The AASD-led programs are open for individual enrollment to undergraduate and graduate level students. In 2012, we ran our pilot program for J-term and since then, the AASD-led programs have evolved into a signature program that is offered twice a year.
Participants are encouraged to think critically about their role as global citizens and their role in international development and theory. Initial research topics are identified by the local community and the AASD, and at times the subsequent program builds off the previous. Many of the AASD-led programs focus on exploring sustainable agriculture themes because of the relevance to the location in the Sacred Valley, Peruvian culture, and the AASD agriculture initiatives. Agriculture is interconnected with gender roles, socioeconomics, politics, culture and climate change, giving us a wealth of research topics and directions. The curriculum is designed to give participants a substantial amount of autonomy to navigate the topic while new information unravels, and to take ownership over the program and their experience. Participants will approach the research with appropriate contextual information and research methods in order to carry out participatory action research. Research methods may include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other participatory data collection approaches. We also incorporate a variety of workshops, activities, and guest lectures in our programs to present the research topic from diverse perspectives, allowing and encouraging group reflection.
Check out what students have done in 2018, 2019, and 2020 here.
*Please note that while AASD is not a direct credit course, we have had success working with faculty and universities to provide credits to participants for these experiences. Let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in receiving credit for this practicum so that we can work with you.
One of the best parts of my experience working with the AASD was having the opportunity to live in a homestay. As soon as I arrived in Calca, I was warmly welcomed into the home of my host mom María and her daughter Yahaira. Over time, I grew close to my host family, and I became exposed to various aspects of Peruvian culture. I looked forward to dinner time in my homestay where we’d consistently have delicious Peruvian dishes, and share stories from our days. Not only did my host family give me the opportunity to practice my Spanish, but I was really made to feel like a member of their family.
Interning for the Andean Alliance taught me how to open my mind, build relationships with people from other cultures, and embrace the process just as much as the end result. It was an amazing balance between adventure and work, as we got to explore the Sacred Valley and engage with several different communities in only three weeks. Ultimately, the AASD allowed me to develop a much deeper perspective about the meaning of development – I had learned about it in classes, but seeing how development works in real communities made what I had learned in class much more interesting, tangible, and complex.
You’re a good match for our programs if your academic and professional interests include international development, participatory action research, Latin America and/or Spanish. The nature and setting of our programs require flexibility, autonomy, excellent social and intercultural communication skills, a sense of adventure and tons of curiosity.
For AASD-led programs, you will stay with one of our trusted, vetted host families. These families all live within a ten minute walk of the office. You will have your own bedroom but will share a bathroom with the family and/or other participants. We generally have 2-3 participants per family. Families live in modest, but comfortable, homes with electricity, hot water and Western-style bathrooms. They generally speak only Spanish. Before you arrive we will have you fill out a survey that will help us place you with the most appropriate family.
The AASD office is located in Calca, a town of about 9,000 people located along the Urubamba River of the Sacred Valley. Calca is situated about 2,928 meters (9,606 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by the southern highlands of the Andes that offer beautiful views and hiking trails of various levels of difficulty. The town has two markets, a bus terminal, two banks with ATMs, a gym, a hospital and clinics, and a modest amount of stores, restaurants, and cafes – all within walking distance of the office and host families’ homes. Though it is a small community with less tourists than neighboring towns, Calca is just an hour-and-a-half combi (public bus) ride away from the city of Cusco, making it easily accessible and well-equipped. It’s also only 25 minutes away from Pisac, a vibrant little town that is a bit more touristy, with a variety of restaurants, shops, a bustling market for all of your souvenir-buying needs, and a beautiful archaeological site. For those who want to visit Machu Picchu on a weekend, you’re in luck! The train stations in Cusco or in Ollantaytambo (around an hour away from Calca) will get you there in a few hours.
You can expect to work from roughly 9-5, Monday through Friday during our programs, though we also give a few 3-4 day weekends for our longer programs. The first few days are usually devoted to orientation: getting to know each other, becoming familiar with the context of the area and the topic, going over health and safety, and getting acclimated to the altitude. We know how important it is to get out of the office, so anticipate at least one or two community visits per week. Lunches Monday-Friday are as a group, and breakfasts and dinners are with your host families most days (during our longer programs, weekends are free for you to explore).
While AASD is not a direct credit course, we have had success working with faculty and universities to provide credits to students for these experiences. Let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in receiving credit for this practicum so that we can work with you and your sending institution.
The AASD programs vary in terms of specific language requirements. If there is a base language requirement for their program this will be discussed with the student during the initial interview phase. While it is recommended that all participants have a basic conversational level of Spanish, this is not required for many programs. We hope participants will be motivated to interact with locals and speak as much Spanish as they can during their time in Peru in order to get the most out of their experience.
Quechua is one of Peru’s official languages and is commonly spoken in indigenous communities. Depending on the program itinerary, it is likely that participants will interact with community members that speak Quechua. Participants are not required to know Quechua, as the AASD has interpreters for community site visits.
Yes, most dietary restrictions (vegan, vegetarian, allergies, gluten-free) can be accommodated, though this may limit the diversity of your meals. Food in Peru usually consists of various grains (often rice or quinoa), meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Our host families and cooks are trained to adapt dishes to fit different needs and we are in constant communication with them about any allergies or dietary needs.
Because of the high altitude, Calca does not have problems with mosquitoes or mosquito borne illnesses. The CDC suggests that travelers to all parts of Peru make sure they are up to date on routine vaccines, as well as Hepatitis A and Typhoid, as these can be contracted through contaminated water or food. The AASD recommends that participants consult a travel doctor 4-6 weeks prior to the trip to learn what vaccines or other precautions are recommended for this area.
There is no visa requirement to enter Peru for North Americans (Canada and USA). If your passport is issued by a different country, you’ll want to consult https://www.peru.travel/en/useful-data/visa-and-entry-requirements
Upon entry into Peru, participants will go through customs, where they will receive a tourist visa stamp that is valid for 30-183 days. For programs or travel lasting longer than 30 days, participants simply need to ask for the required amount of time at airport customs.
Many schools provide and/or require international medical insurance for their students traveling abroad. We require all program participants to have international medical insurance. If you do not have international medical insurance and need to purchase it, there are many providers listed on the internet. The following are some international medical insurance companies that provide reasonably priced insurance:
AASD-led programs require a nonrefundable deposit. The amount and due date of this deposit is dependent on the program, and you will be informed of this by the program coordinator. Should you decide to drop out of a program prior to arrival in Peru, your program fee, excluding the nonrefundable deposit, will be returned to you. Once you have begun a program the program fee is nonrefundable. In the event of departure due to an emergency, the option of a refund will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
Your safety while in Peru is of the highest importance to the AASD and we work hard to ensure your health and well being. However, we recognize that the area where we live and work presents adherent risks. Steps have been taken to manage these risks, but nothing can guarantee complete protection from harm. The AASD recommends that participants take the time to familiarize themselves with research of the area and the possible health hazards before committing to a program, and that all possible steps are taken for personal protection.
The AASD has identified appropriate nearby clinics that are available to support participants in the event of a health concern. We also have a detailed health and safety plan with policies and procedures that we can share on request or upon acceptance to our program.
You will receive a Student Handbook, which goes into detail about health, safety and other important information, policies, protocols, and procedures. You are required to read this handbook prior to arriving in Peru. Supplemental information related to your specific program and topic will also be sent along. Expect to have pre-arrival readings to do before you begin! On our end, we will ask you to submit flight information, health and dietary considerations, allergies, and other pertinent information to ensure you have a safe program with us.
SInce 2010, the AASD has established confianza (trust) with many communities. Depending on the community, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 3 hours to arrive. All of the communities where the AASD works are at a higher altitude than Calca and have limited amenities because of the remote location. The communities are welcoming to the AASD and participants see firsthand a different approach to sustainable agriculture and overall lifestyle. The local communities are incredibly resilient and are the best places for applied learning. No AASD-led program is complete without community visits and interacting with the local communities. Check out the different communities we work in at Where We Work.
The community visits stay relevant to the research topic and objective; therefore, each AASD-led program looks different with which and how many communities are visited throughout the duration of the program. A lot of times, the iterative process exposes more places and communities that would be impossible to plan prior to the program. We usually visit a community towards the end of the first week (after adjusting to the altitude) and then, at least 1-2 more each week as the program continues.