- Program: The Andes of Bolivia & Peru
- Dates: May 11-27, 2009
- Countries: Bolivia & Peru
- Courses: SA 4490: Andean Culture & SA 4490: Geography of the Andes
- More Information: Visit our Programs Page
Read below to learn about this program from Directors Dr. Ernesto Silva & Dr. Nancy Hoalst Pullen
Eighteen individuals. Seventeen days. Six cities. Two countries. One truly amazing Andean experience!
In May 2009, sixteen KSU students representing over a half dozen majors went with Drs. Ernesto Silva (Foreign Languages) and Nancy Hoalst Pullen (Geography & Anthropology) to experience the Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Students traveled by plane, train, bus, car, boat, bike, and foot to learn about the culture and geography of the area. The program allowed students to experience the wonders of both countries, and they achieved bragging rights by accomplishing the following:
- hiking to, and touching, a retreating glacier at ~16000 ft
- breaking out into dance with the locals in the Valley of the Moon/Valle de la Luna
- setting foot on ancient Inka terraces, ceremonial sites, and burial sites
- singing with children on the Island of the Moon/Isla del Luna in Lake Titicaca
- sleeping under the stars on the Island of the Sun/Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca
- visiting Uros to see how people live on the floating islands in Lake Titicaca
- seeing various museums and churches that highlight both indigenous and Spanish influences
- eating traditional foods in the traditional “family style” setting on the Island of Taquille
- experiencing Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley ruins
- running along the Inka Trail
- dwelling in the catacombs of Saint Francisco Church in Lima
- and meeting many, many, many people of every race, creed, religion and tradition along the way
Students not only learned about the geography and culture of the region, but were involved in a unique research experience in which they went out and surveyed over 300 people from the cities of La Paz, Copacabana, Puno, Cuzco, and Lima. All in all, the program was a truly a remarkable learning experience for everyone involved.
¡Vivan los Andes de Bolivia y Perú!
