Alumni Replicate on Westminster Alumni Travel

This October, Westminster alumni launched into a Westminster Alumni Travel expertise to Peru–the second journey of this system following a visit to Greece earlier this 12 months. Alumni have been joined by professors Connie Etter and Peggy Cain, together with native program hosts from the International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (IPSL). We requested two alumni members to share their reflections from the journey. 

Monica F. (left) and Maddie Hayes (proper) at Machu Picchu

“Why are you interested in attending this trip?” Great query. Humber, from IPSL,
requested us earlier than the journey and as soon as once more as soon as we landed within the nation. My reply waffled.
Initially I expressed curiosity in studying about Inca cosmovision and studying extra
in regards to the Quechua individuals who dwell in Peru right this moment. (So educational, proper?) Many people
expressed their bucket listing need to go to Machu Picchu. Upon arriving in Peru, I
fessed as much as the extra correct purpose I wished to go to Peru: to journey with Dr. Peggy
Cain! I graduated from the Master of Arts in Community Organization and Leadership (MACOL) program in Spring 2024, and I relished the chance to journey with my program
director and proceed to be taught from her. 

This journey was considered one of my favourite experiences touring overseas. Of course I used to be anxious
forward of time. My stage 7 Duolingo Spanish rating did NOT lower it, and my meat and potatoes
upbringing has made me cautious of any meals with an excessive amount of spice or, like, taste. Luckily the
Peruvians I met have been affected person and sort, and the meals was STELLAR. Peru is the land
of the potato, and my life is without end modified. 

More importantly, this journey embodied my favourite components of the MACOL program: neighborhood
and connection, and there have been IPSL people working behind the scenes to make it occur
(along with Peggy, after all). I used to be not stunned to encounter these ideas
within the pre-trip studying Peggy shared with us.   

In these readings and through Teams conferences, we realized about Inca cosmovision–the Inca
means of understanding the world and their place within the universe–that centered on neighborhood,
reciprocity, and complementary opposites. Those ideas have been solidified and the values
embodied within the folks we met–like Ana, Felipa, and Jeremy–who taught us a lot in Peru. 

Ana 

I beloved “Anita.” She welcomed us to the Cusco Planetarium wholeheartedly, telling us how the planetarium was a piece of affection and a household venture.
In addition to orienting the telescopes for us to look at the celebrities within the sky (alongside
coworker/pal, Johana), Anita offered us with a improbable presentation. She informed
us how the Incas relied on the cosmos to information their agricultural practices with the
science of astronomy dictating outer house and cultural astronomy dictating internal
house. She informed us tales of toads and the condor, how a various neighborhood is a powerful
neighborhood, and the challenges from local weather change, notably upon the El Niño cycle.

Felipa 

When we visited Chinchero, Oscar launched us to Felipa. He had requested one of many ladies promoting gadgets inside
the Chinchero gate who ought to converse with us in regards to the web site, they usually directed him
to Felipa. We realized in regards to the impression of the worldwide airport being inbuilt
the middle of city and the way it has already affected the area people. Felipa mentioned
being a frontrunner of the native ladies who advocated to have the ability to promote their gadgets inside
the gates of the archaeological web site. She expressed concern about what the airport
would carry: much less agricultural house for farming, extra rifraff (my phrases, not hers).
Felipa was very excited that we wished to be taught from her. She informed us about her daughter
learning to be an anthropologist and was thrilled to listen to about an anthropologist
in our midst: our personal Dr. Connie Etter! 

Jeremy 

I’d be remiss to not point out Jeremy, our information. He knew a lot about every of
the archaeological websites, together with Machu Picchu. He mirrored on Hiram Bingham pictures
he had seen within the Peabody Museum. He described his personal experiences as a religious Catholic
who respects Pacha Mama. He recognized birds after we requested and answered questions on who can personal a salt mine in Maras. And extra importantly, he translated for the non-Spanish audio system within the group, guaranteeing
we realized what we would have liked to know. He is a real “Cuzqueño,” somebody from Cusco who
went to school with somebody who painted a piece at Quorikancha showing the Inca ceque system, who grew up with the chef at a restaurant the place we ate, and managed to peripherally
know Anita from the planetarium. 

My friends!

You can by no means assure {that a} group goes to “vibe,” however I feel all of us got here to
Peru with curiosity and a real need to be taught. It was a pleasant collision of
worlds as I met undergrad alums for the primary time, met fellow MACOL grads, and bought
to know some Westminster coworkers even higher. I invited my mentor/pricey pal, Monica,
alongside for the journey. It was nice to have a debrief buddy each night–and somebody
to humor me as I counted the variety of canines I noticed on a regular basis (438 by the tip of the
journey). 

I’d enterprise to say the locations we noticed and the folks we met wouldn’t have occurred
had we not linked with the native IPSL employees. A price of the MACOL program is to
not make assumptions–to permit your self to interact in a spot and be open to studying,
and this was important on this journey as we maneuvered cultural norms and a language
barrier.  
 
My journal is full of particulars, all of which I’d like to share, but when I had
one factor to say about my Peru expertise, it’s this: touring alongside Peggy, Monica,
fellow Westminster alumni, and a few new pals allowed me to attach with the folks
and place in a means I’d not have skilled had I been on my own. Relying on native
specialists, we ate among the finest meals and immersed ourselves in a really distinctive expertise.
It appears like a fever dream, as I sit in my favourite Salt Lake espresso store typing
up this verbose submit. 
 
Big because of the IPSL people who welcomed us to Peru, and large because of Peggy, who
admitted to cramming a ton of actions right into a small period of time however, in doing
so, uncovered us to a few of my favourite journey overseas experiences. And because of Monica,
as at all times, for being up for the journey.

–Maddie Hayes (MACOL ’24)

To learn Maddie’s full narrative, please visit her blog. 

Hailee Hernandez at Machu Picchu

Being a first-generation faculty pupil, it has been a dream to be part of the
Westminster alumni household. It was an honor to journey to Peru with different Westminster
alumni and employees who’re passionate lifelong learners.

The expertise started with integral academic materials to assist us perceive the
indigenous historical past and tradition inside Peru. Receiving that info months prior
to the journey actually helped set the stage for a scholarly trip. We explored varied
elements of Cusco: Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. In
addition to breathtaking websites like Sacred Valley, Moray, salt swimming pools at Maras and
the Pisac archeological web site. We spent half a day having fun with the historic views of Machu
Picchu, one of many seven wonders of the world. It was nearly energizing to be immersed
within the Andes Mountains inside an expansive historic Inca citadel.  

Throughout our journey we delved into the wealthy chronology of many indigenous folks by
studying from their museums, cathedrals and monasteries. We acquired a presentation
from John on the Parque de Papas in regards to the huge range of potatoes and the essential position they play in preserving
native communities’ means of agricultural reliance. They shared how every month of the
12 months performs a significant position in guaranteeing the communities have meals 12 months round. They rely
on centuries outdated indigenous information to assist their strategies of meals storage and
seed preservation. We have been invited to interrupt bread or because the Peruvians name it tortillas
de papa with scrumptious selfmade cheese and stone floor salsa comprised of contemporary Sachatomate
(native tree tomato) with many alternative communities inside Cusco.  

The communities and households we had the privilege of assembly made the journey extraordinarily
distinctive. We acquired a tour of a neighborhood three era household’s residence and property
the place they elevate sacred guinea pigs and different animals. We participated in a religious
providing with a Quechua Priest in Sacred Valley.  

As an indigenous particular person, this journey solidified the wonder and immense information each
indigenous tradition brings to this world. I’m very grateful for this as soon as in a lifetime
expertise with my fellow indigenous brothers and sisters and Griffin household! 

 –Hailee Hernandez (MACOL ’22)

Join Westminster on the subsequent chapter of Westminster Alumni Travel with an unforgettable journey to Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2026.