WHY THIS PROGRAM?
CUSCO WOW FACTORS
• Machu Picchu: Take a trip to the legendary location
• Internship Opportunities: Excel in Spanish
• Volunteer Opportunities: Give back
THE ATHENA TOUCH
What makes this Athena?
• Staff makes you part of the 'family'
• Quality education with small teacher-to-student ratio
• Low cost gives great value
ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS @ ACADEMIA
WHY WE PARTNER WITH ACADEMIA LATINOAMERICANA de ESPANOL
The Academia is a top-quality, private, non-profit institution recognized by the Ecuadorian government. The school’s founder and staff share the same vision as Athena that personalizing study abroad is the key to the best outcomes and experiences.
HISTORY:
Founded in 1989, the school is one of the language school pioneers in South America.
EXPERIENCE:
Our school occupies a beautiful and historical colonial home from 19th century on one of the many small plazas, right behind one of the most important sites from pre-Colombian Cusco, the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun).
The school is about four blocks from the main square, the Plaza de Armas, the central meeting area of Cusco (a great place to people watch!). The convenient location is near many restaurants, cafes, cathedrals and museums.
The building itself houses two full floors with about 17 classrooms and an indoor patio.
COURSES
Courses have the following % breakdown:
| COURSES | General % Offered |
|---|---|
HUMANITIES | 80% |
SOCIAL SCIENCES | 20% |
PATTY & SANDRA DEL CORRAL
On-Site Advisors
Patty and Sandra are sisters and have been servicing students since 1989. They both studied in the U.S. and are aware of the specific needs that study abroad students have. Patty is a collaborative, motivational and inspirational leader; she instills confidence in others. Sandra is a consensus builder, and acts with integrity and fairness when dealing with students.
INTERNSHIPS
Many internship opportunities are available, including in Social Work, Tourism, Business, Education and more (Spanish language level requirements vary).
STUDENT LIFE
FIELD TRIPS & EXCURSIONS
We’re going to elevate your time in the clouds of Cusco! Athena includes a field trip/ excursion pack into your program package, in addition to the many optional evening and weekend activities that are offered to enhance your study abroad experience. These may include:
• Machu Picchu
• Day trip to Sacred Valley
• City Walking Tour
• Visit to Incan ruins of Saqsayhuaman, Qenko and Tambomachay
HOUSING
Housing is conveniently located, and in close proximity to the school and the city center, within a short walk or bus ride.
HOUSING OPTIONS:
You’ll have the option to choose a) Homestay; or b) Residence Halls
• In the homestay, you’ll stay with a host family and receive two daily meals.
• In the residence hall, you will stay in double-occupancy rooms.
FAQS
Can I stay with a local family?
Yes! In fact, students who are looking to acquire the Spanish language, or improve their current skills, are strongly encouraged to do a homestay.
Can I request to room with my friend?
Yes! You can certainly request who you would like to have as your roommate. This is done after you are accepted into the program; you will note this in your housing request forms.
Do you provide flights?
We have partnered with STA Travel, an incredible student-focused travel agency. The good people there will be able to help all Athena students arrange flights overseas.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Here’s a great opportunity to share some love in the world. If you’re staying for more than 4 weeks, you are encouraged to volunteer. Options include orphanages, animal shelters, schools and more.
The people I met at my school were great people & also from different countries around the world. I was able to not only learn about the culture in Peru, but other cultures as well.
CAITLIN GEORGE
Columbia College Chicago
THE CITY
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
What’s Cusco Like?
It’s like a city in the clouds. Quite literally. Cusco sits perched amidst the clouds and the lush Andean greenery 11,000 feet above sea level. According to legend, a mythical monarch founded the city of Cusco at the beginning of the 13th century BC. Under Inca rule, the empire grew and developed. You will recognize that today the city is surrounded by the wealth of its Incan history, while offering the comforts of a modern and internationally known town. Cusco’s people are welcoming and proud of their rich culture. This truly is an exciting place to live, enjoy, and learn Spanish.
CITY PERKS: Peru is a very warm culture, and Cusco embodies this … City is just a short jaunt from the incredible landmark Machu Picchu.
WEATHER
- OVERALL WEATHER: Sitting at an elevation of 11,000 feet up in the Andes Mountains, Cusco maintains a consistently cool temperature year-round. The days are sunny, but cool, and the nights are cool as well.
- DECEMBER WARMTH: The warmest month is December, with an average temperature range of 43-69 °F. All months are fairly similar, with the highs and lows of each month being only a little different from each other.
- A LITTLE CHILLY: The coldest month is July, with an average temperature range of 32-66 °F. As is with the warmest month, there isn’t a major difference between the coldest month either.
MAP
MORE INFO
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