Peru

By Derreatha Juarez

Upper-level Spanish students embark on a breathtaking and unforgettable cultural excursion.

Under the direction of Professora Mary Perez-Korinko (Professora PK), Chair of the World Languages and Culture Department, for the past two years Chaminade students have enjoyed the opportunity of traveling abroad to enhance their experience with their language classes.

photo by: Jater Webb '20

Professora, a staunch proponent of studying language in a shared environment with native speakers, has been instrumental in organizing the recent cultural excursions. In the spring of 2018, she and the Vice-Principal, Mrs. Lisa Magorien, inaugurated the travel program by chaperoning 22 students on an unforgettable trip to China. The five students on the trip who studied Chinese were able to converse and use their language skills with the Chinese natives, and all of the students were, according to Professora, “excited to learn in a completely new world while broadening their cultural horizons.” The highlight of the China trip was their visit to a Chinese middle school where Chaminade students constructed kites with the children, stayed in the dorms with them and created a collaborative news show. “We were completely embraced and incorporated into the activities of the school,” PK remarks, which heightened the experience for Chaminade students.

Photo by: Jater Webb '20

Photo by: Jater Webb '20

The sacredness of the space was moving especially when juxtaposed with the mix of ancient and contemporary cultures.

In the spirit of continuing global learning, this past spring of 2019, Professora PK, Mrs. Magorien, and Spanish instructor, Mr. Alex McKay, escorted 21 Chaminade students on a ten-day, breathtaking visit to Peru. From eating alpaca and guinea pig to using their Spanish while bargaining with street vendors, students were immersed in the Peruvian culture. Each of the adults in attendance reflected that the two visits to Machu Picchu were the most memorable of the trip. McKay notes that “to be walking on one of the Seven Wonders of the World is such a unique experience,” and PK adds that the “sacredness of the space was moving especially when juxtaposed with the mix of ancient and contemporary cultures – from traditional dress to cell phone use.”

Learning from the pioneer ventures established by the World Languages Department, during next Easter Break, the Latin Program is planning a trip to Italy, and next summer, the Spanish and French Programs are investigating journeys to Spain and France. The Department hopes to establish a culture in which groups of students travel at least once annually to a new country. Both PK and McKay reflect that the Marianist charism to “Educate for Adaptation and Change” especially the sub-point surrounding being open to “global context through enculturation” is closely aligned with the cultural and immersion global trips offered by the Department. Mrs. Magorien summarizes the focus on developing globally-oriented students at Chaminade when she expresses that “our kids need real-world experience”, and all of the chaperones advocate for more than a textbook, video, or website encounter with other countries for Chaminade students to explore rich traditions outside of their own lives.

Photo by: Jater Webb '20