Customized Internship: Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco

If you want to learn about Peruvian culture and improve your Spanish while working at a local organization that matches your interests, Linguistic Horizons is the program for you. In my interview with Nicole, the program director, she took into account my specific work interests when placing me in my internship. In Peru, I had the freedom to explore Urubamba (a wonderful town where we stayed) in my free time while feeling comfortable with the support of Nicole and other interns. Nicole also helped me schedule additional weekend excursions, giving me even more opportunities to explore the indigenous culture and incredible mountain scenery. I had the opportunity to stay with a host family, who were some of the nicest people I’ve met. I felt very comfortable throughout the entirety of my four weeks in the program and felt very well supported by Nicole, my host family, the other interns, and my co-workers with anything I needed. Some highlights of the program were the flexibility in organizing my internship to fit with my interests, the organization and efficient administration of LH, the lasting bonds I’ve created with all of the people I met, the opportunity to improve my Spanish at home and at work, and the unique immersion I experienced. I highly recommend choosing Linguistic Horizons if you are hoping to immerse yourself in a new culture, connect with locals, feel safe in a new country, speak Spanish, and learn about different lifestyles.

I went to Peru through Linguistics Horizon to work for a summer in a preschool for an educational internship. I can hands down say this was the most amazing and life changing summers of my life. Linguistics Horizons provides ample support in getting you connected with locals, placing you an internship, helping you find housing amongst peers of your age/ demographics, and ensuring you are happy and enjoying every moment of your experience! I can easily say this is the best program to do an internship abroad with.

In college I did a semester-long study abroad in Europe through the University of California system and got a taste for solo travel. After graduation I was happy to be eligible to do an internship in Peru through Linguistic Horizons (Summer 2016). I went for 2 or 3 weeks and had a great time meeting other program participants and exploring Urubamba and other parts of the Sacred Valley.
Within the few weeks I was there, we had a range of experiences from being tourist hikers at Machu Pichu and Rainbow Mountain to attending a festival in a remote village. As part of my photography internship I got to travel to a variety of other locations each day to film for a project on the water systems of the valley.
What I witnessed of life in Peru is so different from what I am used to in my own life; so much simpler but so rich. There are reminders of pre-Columbian civilization throughout the valley and even communities of people who still speak the local indigenous language, Quechua.
I chose not to take Spanish classes as I already had several years background of Spanish classes but I probably would have enjoyed the experience just as much even if I didn't know any Spanish.
I remember this experience fondly and would like to visit Peru again someday to share the wonder that I felt there with my family.

I loved my time with Linguistic Horizons. Nicole Berry was a wonderful host, looking after all our needs. I split my time filmmaking with Carlos Garavito and the Kai Residence - just a few villages away - on weekdays, and then exploring the sacred valley on weekends. Nicole was amazing at organising our trips - we saw salt mines (Salineras de Maras), did various hikes to visit the remnants of ancient Inca citadels, stayed in Cuzco and had an incredible day trip to Machu Picchu. Staying in Urubamba town is also a wonderful way to fully immerse yourself in Peruvian culture. There’s lots to see, delicious food and you can get a colectivo bus to visit nearby villages as well. I was very lucky to be able to film with Carlos Garavito at the Kai Residency too. He was adventurous and supportive and had great access to the vibrant local community. We ended up making film about the Festival de la del Carmen in Arin, something that’s never been filmed before! We spent time filming the dances, following the processions and then celebrating at the households of the locals. The hospitality was astounding - I’ve never been offered so much food and Chicha! Peru is a beautiful country, with breathtaking views and a rich cultural history. Its myths and legends, so tied to its magnificent landscape, are seductive. I really fell in love with it. Couldn’t recommend Linguistic Horizons more. It gave me exactly what I needed when I went.

Great experience, overall. Experience was slightly different than initially stated, but nonetheless an invaluable experience. I really enjoyed living amongst the locals, and seeing Peru through their eyes. The Spanish lessons that were offered were great, as well. It really helped me develop my ability and confidence to speak Spanish. Living with a professional tour guide, and being exposed to amazing adventures was amazing. I also really enjoyed being exposed to Eastern medicine, as well as Western medicine, and understanding the differences between the two schools of thought.

This program was incredible! I was immersed in so much culture and continued to learn Spanish efficiently throughout. I highly recommend this program for anyone that loves adventure, hiking, and photography. AND the clothing from Peru is incredible. So warms and soft. The only thing that was difficult was seeing the poverty throughout the country. It is a culture shock but it’s good to immerse yourself in it to understand the world around you. Also, don’t drink the water. Watch how you brush your teeth, shower, drink water, etc. It’s hard to digest their water and illnesses can come with it. Come prepared as if you were going on a long camping trip or hike. Bring warm clothes and summer clothes depending on the time of the year you go.

The UCCS Hispanic Honor Society Omega Tau Sigma Del Pi organized a trip to Perú and interviewed several abroad options. However, Linguistic Horizons proved to be the best option. The trip met our goal to give back to the locals by engaging in various efforts to support organic farming, donating several hundred pounds of clothing to locals, all while experiencing the beauty of Urubamba, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu. Linguistic Horizons met all expectations, handled all logistics, ensured safety, room, transportation, great healthy food, interaction with the locals, learning at a profound and meaningful manner the essence of Machu Picchu as no literature could ever detail. The entire experience was unforgettable and enriching. Thank you Linguistic Horizons your commitment to students!

Not only was the director and founder, Nicole Berry, great help with finding my perfect internship but she was a kind-hearted, genuine, and caring person. Linguistic Horizons helped me understand what I want to do in life; which is being an ESL teacher in different countries. The two weeks I spent in Peru with that company were two weeks that I will always remember. The bonds I made were as life-changing as the program itself. If had the means to do it all over again I would. I could talk for years and years about those two weeks. I will never again experience something so soul-cleansing and professionally beneficial as Linguistic Horizons.