After Graduation Adventure

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.