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My Short Experience Studying Abroad in Cuzco, Perú.

Four weeks in Peru is all it took for me to fall in love with the landscape, culture, and its people.

Gillianolortegui

Nov 15, 2019

University of South Florida

My Short Experience Studying Abroad in Cuzco, Perú.

Gillian Olortegui

In May 2019, I got to experience Peru alongside a cohort of Honors College students. My time there can be succinctly summarized answering three questions:

What was your favorite part about studying abroad?

Our everyday morning view from our hostel

Gillian Olortegui

My favorite part about studying abroad was getting into a regular routine with my roommates so we could maximize our short stay. We would wake up at 5:00 AM to watch the beautiful Cuzco sun radiate over the mountains, and go to sleep before 10 PM to do it all over again. I didn't have to worry about school work and could fully dive into to any project and activity we were participating in. Lastly, I loved exploring the Cuzco markets with my roommates and other peers because we could practice our Spanish with the merchants and purchase gifts and souvenirs to bring to family and friends back home.

What was the most meaningful part of the trip?

The sacred lakes of Ausangate

Gillian Olortegui

The most meaningful part of the trip was most certainly the 2-day excursion to Ausangate Mountain. We stayed with a family in the Pacchanta community, 4300m above sea level (about 14,107ft), and during the first night we sat around a campfire eating delicious pasta and singing songs. Our trip facilitator Jess had a harmonium (a keyboard-accordion hybrid), hand drum, and ukulele, and we sang songs in Spanish guided by her and Kelly, another facilitator. I loved that we were able to sing songs in a language that resonated with the local family we were with; this connection through song transformed us into one cohesive community for the night. The next day, we prepared ourselves for a meditative walk in the direction of the sacred lakes while we approached the base of Ausangate Mountain, and got to experience first-handedly the power of Andean mountains.

What was the key takeaway from the trip?

This is supposed to be a picture of Jess and Kelly but I'm not sure what happened

Gillian Olortegui

The key takeaway for me was getting to explore my own professional aspirations and opportunities with the help of the faculty who came on this trip with us. I loved getting to learn about anthropological work with Ella, a Peruvian anthropologist who is also a professor at my university, and Jess and Kelly's work in change agents through the Peaceworks organization. This trip gave me the motivation and pathway to change my major to International Studies with the goal of working internationally, advocating for other countries and getting to experience their unique ways of living on this Earth. Another key takeaway for me was my newfound love for Spanish, Quechua (the indigenous Peruvian language), and world languages in general, which has motivated me to seek other opportunities where I can learn a foreign language by immersing myself into that country's culture.

I would encourage everyone to look at their school's option for studying abroad because many times than not, the opportunity is not far out of reach!

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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best beatles lyrics

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Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

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Recommended for you

My Short Experience Studying Abroad in Cuzco, Perú.

Four weeks in Peru is all it took for me to fall in love with the landscape, culture, and its people.

What was your favorite part about studying abroad?

What was the most meaningful part of the trip?

What was the key takeaway from the trip?

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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