Peru
Teaching, Construction, Care Work & Social Work
Destination Profile PeruCapital: Lima
Surface Area: 1,285 thousand sq km
Population: 29.1 million (2009)
Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Exchange Rate: A$1 = 2.4208 Nuevos Soles (Jul 2009)
Placement Information
Students may work on a number of community projects with a local organisation in and around Cusco and The Sacred Valley. Students also have the opportunity to continue their orientation Spanish lessons in the afternoon. Community project opportunities may include the following:
• Building schools and community centres
• Teaching adult literacy classes
• Tutoring in schools
• Working with community and women’s groups.
Students will work closely with the in-country agent to establish a roster based on what projects are running at the time they are in country and what they are interested in becoming involved in however will need to work as a team to complete all tasks.
Accommodation
Each student will be housed in a safe and comfortable local home in Cusco – one or two students per household. The family will speak little to no English but this is the best way to learn Spanish quickly. It is highly recommended that students learn some basic Spanish prior to their placement. It is not compulsory that students speak Spanish, but would make it easier to communicate with locals and would also provide great personal benefit. Remember that Spanish is spoken by almost 400 million people worldwide!
Specific Inclusions
• Basic Spanish language lessons during the placement
Free Time Suggestions
There is plenty of opportunity to simply explore Cusco on weekends, a spectacular Incan city with cobbled streets, traditional markets, ancient Inca ruins and plenty of bars and cafes. There are also many organised activities to choose from such as trips to the Sacred Valley, Arequipa, the Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca. It is possible to do adventure activities such as white water rafting, treks and jungle tours. Most students tend to end their placement with the famous 4-day hike to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail.
