By Nichole D., Guest Blogger and SALUD Medical Spanish in Peru participant

Finally I have made it to my final destination of Cusco, Peru.  I was greeted at the airport by my gracious house mom, Nancy.  She has many children and two grandchildren Fabio and Francesca who are over at the house all the time and are so fun! We take turns singing the alphabet (them in English, me in Spanish) and practice our colors, shapes, numbers etc.  It´s like I´m in 1st grade all over again!  

In the morning,  my roommate, Dalya, and I walk to our school which is about a 20 minute walk.  We have spanish classes from 8-11:15,   which can be a little long, but on our half hour break, its fun to meet the other students who have come from all over the world to be here.   There are 2 girls from Belgium, a guy from England, one from Switzerland and several from all over the US, but so far, I think I´m the only California girl!

After our classes, we go back home for lunch which is the biggest meal of the day here.  Usually 3 courses consisting of these huge corn kernels that you are supposed to eat whole, cheese, a hearty soup, and a main dish of rice and some sort of thick potatoe stew.  For drinks we have Maize Jugo  (purple corn juice) which is pretty plain but good.  After lunch, its back to school for tours….yesterday we had a walking tour of  the city and while the whole thing was in spanish, surprisingly I learned a lot!  Today we go back to have a tour of a huge market here called Market San Pedro and are also going to be given a tour of several medicinal plants.           

The main center of the city is the Plaza Del Armas and it is absolutely gorgeous!  I want to go there every day and just take in the beautiful churches, fountains and parks.

It´s crazy how completely immersed I´ve been in spanish here…you really have no choice!  Today I even had a slight politcal discussion with Nancy´s son as this Sunday is Peru´s independence day from their socialist rule to their new  communist government.  Wish I could have talked to him more, but the communica tio n barrier was a little tough  talking politics.  But we both definitely agreed  that we hope things will change for Peru in this upcoming year!

Time to go back to school for the tour!

Read all of Nichole's blogs

See all Peru Spanish schools

By Katie B., Guest Blogger and SALUD Medical Spanish Student in Buenos Aires, Argentina

My first week was awesome. I can hardly imagine the week getting much better.

I had four days of Spanish class in the beginner level. It was just me, and another student from Poland named Ania. Our teacher, Brenda was great. She challenged us, and forced us to converse as early as day one. I loved that our classroom was so small, it enabled Ania and I to really focus on our weakness and build upon our strengths. The week terminated with an exam on Friday. Of course, as a medical student, I studied very hard for it. Ania and I supported each other throughout the week, and even studied together on Thursday. It paid off, and we both did well enough to move onward to the next level. Hurray!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful host “abuela.” Each day, I understand more of what she is saying, and I can contribute more to our dinner conversation. The relationship we are building is truly amazing. Although she is 55 years older than me, we have a strong relationship and I look forward to it growing as the weeks continue and my Spanish develops further. This is my first immersion experience, and I can honestly say that immersion is the ONLY WAY to get a language. I am forced to speak in Spanish all day, and it is pushing me to learn quickly.

The students at school are great. I have met many of them, and we got together on Friday night to have some drinks and go out. We ended up staying at a restaurant until 2 a.m. talking and eating pizza. Sunday night we got some parrilla (see pictures) and spent four and a half hours talking, eating, and drinking wine. Parrilla is the Argentinean style of barbequing meat and it is fantastic. While here, I want to soak up as much Argentine culture as possible.

This week’s goals: tango and “real” maté. I have been to multiple cafes, ordered maté, and it just a regular old teabag. I am determined to get the fancy cup and matching metal “straw.” I will let you know how that goes. Until next time –

Hasta pronto!

Read all of Katie B.'s blog entries

Find out more about AmeriSpan's Argentina Spanish schools

By Nichole D., Guest Blogger and SALUD Medical Spanish in Peru participant

I know many of my close friends and family have been asking if I'll start a blog while abroad and well, here it is!  My goal while abroad is to update this blog as much as I can…at the very least I'll post a new blog twice a week.

In just a little over a week I will be starting my journey to Cusco, Peru where I will be living for an entire month!

For those of you that don't know, I will be taking medical Spanish classes Mon-Fri as well as volunteering in a clinic in the Cusco area.  I absolutely can't wait to start this journey and I promise to keep everyone updated on my adventures as much as I can!

__________________________________

Lima Hotel

After being at airports from 7am to midnight, when I got to the hotel all I could think about was sleep!  But when I went down to the main lobby this morning to print my boarding pass, the woman working the desk asked if I would mind helping her daughter with her English homework since she has an exam tomorrow.  We had a lot of fun and a little difficulty converting her sentences from Spanish to English but we definitely both learned a lot and I really think she will do well on the test!  In exchange for my English lessons, they offered me a breakfast of eggs, coffee, juice and some bread which was amazing!  I´m getting picked up to be taken back to the airport to fly to Cusco in 20 min where I will finally be united with my host family and roommate Dalya!

I absolutely can´t wait to get to Cusco!!!

Read all of Nichole's blogs

Learn more about AmeriSpan SALUD Medical Spanish in Peru and many other countries abroad

Meet Dhara K., Fundraising participant getting ready to study SALUD Medical Spanish in Santo Domingo

What is your background?
I am 20 years old, a senior undergraduate student,  dual majoring in International Studies and Biology, pre-med at Virginia Commonwealth University.  I currently live in Virginia Beach.

Do you travel abroad often? 
I was born in India and came to America at the age of 7 months.  I’ve been back almost every summer during grade school to visit family, and I developed an interest in international healthcare since shadowing a pediatrician in Surat, a major industrial city in India.  After two service trips to El Progreso, Honduras last year, I caught the travel bug—and it just won’t let me go!  I’m looking forward to serving our Spanish-speaking Central and South American neighbors as a physician one day.

Have you studied abroad? 
On Semester at Sea in Fall 2010, I completed coursework on a ship, the MV Explorer, with fellow American and international students, while traveling through Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Which languages do you speak or have studied? 
I speak Gujarati, my native language of India, and have studied Spanish for nine years.

Tell us about one of your biggest challenges you’ve encountered abroad.
Reverse culture shock—coming back to the United States and perceiving your society, peers, and family differently from the way you viewed them before—is really difficult to face.  They may not understand where you’ve been, the experiences you’ve had, the people who have touched your life so profoundly.  But have faith that there are people who will understand, who will help you make a difference in the world.  It’s really hard to realize that I am only one person and I can’t help everyone or fix all of the inequalities of the world.  Some say that my efforts are just a “drop in the bucket,” but I believe that as a future physician and educator of fellow healthcare providers and students, I hope that I can make a broader impact on my fellow Americans by sharing my traveling stories, and bringing others on my journeys abroad.

Why did you choose an AmeriSpan program?
I found the SALUD medical Spanish programs online and they struck my interest as an opportunity that would fit with my interests, so I decided to apply.

How are you fundraising? 
I am getting my previous high school, my current university, and my Virginia Beach community involved in my fundraising campaign.  I am setting up presentations and writing letters to local businesses and professional organizations to request donations. 

Do you have any tips for other fundraisers? 
The sky’s the limit!! Just get creative and don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams are not possible!  Believe in yourself!

Do you have any tips or advice for others planning to studying abroad? 
No matter how much planning you do, you’re simply going to have to dive in, head first, and take the experience as it comes.  Remember to bring pictures of your friends and family, of important events—graduation, parties, etc.—from home so that the people you meet and the friends you make abroad can know your story as well.  Realize that you make just as big of an impact on them as they do on you.

Are there any fundraising activities that you want us to help promote? 
Not yet, but I will let you know!

See Dhara's Fundraising Story

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Fundraising Program or make a donation

Much like our College Study Abroad Affiliate Blogger arrangement, AmeriSpan will issue gigantic rebates to any Salud group participant willing to take on the responsibility of representing the group and corresponding with us through blogs and an evaluation.  Lead Students can receive up to $750 off their program costs plus $50 per group member!

Anyone who wishes to be a Lead Student must apply before or during program registration.

For details and a list of eligible locations, visit: Become a Lead Student

B

 One afternoon we got to have a meeting with a real shaman!  It turns out she also worked as a Registered Nurse and a massage therapist.  And there I was expecting this witch to come in with a cape or something.  But she was really sweet and gave us an explanation of the three types of work she does: the first one is reading of our cocoa leaves, the 2nd involves an egg, and the 3rd a guinea pig (cuy).

I'll explain the latter two because she actually performed the first one for all of us.  The egg and its yolk represent the soul and the body, and the shaman is able to tell how in synch these two parts of the human are from looking at their egg.  The egg is continually rolled over the person's body, starting with the head, touching the arms, then the stomach, and ending with the toes.  This allows the egg to absorb the person's energy which is interpreted when the egg is broken in a glass of water. 

The cuy also works in a similar matter.  A live cuy (has to be pure black) is passed over the person's body (though I'm not sure if there's contact), and is then killed and read.  The problems seen in the cuy are thought to be the same as problems the person is suffering, will suffer, or has suffered.  For example, if the cuy had an odd coloring around its kidney, it's a warning sign for the client. 

In the cocoa leaves, the first thing we had to do was choose our leaves in groups of three.  The leaves had to be whole and in tact, with no holes in them, and we placed them on a small mat until all the sides were fulfilled.  Then she gathered all the leaves, grabbed a handful, and asked us each for three questions.   It was like a genie in a lamp or something, but it was fun at the same time, and after we asked our question she would blow/bless the leaves in four directions (for the four winds).  Turns out that I went first, so I asked your generic questions like when will I marry….oh man, I don't need to explain that one.  The second question was where will I live and this was a bit more interesting.  She told me right off the bat that I was going to live "far" away from my hometown and that a lot of children would be involved in my life…so I would most likely be working with children.  (Both of these things have been slow on-going realizations for me).  My 3rd question was a bit more personal so I won't say it here, but she was pretty dead on right.  Freaky.  After this, the three of us girls went out for dinner and had a pretty lengthy discussion about this…and in the end we decided that this was like horoscopes, but all in all it was still pretty fun to ask and hear some answers.  I'm still a bit superstitious though, I love these type of things.

Click for more information on AmeriSpan's SALUD Program in Cusco, Peru

Click to see AmeriSpan's Spanish School in Cusco, Peru

Read all of Miko's blogs from Cusco, Peru

It’s been one week since I’ve arrived in Peru but I have honestly
done so much already….

The Sunday of my arrival, my family took me to the Plaza de Armas
(the heart of Cusco) where we saw a mini-festival, rather a competition,
between local schools.  It featured
different types of traditional Inca dancing and live music, filled with bright
colors and the twirling of skirts, and the yells of the boys.  Apparently every Sunday there is an organized
parade to accompany the raising of the Peru and Cusco flags, and these can
range from mini contests to celebrations of anniversaries of local
schools. 

Cusco has also worked out a great system to help tourists see the
city and its surroundings.  With the
purchase of a Cusco Tourist Ticket, access is given to 15 sites.  They include must-see places like Moray,
Saqsayhuaman, and Tip’n, which revolve strongly around the Inca culture.  What’s also great is that each tour will
often visit up to three places, so it’s easier to navigate around the city.  And all of the tour guides speak English, so
after an explanation in Spanish they’re happy to translate their whole speech
and answer more questions.  The ticket
is valid for ten days and costs $47 for adults but $25 for students (so bring
your student ID!) 

Since it was Peru’s Independence day this past
Wednesday (July 28^th celebrating 189 years) I have had Thursday and
Friday off, so this four day weekend has been dedicated to visiting as many
sites as possible.  They are all
breath-taking in their own way; I highly, highly recommend it! 

Click for more information on AmeriSpan's SALUD Program in Cusco, Peru

Click to see AmeriSpan's Spanish School in Cusco, Peru

Read all of Miko's blogs from Cusco, Peru

Do you need to learn Spanish or expand your Spanish language skills?

AmeriSpan Study Abroad has partnered once again with Bilingual America to offer a very special, high quality Spanish program for free to qualified participants. If you are in the medical, law enforcement, school teaching, social work or ministerial fields you can get Bilingual America's Basic to Expert Level Spanish Power course at no charge through The Claro Initiative. The Claro Initiative is a community service initiative to provide Spanish training to critical social service professionals at no charge. Spanish Power is considered the most comprehensive and results-driven Spanish training program in the country by many people and we encourage you to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. By the way, if you don't qualify but know someone who does, send them the link below so they can benefit.

Click or share this link to read more about this offer and request admittance to the free Spanish Power course here: https://bilingualamerica.infusionsoft.com/go/claro/immer$$ab/

What if you don't qualify?   
If you do not qualify for this special offer because you are not in one of the professional fields listed above, but are looking for a high-quality Spanish training program, we highly recommend you try this free trial package from the Claro Initiative through Bilingual America. A unique aspect of Bilingual America's programs is that they also make one-on-one tutoring available on an optional basis. They are a very respected, trusted institute that has been around since 1992. Other students recommended from AmeriSpan Study Abroad have been very happy with the results they have achieved with them. If you do not qualify for free courseware via The Claro Initiative you can get a really nice free trial package here.

Go to or share this link for a free trial package:  https://bilingualamerica.infusionsoft.com/go/SPGPS/immer$$ab/

Costa Rica has a highly organized Social Security system known
as the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). CCSS is one of the most
developed healthcare systems in Latin America. In fact, it could probably hold
its own against the systems in more developed countries. Established in 1943,
CCSS may be so advanced because Costa Rica does not have a military to fund and
so can devote money to more social projects.

The system offers guaranteed services to 90% of the population. Social Security
in Costa Rica covers the employed, whose employers and employees both pay into
it in the form of taxes. It also covers the unemployed and those in extreme
poverty through state subsidies and voluntary payments.  Costa Rican children receive free
vaccinations and the country has a very long life expectancy. The program also
ensures that proper sanitation and access to potable water is a priority.

Learn more about the different levels of the CCSS healthcare system through
AmeriSpan’s SALUD Medical Spanish program in Alajuela, Costa Rica. The program
incorporates Spanish classes, cultural activities, an overview of the
healthcare system and site visits to various clinics and hospitals. Students
even have the opportunity to add on a 5^th week and observe doctors
in a clinical setting!  Past participant
Kristen L. raves, “I chose this program because it seemed to offer a bit more
than other medical programs, and the fact that it offered medical Spanish. I
can’t decide whether the homestay or the last week working in the clinic was
better, both were beyond my expectations.”

More Info:

Medical Spanish in Costa Rica

All Salud Medical Spanish programs

Airfare to Costa Rica