On Semester in Cusco, you’ll take up to 5 courses, a combination of Spanish-language and Peru-focused courses taught in English. All levels of Spanish, from beginner to advanced, can be accommodated. A placement test taken when you arrive in Peru will determine the best language course for you. The classes are highly interactive, and the field trips built into the curriculum will help you gain a true understanding and appreciation of this magnificent area.
GPA Required: 2.5. If you find your GPA is lower than the requirement, do not despair! Use the "Contact An Advisor" button on this page or call us to let us know your situation. We'll do all we can to find the right program for you.
How to choose your courses
Now the fun part! As part of the application process you will be required to complete the CISabroad Course Selection Worksheet found in the CISabroad Application Page. The following instructions will guide you through the steps of choosing your courses.
Course load: 5 classes (15 US credits)
Course approval: It is best to get 7–8 classes approved before you go abroad. This gives you some flexibility in setting up your class schedule. Think about courses required for your major, but also courses that fulfill your elective requirements.
Course descriptions and catalog:
Spanish (Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced)
You’ll develop the language skills you need to express ideas and understand everyday needs.
History of the Inca Civilization (English)
Learn the prehistory of civilizations in the central Andean region, with critical and updated opinion about the studied historical periods and the great Inca Civilization.
Contemporary Society and Culture of Peru (English)
Peruvian society has undergone a series of transformations enriched by Andean, Occidental, and Amazonian traditions. These transformations will be addressed from historical, anthropological, and sociological perspectives.
Biodiversity of Peru (English)
Peru’s astonishing biodiversity puts it among the top 12 most biodiverse countries in the world. This theoretical course will focus on developing the skills needed to analyze and value the components of biodiversity. You’ll identify the potentials of this biodiversity and the tools needed for its sustainable use and conservation.
Inca Architecture (English)
This amazing course will develop knowledge of, as well as interest in, the concepts, techniques, and architecture and urban management of Andean society represented by the Inca culture.
Art & Design in Cusco (English)
The course is aimed at critical analysis of the history of Cusco’s art from a visual perspective, creating new spaces for reflection. Artistic expressions from the different periods of its cultural development are studied and interpreted, within the framework of their particular contexts of time and space.
Photography (English)
While in Cusco, you’ll take hundreds of photographs. In order to have the best shots, you’ll learn the photographic production process, including the study of visual treatment, lighting and mastery of digital photography resources. You will take the best photos of Machu Picchu, rivers, churches, archaeological sites, markets, and people, using the appropriate composition and measures.
Latin American Literature (Spanish)
This theoretical-practical course develops the skills you need to read critically and value Latin American literature through detailed analysis of poetry and novels.