SOCIAL-CULTURAL HISTORY AND HEALTH IN PERU

Application Coming Soon (will be available from the Global Education Office)

Explore social-cultural histories, health disparities, community health mitigation efforts in the Andean and neighboring Amazon region of Peru with Duke in Perú! This 6-week, 2.0 credit program in Peru includes two signature courses that contextualize health in the indigenous communities, as well as a twice-a-week non-credit Quechua course. Duke in Peru students will partner with Universidad Cayetano Heredia, Universidad Ciéntifica del Sur, and Vidawasi, to examine various initiatives to address health disparities and intercultural approaches in Peru.
 

PROGRAM FAST FACTS

Location: Lima, Cusco, Urubamba, and Pilcopata, Peru

Term: Summer II 

Dates: Summer 2025 Dates TBD 

Application Deadline: February 1st (Rolling Admissions) 

Academic Themes: Quechua, Global Health, Community Health, Interculturality, Rights, and Linguistic Rights

Credit Type: Duke Credit 

Eligibility: Students must have succesfully completed Spanish 204 (interview required); successful completion of a 300-level Spanish course is preferred. 

Duke Affiliation: Co-Sponsored by Duke’s Department of Romance Studies & the Duke Global Health Institute 

Housing Type: Residence Halls & Hotels 

Independent Travel Time During Program: Not permitted.

 

ACADEMICS

Students will be enrolled in the 2 program signature courses, as well as a twice weekly, non-credit Quechua course. Courses meet from 9-11:30, Monday – Thursday, with an experiential component that includes shadowing at Vidawasi  and other sites in Cusco and Lima from 1-5 p.m. Excursions will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Community health and intercultural awareness: health initiatives in the Andes  
Salud comunitaria y conciencia intercultural: iniciativas de salud en los Andes
Course Approvals TBD – 1.0 credit 

This course delves in the complex relationship between community health and intercultural awareness. It explores how socio-historical practices and interaction with the land not only influence understandings of health, well-being and illness but also profoundly influence health care access, delivery and outcomes within indigenous communities in Cuzco. Students will gain specific knowledge related to these communities and their health practices and outcomes. Students will also develop an understanding of the relevance of developing Community health and intercultural awareness: health initiatives in the Andes. 

Intercultural engagement, language and health practices  
Participación intercultural, lenguaje y prácticas de salud 
Course Approvals TBD – 1.0 credit 

This course is designed to interrogate the intersectionality of community and public health practices, interculturality, and language(s) within the socio-cultural context of the Andes in Cusco. Participants will connect theoretical foundations with practical engagement in the communities of focus. Students will explore in depth the complex interdependence between cultural dynamics, linguistic heterogeneity, and the various public health challenges prevalent in the Andean region of Peru. Students will use analytical tools to comprehend, critically evaluate, and contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the relationship between culture, linguistic diversity, well-being practices and the health landscape in the Andean context. 

ACTIVITIES

Past program excursions and activities have included: 

  • Lima Plaza Mayor  
  • Cusco City 
  • Valle Sagrado

HOUSING

Students will be housed in double rooms within residence halls or hotels. 

DATES

Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted. 

Summer 2025 Dates TBD