In this four-credit short term study abroad program, Arequipa, Peru will be our home base from where we will travel across the country and visit many cultural and historical locations. We will visit iconic locations such as Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon as well as areas off the beaten path, embedded within the natural majesty and rich culture of Peru. Most of our learning will take place on the ground, while traveling as well as in the form community education, community learning projects and workshops with our partnering university – Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria (UCSM). We will observe and interact with people across the lifespan and discuss lifespan development as it relates to the social and cultural forces that shape it across history, across conditions and across our own lives. This is the experience of a lifetime. Be prepared to be constantly awed and humbled.

This program fulfills the Lifespan Development or Development requirement and provides students with the opportunity to fulfill their Cor 2 general education requirements.

Activities include: A week stay in Arequipa, cultural workshops and academic learning in partnership with UCSM, art, history and cultural sites around Arequipa, travel to Colca Canyon, walking/hiking in the Andes (optional), hot springs in Yanque, trip to see the Andean Condors, travel to the Sacred valley: Cusco and area museums, and heritage sites Sacsayhuaman (horseback optional), ruins in Ollanteyntambo, Pisaq, Moray and train trip to Machu Picchu, a beach trip to the Arequipan Pacific Coast, finishing in Arequipa to present final project.


Passports: If you are considering applying for this program, we recommend applying for a passport as soon as possible. Processing times can take 4-6 weeks.

Health & Safety:
This program involves travel to high altitude locations.

In addition, this program involves travel to locations where accessibility for people with mobility concerns may be limited. For example, walkways may not always be paved and there may not be ramps or elevators in all public spaces.


Edgewood College continues to review and implement new health and safety protocols as we monitor risks. The health and safety of our community and the communities in which we travel and engage are our top priority. We will inform applicants if any modifications or cancellations are made to their program. Before applying, please carefully consider the health, financial, academic, and other risks associated with international travel.