Nutrition & Natural Medicine in Peru

I have never been to South America before but knew I wanted to stay for a solid period of time to understand the culture. I am a doctoral student wanting to augment my learning with experiences from other cultures regarding holistic health and indigenous medicine. This program provided me with all I was hoping: a well put together program that consisted of day long learning sessions for the first two weeks, then immersion into an internship tailored to me. Accommodations were amazing, I always felt safe and I was able to plan trips through the program director on the weekends. This program is well worth doing!

Upon my arrival to Peru to study nutrition & natural medicine in a summer abroad program, I was already expecting a life changing experience. From Cusco, to Macchu picchu, to urubamba; the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Aside from the beautiful mountainous scenery, ancient history, teachers, guides, and the amazing women I get to participate in this program with, I was deeply touched by the hard working people, innocent children, and abundant packs of stray animals that reside in this village. The simplicity they live by is truly remarkable and serves as a reminder to appreciate even the littlest things we have that make our lives so much more convenient. Although they lack most of the things we couldn’t go a day without, they are so rich in their culture and tradition, and community. Being able to learn the history, and share their culture has been such a priceless experience. I would do this program again and again. The teachers, hosts, guides, and classes were all amazing. I’ve learned to make so many healthy things and eat for health. I’ve learned so many natural remedies, and have continued my holistic journey outside of this experience in my everyday life in the US. Thank you linguistic horizons I hope I have the opportunity to save up and experience another trip of a lifetime like this one was to me!! I am truly blessed and spiritually fulfilled. I left a piece of me in Peru and brought a better, new improved, open minded version of myself back home.

This program has benefitted my outlook on medicine, nutrition, travel, and my environment in too many ways to count. I came to Peru with little knowledge of nutrition and herbalism, and absolutely no ability to speak Spanish. However, I was immediately welcomed and given the resources to take Spanish classes. I felt encouraged to fully immerse myself in the experience, and through many workshops by people who worked with many types of indigenous medicine, herbalism, and nutrition every day, I learned so much about myself, the earth, and a more wholesome and caring culture in addition to the subjects the workshops were officially about. I learned a great deal of Spanish in a short amount of time, leaving with a determination to continue studying the language, apply what I had learned, and live in a more wholesome and open way connected to my surroundings and community. I cannot thank Nichole enough for the careful planning and love that she clearly put into the program and for the warm and open way she welcomed me and the rest of the members of the program. I made connections that truly changed me and met people I will never forget. This is a beautiful, immersive way to learn and to experience Peru, and I would recommend the program to anyone with even the slightest interest in Peru, nutrition, alternative medicines, or the environment.