STUdents Return to Campus with New Perspective after Weeklong Experiential Learning Trip to Peru Sponsored by Global Skills Opportunity

 

Seven STUdents travelled to Peru during the Fall Reading Week as part of the university’s international experiential learning program. The trip had three educational themes: education in rural communities, Indigenous reconciliation and history, and intercultural development.

The group participated in cooking and recreational activities within rural schools, toured the historical downtown of Lima, attended music lessons, travelled to Cusco and saw the marvels of Machu Picchu, and reflected on Indigenous reconciliation efforts abroad through a visit to the Place of Memory, Tolerance, and Social Inclusion.

“A dream come true” – STUdent Tyrese Paul

Tyrese Paul, from Sitansisk Wolastoqey Nation (St. Mary’s First Nation), is majoring in Native Studies, with a minor in Spanish and Latin American Studies. He said the experience was “a dream come true.”

“Peru is a beautiful country, filled with complex history, and an evidentappreciation for community. Travelling to Machu Picchu was something I always dreamed of, and I didn’t think I would have been able to go until I was older, so being able to go as a STUdent fulfilled this dream,” Paul said.

He was able to immerse himself in the Spanish language, and practically apply the knowledge and skills he has been gaining in classes at STU.

“It was great to immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking country for the first time,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to add a third language to my skillset, so after taking Spanish courses at STU, and then going on this trip, I feel so much more confident to spark conversations with others in Spanish. I have a deeper appreciation of multilingual people after going on this trip.”

The trip also clarified Paul’s career goals, as he nears graduation.

“I had never left Canada before this experience, and now I realize that I want to go to communities like the ones we visited in Peru and keep building mutual learning,” he said. “I’ve realized that I want to go into language education, and to pursue further credentials so I can hopefully achieve an internationally-focused career.”

An ideal end to a STU Anthropology degree

Kendra Kilpatrick is an Anthropology student from Quispamsis, NB, in her final year of studies. She said she was able to put so much in-class learning to use during this experiential learning trip.

“Studying Anthropology helps prepare you to experience a new culture, enables you to build questions in advance, and teaches you how to be careful with your communication—how to be willing to change your perspective, adapt to a new point-of-view,” Kilpatrick said.

“Anthropology has taught me that your biases shouldn’t influence how you approach an event. When we went weaving, I didn’t want to approach it with how I’ve done weaving in Canada, and instead tried to learn about how they do it in Peru.”

Kilpatrick said she knew this global experience would be a strong addition to her professional resume and academic CV and is glad she was able to add this trip to her list of university experiences.

“I am now strongly considering an international career where I can apply my Anthropology degree. I want to do more research, delve further into education, and explore possibilities in working abroad.”

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This project is funded by Global Skills Opportunity, the Government of Canada’s outbound mobility pilot program.