These three months in Cusco, Peru – studying Spanish and volunteering -- promise to be an especially valuable experience abroad. This is a great opportunity to learn Spanish and then to apply it while volunteering at one of the institutes supported by ACUPARI. 

During your first 4 weeks you will be immersed into the Spanish language in a standard 20-hour mini-group class with no more than 5 other students at a similar level of Spanish as you.  You will be speaking Spanish from the start while also developing listening, reading, and writing skills that will be important to your day to day communication.

During your Spanish study and your volunteering, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a Tandem® conversation program giving you the opportunity to practice Spanish with a Peruvian partner while helping them to practice your native language.  The languages are practiced separately. When you speak Spanish your Peruvian tandem partner helps you, when you speak your native language you help your tandem, not in a classroom but on-the-go in Cusco.  Best yet, it’s FREE!

During your 8 weeks of volunteering you will be making a valuable contribution to the Cusco community and a difference in the lives of many individuals.  You will have the unique opportunity to live and work with native people while receiving the gift of ever lasting memories and a profound insight into the social and cultural realities of Cusco and Peru.

During your 12 weeks, your accommodations will be taken care of.  You will be placed with a local family who will become your family while here in Cusco.   You will be provided with a comfortable place to stay, delicious food and the opportunity to converse and be immersed into the Spanish language and the Peruvian culture from the start. Students can select their personal preferences such as food, pets, children, and allergies right at the ACUPARI registration page.

There are a variety of institutions including a children’s clinic, several orphanages, and a kindergarten in which you can participate.  For information on our participating institutions and qualifications, please see our institutions page.  Please note that the 3 month intensive only includes the institutions in the city of Cusco.