SOUTH AMERICA STUDY
ABROAD PROGRAMS
Note: Program full for 2013. Apply early for 2014.
The City - Piura, Peru
Few destinations have as much to offer visitors as Peru, an astonishingly varied country. Peru is best known as the heart of the Inca empire, but it was home to many diverse indigenous cultures long before the Incas arrived. Peru’s population is divided almost equally between the highlands and the population centers of the coast, and the division marks a sharp cultural as well as geographic divide. The inland regions are marked by extreme poverty and subsistence agriculture, while the fertile river valleys of the lowlands have produced a wealthier, more cosmopolitan culture. Almost half of Peru’s people are Indian, while another one third or so are mestizo. Although Spanish is Peru’s official language, a multitude of indigenous languages continue to hold sway in the highlands.
Piura served as the first main port through which the Inca gold the Spaniards had gathered was shipped back to Spain. As the most ancient colonial city in Peru, its location was changed three times before it was established on its present inland desert location about 45 minutes from the coast in northern Peru. The cathedral of Piura was built in 1588.
Piura is host to a stunning mestizo culture (Piura is the first Spanish city in South America) and is famous for gastronomical dishes like Seco de Chavelo (the local dish), Algarrobina drinks, Pisco Sour (the national drink), many types of Cebiche and Natilla Sweets. Popular crafts are the Chulucana Pottery and Catacaos is famous for its “Hats” and “Silversmith” arts. The Tondero and cumanana is the traditional music of mestizo Piura and northern parts Lambayeque.
The Program - Community Nursing Summer Program in Piura
On this program, Nursing students have the unique opportunity to complete their community clinical experience in Piura, Peru, after completing their community theory course at Marquette.
This month long stay focuses on community health nursing at a Catholic parish called Sacramento Santisimo in Piura. 2012 will mark the fifth year that Marquette University College of nursing has offered this clinical nursing experience for academic credit. Sacramento Santisimo parish has a well-trained nursing staff and an excellent health clinic including a surgical suite for visiting medical teams from the US. If the medical teams are visiting, MU students assist in the pre/post-surgical areas. In addition, students are able to work in the parish clinic with staff nurses who monitor pregnant women and/ or a general clinic. However, most of the time is spent with the ‘poorest of the poor’ in the surrounding villages. Home visits and teaching groups of village women are the favorite activities for the students. After the initial exposure to profound poverty, the students adapt quickly to working in homes with bamboo walls, corrugated tin roofs and dirt floors with minimal resources. In addition, the students have experiences in a parish-operated hospice, teaching health-related information to school children, working in an emergency room with Peruvian physicians and nurses as well as an experience in a nursing home.
Most students discover this international opportunity to be a “life-changing monumental experience!” In debriefing one frequently hears how “thinking has been changed”. Another phrase heard is that insight has been gained into the importance of a connected community, both locally and globally. It is an opportunity that is always rewarding.
academics
Eligibility
Nursing majors with a minimum of senior standing at the time of program; Spanish language skills preferred
Language
Courses taught in English; Spanish language skills are greatly valued and recommended for the clinical experience
Orientation
Students will attend an orientation prior to departure
Courses offered
This program is led by Dr. Darlene Weis, College of Nursing. Students complete the 3 credit Community Theory course on campus, prior to traveling to Piura and complete the 3 credit clinical portion in country. Because these are Marquette courses, grades will appear on the MU transcript and will factor into students’ GPA.
housing
Students in this program stay in the Catholic parish housing with visitors from various organizations. Meals are provided by the parish.
Dates
This is a short-term faculty-led summer program.
| SUMMER 2013 | Session 1 | Session 2 |
| Program begins | May 31 | June 21 |
| Program ends | June 28 | July 19 |
visa & travel
A student visa is not required for this program. A group flight may be organized. Students who wish to do personal travel before or after the program make their own flight arrangements. Student Universe (www.studentuniverse.com) and STA Travel (www.statravel.com) are two travel agencies that can often help students find flexible, discounted tickets.
COSTS
| Tuition | Program Fee | Meals | Books | Airfare | Passport/Visa | Other* | Total |
| $2,040 | $800 | $50 | $100 | $1,400 | $165 | $100 | $4,655 |
*Other costs include estimated personal expenses.
Billing: Program fee includes airfare, housing, meals, and transportation in Peru.
Please note: all cost and financial information are provided to the best of our knowledge and should be considered as approximate estimates only.
Program Type
This program is a Marquette faculty-led program, so most financial aid generally applies. To learn more about how the program will affect your specific aid package, go to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Office of International Education
