Now in its second
year, the Service
Learning and Language Immersion Program in Peru is a collaboration of the
Center for Civic Engagement, the Master’s of Public Administration Department
in the College of Community and Public Affairs, and the Office of InternationalPrograms. It combines a course at Binghamton University with 4 weeks of on-site
language immersion and service-learning in Peru.
Participating students
have just arrived in Cusco, Peru to begin their intensive learning through
service experience. Below are excerpts from their reflections as they embark on their
adventure abroad. Students were asked to reflect on what they were most
apprehensive about and most excited about.
Please stay tuned to
our blog and social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) for updates from the
students throughout the next four weeks.
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“I am most excited to see first-hand what service-learning is all about and to get to practice my Spanish for a month. I just hope that whatever work we do with the Non-Profits in Cuzco is something that they actually see as helpful. It is such a privilege to work in the lives of others and I just hope I do not do more damage than good. I am also excited to see how another culture lives and what sort of things they put values on as compared to how we live here in the U.S. I have never left the U.S. before so that makes it that much more exciting.”—Bridget M Baker
“Fleeting questions and
concerns keep popping up in my mind: What if I can't communicate effectively
with my host family? What will the family be like? Will they know that I'm a
tourist? Will I actually be making a difference at the service sites? What are
my real intentions for going on this trip? Despite these qualms, I know
that I am about to embark on an amazing journey. See you on Sunday, Peru! Hasta
luego!--Lesia Danyluk
“Because of the service-oriented nature of the trip, one of the main things I am looking forward to exploring are the nonprofit organizations that we will be working with and their role in the community. While I was initially a bit apprehensive about the help we could provide the organizations as “outsiders", I am now at ease and truly feel like we will make a positive contribution and learn immensely from the people there. There are still lingering worries, though—about the Peruvian people’s perception of us and to making the correct impression once there, which I am sure is normal.
I am going into this trip with a very open mind and am excited to try as many new things as possible. I am really attempting to remove myself from familiar things and habits, like too much social media and over-relying on technology. Here is to making great connections with Peruvian locals, other visitors and our own Binghamton University group members!”—Lisbeth Pereyra
“As I sit in my room staring at the boxes and tucker
totes filled with clothes and random items from my dorm room, excitement with a
mix of uneasiness fills my head. I am not so much
worried as I am excited about the adventures that await me in Peru, but I do
worry that I will forget something or that I will pack too much or pack too
little. I also worry about speaking Spanish. I have taken a few semesters of Spanish in
high school and college, but I am certainly a little rusty and not confident in
my speaking abilities. However, I am up for the challenge and I cannot wait to
see my language abilities improve. Next stop, Peru!”--Emilia Souza
“It’s my
first time out of the country (besides Canada, which I don’t think counts) so I
am a little anxious, but the experience that awaits me is going to be amazing.
I am really not sure what to expect when I get there but the excitement keeps
on building when I think of what’s in store. I am so excited to meet my host
family as well as all the different people that live there. Also, I can’t wait
to meet and talk to the individuals, children and adults, at the
non-governmental organizations at which we will be serving.”--Kenny Seagren
“I'm most apprehensive
about communicating with my host family and the locals! My Spanish is at
the beginner level so I am a little nervous,
although we will be having language instruction there and I'm sure the host
families are very accommodating. I am most excited about seeing the
landscape and being in a foreign country! I think taking pictures of
Machu Picchu will be awesome.”—Mary C. Rood
“Tomorrow I
am leaving and I am really nervous, and excited. I realized this morning that
in 48 hours I will be in Peru and will be there for a while. I am very
excited to explore Cusco and experience another culture. I am also excited because I am bringing a new sketchbook that I want to fill on this
trip. However, I have some nerves about communicating and
navigating a new culture. Otherwise, I
am very excited and looking forward to this experience. I hope I have
everything I need in my bag.”—Christina Rose
“When we get off at Lima, it's going to feel
like I am in a different world. Because I have never really been outside of the
United States, I know this is going to be an incomparable feeling. I am also
really excited to learn Spanish. I have recently realized that learning another
language is something that everyone should pick up in college, even if they
finished their language requirement in high school.
Yesterday I was at the
train station, and a man was speaking very quickly, asking me for something in
Spanish. I was able to pick out a few words I understood, but not enough to
help. I wanted to understand him so badly. Being fully immersed in the Spanish
language should definitely increase my skills, and help me learn a lot fairly
quickly.”—Victoria Lewis
“When choosing
the Peru program, all I could think about was going to Machu Picchu. Now that
the day is here I'm so anxious and excited about everything. I'm mostly scared
about living with a host family; it's definitely going to be a different
experience. I am super excited about all the history and culture we are going
to experience. I mentioned before I was excited about Machu Picchu, I still am.
I am excited beyond belief; I've seen it in pictures and it's so beautiful. I
cannot wait to experience it for myself. Lastly, I cannot wait for the food, I
am always eating and I hope the food is amazing!”--Grisel Nodarse
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