Internship in Peru: Andrean Action Research for Social Change

The Center for Social Well Being celebrates 14 years offering our program in interdisciplinary qualitative field methods, as well as Spanish and Quechua language classes, with a continued internship option in the Peruvian Andes. This year we offer our June Solstice seminar, a 3 week training program after which students may work and/or pursue their own research objectives in health, education, agriculture, social development, with municipal institutes and civic organizations, depending on acquired skills, demonstrated abilities and interests. Length of the post-training internship is adapted to students’ needs with respect to academic and professional requirements (usually extends from 2 to 10 months). The intensive field methods and language component is equivalent to 1 semester of university study; we provide participants with a qualitative letter of evaluation and grade.  Upon successful completion of the seminar students may formally affiliate with the Center for Social Being as researchers and outreach workers.

The combined undergraduate and graduate seminar is held at the center's rural base, an adobe lodge on an ecological ranch in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range of the Callejón de Huaylas, 7 hours northeast of Lima. Coursework provides in-depth orientation to theory and practice in field investigation that emphasizes methods in Participatory Action Research and Andean Ethnography centered on themes of Climate Change with respect to Ecology, Health, Education, Social Justice, Agrobiodiversity, Community Organization and related topics. Students have the opportunity to actively engage in ongoing projects and programs with Quechua communities to develop effective interactive field abilities and required language skills for placement in appropriate contexts to provide community support and research. In addition, the training seminar provides excursions to museums, archaeological sites, glacial lakes and hotsprings; optional recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and trekking. The training program tuition fee is $4000 US dollars that includes all in-country travel, food and accommodations at the rural center, and course materials. The program is under the direction of Applied Medical Anthropologist, Patricia J. Hammer, Ph.D., and Flor de María Barreto Tosi, Ecologist and Field Coordinator.

Program dates: June Solstice Seminar  June 7^th through 27^th 2015

Please contact us for other potential program dates for 2015.

For an application: phammer@wayna.rcp.net.pe

For further program information: www.socialwellbeing.org