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Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
    • Machu Picchu
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Short Term, Spring, Spring Break, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Conflict Studies Conservation and Preservation Cultural Studies Environmental Studies Global Studies Health Sciences Human Rights Indigenous Cultures Latin American Studies Peace Studies Political Science Public Health Service Learning Social Work Sustainable Development Women's Studies +6
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

Price Details
The fees, for this customizable program, can cover tuition, lodging, international airfare, airport transfers, orientations, excursions, service-learning placement and oversight and emergency medical/evacuation insurance. Work with IPSL's program director to create a program that suits your budget.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Some Meals Transportation Travel Insurance
What's Included (Extra)

Tuition and academic fees; academic transcript; homestay housing and 3 meals per day seven days per week; service placement and supervision; health insurance; academic excursions; on-site and on-line orientation, and pre-departure materials.

What's Not Included
Airfare Some Meals SIM cards Visa Wifi
What's Not Included (Extra)

Passport; visa (not typically required); vaccine fees; international airfare; books; spending money; local personal transportation; local cell phone and internet access and independent travel.

Aug 25, 2023
Nov 29, 2018
Wish List
15 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

This unique program has been developed to build an on-going commitment to the Cusco community through a variety of service-learning placements in partnership with local NGOs. Students have the opportunity to work on a variety of sustainable, socially responsibility projects.

Cusco is the capital of the Inca Empire and is situated at the base of the Andes-entryway to Machu Picchu. The city of Cusco was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO in 1983 and boasts charming cobblestone streets, stone buildings made by the Incas and exciting nightlife and cafes. In short it is a perfect blend of the old and the new.

Available courses may include Spanish language (all levels); Community Organizing and Social Activism in Peru; Indigenous Knowledge, Health and Human Rights in Peru; Environmental Sustainability and Biodiversity of Peru and Environmental Justice as a Social Movement in Peru. Volunteer opportunities are also available in various NGO organizations.

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Video and Photos

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Cusco Peru Machu Picchu
Cusco Peru Children
Cusco Peru Weaving Arts
Cusco Peru Children
Cusco Peru Salt Flats Maras
Cusco Peru Volunteer
Cusco Peru Alpaca
Cusco Peru Architecture
Cusco Peru Children Volunteer
Shaman ceremony
Pisco market hat
Urubamba

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

IPSL is in solidarity with all summoned to action by the senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many other black brothers and sisters. IPSL wants to be of service to you and communities around the world to bring justice and healing and further advance the goals we all share. ​We believe in the power of service to unite and strengthen communities.
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LGBTQIA+ Support

IPSL admits and does not discriminate against students of any sex or sexual orientation. IPSL is proud to support social justice movements around the world through our Service, Scholarship, and Love. Then, as now, we are called to resist and speak out for what is right. LGBTQ+ Rights are Human Rights
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Neurodivergent Support

IPSL provides equal access to our programs for academically qualified students with physical, learning, or psychiatric disabilities.

Accessibility Support

IPSL admits students of any disability and makes available all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. It does not discriminate on the basis of disability in administration of its educational policies and programs, admission policies, merit scholarships or other organizations-administered programs.

Impact

Sustainability

IPSL works to lessen its carbon footprint on our increasingly fragile planet. Since study abroad can only take place by boarding a plane, IPSL contributes to sustainable projects in several countries whose efforts help mitigate the harmful effects of pollution and waste that result from traveling. In one academic year, IPSL can contribute funding to environmental organizations to offset close to 600,000 air miles flown by our students, staff, and faculty. In concrete terms, we remit funds to help plant trees around the world; those trees then absorb some of the harmful effects that result from our decisions.
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Ethical Impact

Since 1981, IPSL has facilitated over 471,000 volunteer hours in our partner communities, supported the work of hundreds of nonprofits and NGOs around the world, vigorously (and unapologetically) promoted social-racial-economic justice through service-based programming, research and publishing, scholarships/funding, and on social media. Recently, our organization launched new initiatives that will sustain our service-based mission into the future. At home, we maintain the same mindful practices by supporting local organizations that support the most vulnerable people. Large and small, every decision we make is about giving back and making our world a better and more just place.
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Program Highlights

  • IPSL programs focus on experiential learning, ethical service & engaged research. Now the independent IPSL Institute for Global Learning is authorized to offer academic credit, issue official transcripts and confer diplomas through the Master's level.
  • Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World! Machu Picchu!!!
  • Experience Cusco like a local rather than a tourist! Living, learning and serving with local allows a richer, more meaningful experience.
  • Take exciting courses and earn academic credit or take exciting courses because they're interesting, important and exciting
  • IPSL, the founder of Service-Learning, is a global education institute within Westminster University. They invest over 83% of their revenues directly back into the communities where they serve.

Scholarships

IPSL Global Engagement Grant

IPSL Global Engagement offers an automatic $5,500 grant for Graduate degree programs in International Development and Service (IDS MA) and the Community Organizing and Social Activism Degree (COSA MA) to any AmeriCorps Alum, Peace Corps returnee or Veteran. They accept all Segal Education Award(s)!

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Program Reviews

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  • Fun 5
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Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

Nov 29, 2018

Traveling to Peru with IPSL changed my life. Everyone says that happens when they study abroad but for me it is true. When I decided to go abroad with IPSL I was looking for a program that could help me increase my Spanish language skills, was academically rigorous and had service-learning so that I could learn to become a better activist and engage in the community. I did not want to be another tourist abroad. IPSL checked all these boxes for me. What it also did was help me change my life path through their eye-opening and engaging volunteer placements. Not only did I build skills that has allowed me to become the activist I am today but my volunteer placement working at an animal sanctuary helped me realize that I wanted to work with animals, something I never thought I would be engaged with. My experience with IPSL was so profound that I changed colleges and went on another IPSL program to Greece! There are many choices that you can make in your life but one choice you will never regret is studying abroad with IPSL.

87 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Dana Johnson

Program
Custom Environmental Justice, Indigenous Health & Human Rights in Peru
Job Title
Lead Management and Director of Faculty Led Programs

Dana worked for 20+ years in the wine business. Her final position was with an Australian wine company, which she represented in five US states. The wine business treated her well (& she still loves wine) but she was looking for something more meaningful and found that in IPSL. She is grateful to be working with the awesome people at IPSL as well as loving her interaction with students, faculty and site directors around the world!

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have had the good fortune to do a lot of traveling in my life. I have loved every trip that I’ve taken but perhaps my first, as a foreign exchange student to Turkey, has left the biggest imprint on my heart. It opened my eyes to our world and taught me a lot, including things about myself. I believe that it helped me become the person that I am today. While it wasn’t always a perfect situation, the frustrations, fears (& tears) and confusion, that I experienced, are never the memories that come to mind today.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have definitely been made more aware of the stresses that students are under (from school, family, general societal expectations) which has made me even more dedicated to helping them have the best study abroad experience possible.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Any time a student relays that an IPSL program has “changed their life”, “meant so much”, “opened them up for change”, “inspired them”, etc. and have continued to lead their life with service to others foremost in their minds…those are the best stories. And I’ve heard that a lot!!!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of many of IPSL’s programs around the world! And, I’ve enjoyed every single one of them. Each has its own highlights but it would be impossible to choose just one so I will say that Thessaloniki Greece, Cusco Peru & Cartagena Colombia hold a very special place in my heart. Our partners abroad are so awesome…I have always felt that I have not only departed a country with new insight and knowledge, I have departed having gained new friends.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Diversity in experience but commonality of beliefs & goals.

About IPSL Global Engagement at Westminster University

IPSL engages students, educators, and grassroots organizations around the world in hands-on service to promote equitable relationships, social justice, sustainable change, and a commitment to our shared humanity. IPSL offers fully accredited graduate programs and credit bearing, custom service-learning and language learning programs in nations...

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