I didn’t think it would be financially possible for me to attend the study abroad program to Peru for environmental and science communication, but I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity. I am so grateful for the scholarships I earned and the work I put in to go because I had the best month of my life. I learned valuable lessons about communications, culture and myself while making lifelong friends and practicing my Spanish. I couldn’t recommend this program more.

We stayed in three very different places. Lima was on the coast of the pacific ocean where we went surfing and watched the sunset. Tambopata was in the Amazon Jungle where we got to see so much biodiversity and swim with piranhas. Cusco was a cultural center in the Andes where we got to spend a day at Machu Picchu. It all felt like a dream and the joy I felt and still feel when thinking about the program is unmatched.

The education portion was very hands-on, and I was able to take away a lot. We visited an independent news station, the headquarters of the largest media conglomerate in Peru and several universities. We even got to meet the editor-in-chief of Grupo El Comercio who answered all of our questions. We also got to sit in on a meeting where all the editors of each department shared their stories for the next day.

We had a guide named Luis who is native to Peru and was wonderful. He gave us Spanish and culture lessons while supporting us in every way. Between him and Bruno, I couldn’t have asked for a better duo to guide us. They helped make this program unforgettable.

As a journalism major with an interest in international and environmental reporting the itinerary was perfect. I’ve never been to another country before and this showed me, hopefully, a glance into my future. It helped me define what it means to be an international journalist and taught me responsible science communication. I think this program deserves so much recognition and I hope others get to experience it and enjoy it the way I did.

Name: Anna Barnes
Status: Junior
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan
Program: Environmental and Science Communication in Peru