In the heart of the Amazon, dense green foliage blankets the horizon as far as the eye can see. For millennia, its rich natural resources have supported human communities and an incredible diversity of wildlife species found nowhere else on the planet. This great and complex rainforest is also one of the world’s most impactful ecosystems – Amazonian watersheds account for 20% of the world’s fresh river water.
Study Abroad in Peru
Have you ever wanted to live in the Amazon rainforest, take a riverboat expedition to survey rare wildlife like pink dolphins, or visit the Andean highlands and the ancient city of Cusco?
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or looking for your first trip to another country, studying abroad is an important component of your college career. Living abroad gives you the opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures, gaining important global perspectives, discovering new things about yourself, and building lifelong friendships.
Our program in Peru takes place in the rich ecosystems of the Amazon, with excursions to the highlands of the Andes, visits with Indigenous communities, and meetings with diverse agricultural organizations. Courses and fieldwork focus on key environmental issues faced here such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental ethics and justice, and sustainable livelihoods. The forests of the Peruvian Amazon are increasingly under threat from climate change, rapid development, and extractive activities like logging and mining. From the terra firme and flooded forests of the lowlands to the glacial lakes and tropical montane forests of the Andes, Peru’s landscapes need comprehensive and inclusive strategies for conservation. Our research here provides important insights into the fate of the Amazon and all the life that depends on it.
