Cusco, Perú: Spanish Language and Cultures

Who should apply: 

This program is for anyone that wants to improve their Spanish and is interested in other, especially indigenous, cultures: 

• Spanish Language and Cultures Majors/minors at UWT: This program completes one of the graduation requirements for the major and applies toward the minor coursework. 

• Students in other majors such as social work, healthcare, or communications for which a strong working knowledge of Spanish and in-country cultural experience would be an asset: The immersion structure of the program promotes quick advancement towards fluency. 

• Students that want to deepen their connection to their own family histories, either through language or cultural experience.  

• Students interested in the cultures of South America/Latin America. 

• Students interested in the histories of South America/Latin America. 

• Students that need to complete their language requirement for graduation: this program fulfills the university's basic language requirement for all majors. 

Program Highlights

Spanish: 

In this intensive, immersive foreign language program, participants will have the opportunity to significantly improve their Spanish language skills in a relatively short period of time. The daily coursework includes classes on conversation, culture, and grammar. In addition to this experience, participants will have plenty of opportunity to practice what they learn with their host family and in the local communities. 

Cultures:

This five week program affords students the opportunity to experience life in Cusco that is unavailable to most visitors. The home stay with a Peruvian family allows students to integrate themselves into the daily life of the people of this city, thus experiencing what it is like to be a part of this culture rather than just seeing it from the outside. 

History: 

Cusco is a location of historic significance and outstanding beauty. It’s history as the ancient capital of the Inca Empire gives visitors a unique window into the past. As part of the program, students will visit the Machu Picchu World Heritage Site, as well as have easy access to the Sacred Valley of the Inca, and other important historical sites. In addition, the Incan influence can be seen and felt all over the city itself. 

This study abroad program is led by Augie Machine from UW Tacoma. Check out the video above to hear directly from the program directors during our latest Instagram Live Q+A!

Academic Content

Students will study Spanish at their current level and there are no prerequisites or language requirements for this program. 

Students will attend daily classes and are expected to complete the assignments, read the material, and write essays all in the target language. 

TSPAN 199, 299 or 393 Foreign Study in Spanish (10 credits)

The ten credits are awarded for Foreign Study in Spanish, TSPAN 199, 299 or 393, depending on the student's previous study of Spanish and level of proficiency. TSPAN 393 can be used for the Spanish Language and Cultures major and minor at UWT. The TSPAN 299 course prepares students to take more 300-level Spanish classes when they return to campus. Ten credits of TSPAN 199 is an excellent starting point for beginners or near-beginners and also satisfies the UWT language requirement for graduation. Students will need to take a placement exam to determine the level of class work they will do in Perú. All grammar, conversation, and culture classes are taught by experienced native speakers.

Learning Goals Include:

• Improve grammatical and vocabulary knowledge of Spanish.
• Improve fluency and accuracy of conversation in Spanish.
• Improve cultural knowledge of Perú (literature, art, cinema, etc.).

Goals will be assessed through exams, homework, projects, and participation in class activities.

TIAS 498: Independent Study  (2 credits)

This is a two-credit, culture-based, independent study that specifically pertains to Cusco and the surrounding area. The course will require three (3) reflection papers: a travel journal reflection, an art reflection on the work of one of several local artists, and a personal interview and cultural reflection.

Learning Goals Include:

• This independent study allows for meaningful engagement with the host country, takes advantage of the unique study abroad experience, and is an additional source of practice of Spanish. Goals will be assessed through the 3 required student essays.

Program Schedule

All work will be completed by the end of Summer Term A, allowing students the option of taking term B courses during summer quarter. The program runs from June 10 - July 12, 2024.

Housing and Food 

While in Cusco, students will be housed with carefully chosen Peruvian families. From Monday to Sunday, the host family provides students with two main meals a day. Students planning to eat out during the week or to be away from their host families on weekends are responsible for paying the additional expense of those meals. Homestays provide students with a safe and comfortable environment that allows students to integrate themselves in the daily life of the community. Costs are based on double occupancy.

Field Trips

As a part of the program, students will visit Machu Picchu, the pre-Columbian UNESCO World Heritage archeological site. The excursion will give participants a chance to visit a smaller, more rural part of Peru, and will connect their interactions with indigenous people to the peoples' heritage and history. 

Student Eligibility

This program is open to all students from all three UW campuses.

Application Deadline (extended!)

Applications are due on March 31, 2024. This is the final deadline extension. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions a few weeks after the deadline. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program two weeks after hearing about accceptances. Click the "Apply Now" button above to begin.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Cusco, Perú.

Visas

There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens to travel to Perú.

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be travelling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program. 

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $4,850.

Included in the cost of the program:

• $470 Administrative Fee
• Instruction
• Housing and food 
• Program activities and program travel

Not included:

• Airfare
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)

Payment Due Date: July 5, 2024

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2024 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.