique opportunity to study Spanish and intern in Cuzco, Peru. Students can earn up to 12 credits (for example, to fulfill G.E. requirements and/or complete Spanish major/minor credits). Spanish students can apply nine credits toward the major. The courses available in Cuzco are: Spanish 1010 (Beginning Spanish I), Spanish 1020 (Beginning Spanish II), Spanish 2010 (Intermediate Spanish I), Spanish 2020 (Intermediate Spanish II), Spanish 3000 (Spanish Proficiency Development), Spanish 3610 (Advanced Conversation in Spanish), Spanish 4893 (Spanish Internship), and Spanish 4920 (Spanish Workshop/Study Abroad).
While in Cuzco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, students take Spanish courses (beginning-advanced levels) and complete a semester-long internship. Internship placement is chosen in consultation with the student, taking into consideration their interests, career goals, and proficiency level. Internship placements can be arranged in the following fields: veterinary medicine, education, youth development, social work, medicine (includes dentistry, midwifery, physiotherapy), nutrition, psychology, physical education, language therapy, NGO support, and tourism (eco-tourism) and hospitality. Intern credit hours and language coursework are determined during pre-departure meetings with the 91ɬÂþ faculty director.
Internships are designed to foster personal and professional development, teach cross-cultural competency, and improve language proficiency. These skills set students apart in a competitive workforce and enhance their educational experience. All internships include a guided reflection component and use 91ɬÂþ’s experiential learning framework, which includes student-generated goals, reflective writing assignments, job/skills preparation, and “learning by doing”. Interns will be required to write a proposal with individualized learning objectives (after receiving their placement location), complete weekly reflections, and create an electronic portfolio to showcase their work abroad. While abroad, students maintain contact via email and/or video chats with the program director to discuss their internship, classes, and overall experience.
Cuzco is a cosmopolitan city, filled with restaurants (Peru is one of the world’s best culinary destinations!), bars, museums, local markets, cathedrals, art, theater, and archeological sites. During their spare time, students have the opportunity to participate in activities organized by their host family or language school (sample weekly offerings include dancing lessons, cooking lessons, trivia nights, food tastings, intern dinners, and yoga) or go on excursions (For example, hikes around the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, etc. A highlight of this learning abroad location is the opportunity to visit the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most amazing example of Inca architecture.
All students are hosted in homestays, all of which are located about 15-20 minutes from the language school.
91ɬÂþ’s Spanish Program is proud to partner with , the sister organization of Volunteer HQ, the world’s most trusted volunteer organization, which has placed over 80,000 volunteers abroad since 2007.
For more information, please contact Prof. Iliana Portaro (Program Director) and visit the 91ɬÂþ Office of Learning Abroad. Students can begin the application process here.