The following post was written as a part of our Explorica Student Ambassador program. Our student ambassadors documented and shared their Explorica travel experiences and had the chance to reflect on their journeys after they returned. To see more of their time abroad, visit the #ExploricaStudentAmbassador hashtag on Instagram.
Before this trip, I had only ever traveled with my family. My friend told me she was going to Peru with our school, and that I should consider going too. I didn’t know what to expect from going on a trip with teachers and other students from my school. I was hesitant as many of the other students were taking Spanish as their language class, and as a French student, I worried I wouldn’t understand the locals and would miss out on parts of the trip. My teacher assured me she had had other students go on trips not knowing a single word of the native language spoken there, and those students still had an incredible time.
Before the trip my friends taught me some simple Spanish phrases I could use. Once we were in Peru our tour director, Maggie, the teachers, and all the students who had been taking Spanish constantly corrected my poor Spanish pronunciation. But they couldn’t stop me from trying to use the few Spanish phrases I knew whenever possible. Everyone got a good laugh whenever I would respond to Spanish I didn’t understand with “sí” and “muy bueno”. However, not knowing much Spanish did not take away from any part of the trip at all. My friends would help me at the market by translating for me and quickly teaching me the words and phrases I needed to respond.
When thinking back on the trip, there was no one moment that stood out from the rest. Each day was different but filled with exciting new experiences and chances to make memories. During our trips to different landmarks, Maggie would explain the history and the culture of each place and always had the answers to any questions we asked her. Viewing these places meant so much more to me when I fully understood the history and stories behind them.
I was so excited about trying as much Peruvian food possible, and when Maggie told us we could order alpaca stew for dinner or that we were going to have the chance to eat guinea pig I was so excited! I even managed to convince some other people to try it too by telling them this might be the only chance in their lives they can do this. Although they were skeptical they would take a little nibble of the food then always end up going in for another bite because they liked it so much.
Our tours and visits to these places were incredible, but my favorite part of the trip were all the little moments in between. These moments were when we were driving from one place to another on the bus, waiting in the airport, and even just sitting at a restaurant waiting for food to be served. In these moments we really got to know all the different people who were on the trip; people I didn’t know at all before the trip. We would laugh about the funny moments from the day, or people would explain how the person in their hotel room with them would talk in their sleep. Out of all these moments, any time we were all on the bus was so much fun. One of the girls on the trip brought a little speaker so we would play music and all sing along (even though none of us could sing). By the end of the trip everyone knew the words to the songs we played constantly on the bus. It’s nice now because when I hear certain songs I think back to all the amazing things I got to experience in Peru.
I am so happy I went on this trip! I learned so much about Peru’s history and their different cultures while having the time of my life. I made so many amazing memories with friends I had before the trip and friends I made while I was there. I am very lucky and thankful to have been able to go.