Visiting Machu Picchu

Author: Chloe Harder | Majors: Music Education, Spanish | Semester: Summer 2023

My name is Chloe Harder, and I spent Summer 2023 in Cusco, Peru through the International Studies Abroad for the Language, Literature & Culture program. My primary major is Music Education, but because of this study abroad program, I am also able to complete my secondary Spanish major. I have been learning Spanish since 8th grade, meaning I had just finished my seventh year of studying Spanish when I started this program. Spanning from May 18th to August 5th, this program lasted almost the entirety of the summer. It truly was an incredible experience that has added so much to my academic experience, but also my life experience.

Going into picking a study abroad program, I was not feeling very picky, so it was somewhat difficult to narrow down to one program. I knew that any decision I made would end up being the right one, but also wanted to be intentional about picking a program that I felt compatible with. I ended up choosing ISA Cusco: Language, Literature & Culture because I felt very drawn to the structure of ISA in terms of their classes and excursions, and the Language, Literature & Culture program focuses on exactly what I wanted to study. Additionally, the more I researched Cusco, the more interested I became in living in this city for a summer. The history of indigenous civilizations that lived in this city, especially the Incan civilization, are so relevant to the culture of Cusco even to this day. It is not an especially large city, which I preferred, and is a safe place to live and visit. Not to mention, the Andes Mountains are absolutely beautiful, and the excursions provided were very enticing. And, of course, I wanted to be surrounded by Spanish-speakers in order to further my understanding of the Spanish language.

My courses were great. Because we were taking the same courses every weekday, I felt that I was pushed much more than is possible by taking classes at the University of Arkansas. The instructor, Kris Cárdenas, is incredible. She is a native speaker, which I believe is super helpful in learning Spanish as a secondary language. She also is knowledgeable about our classes so that we could ask any clarifying questions and she was extremely helpful. She also would let us get off topic, as long as we continued to speak in Spanish. Even though I was not in a vocabulary-centered class, as I took literature, grammar, and art history classes, I felt my vocabulary expand immensely. This was also clearly aided by the constant immersion in Spanish. Everyone always talks about how important it is to be truly immersed in a language to learn it, and it is for good reason. Being forced to speak a language, even when it is uncomfortable or when you do not know how to navigate it perfectly is exactly where you grow the most. Through my courses and living in Cusco, I absolutely grew my Spanish-speaking abilities and became increasingly comfortable with the language. This program not only has allowed me to add another degree, but also achieve a goal I have had for years now: fluency in another language.

The culture of Cusco, Peru was an absolutely beautiful one to witness. I was not aware of this before I left, but June is the Month of Cusco, featuring many celebrations all throughout the month, the most important being Corpus Christi. It originates from an Incan holiday, in which they would carry important mummified leaders around the main square, called La Plaza de Armas. Due to Spanish influence and their Catholic traditions, the tradition has changed. Instead of mummified Incas, statues of Catholic saints and Virgin Mary are paraded around the modern-day Plaza de Armas. I was not expected to be so moved by this tradition, as I have no connection to the Catholic religion and had never even heard of this holiday before my arrival, but seeing people carry the extremely heavy, elaborate, and clearly adored statues of saints such far distances truly made me emotional. It is such a happy holiday; the entire city comes to the center in order to celebrate, dance, and honor their complicated heritage: a mix of the powerful Incas and the Spanish who overtook their civilization. Seeing Incan structures intertwined with elaborate Spanish architecture was so interesting and demonstrated so clearly the importance of both cultures in modern-day Cusco. The architectural mastery was so different but breathtaking in both styles. Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, and Saqsaywaman are just some of the astounding Incan structures I visited while in Peru. Visiting natural wonders was absolutely incredible too, including the Rainbow Mountain and Lake Humantay.

I would absolutely recommend this program! There were only five students total doing this program this summer, which I think is such a shame. The ISA Cusco staff is incredible, the city is magical, and the experiences I gained are irreplaceable. For anyone hoping to learn more about Spanish and get to know a Spanish-speaking country, I think Peru is a great place to start, especially Cusco. I felt safe at all times, the city was easy to navigate, and the opportunities for educational and cultural experiences are limitless. In terms of general advice for study abroad, I can’t say anything someone else hasn’t said before, but make sure to take advantage of your time. Even when you’re tired or homesick, get out of the house! Be sure to rest, obviously, but the time flies. Try to plan ahead so that time does not get away from you. Also, heed the stages of studying abroad. They might hit you harder than you think and in more profound ways than expected. For me, I did not experience a super intense “Culture shock,” but I did find myself evaluating my values in unexpected ways during my time abroad. Be sure to make friends. Talk to locals, other travelers, and your fellow students! The time abroad truly is special. But be sure not to put too much pressure on yourself to experience every possible thing. Whatever you get to do is enough. Happy travels!