Bolivia: Multiculturalism, Globalization, and Social Change

Homestays

Cochabamba
Students live for six weeks with a host family in Cochabamba in either an urban or suburban neighborhood. While homestay families are mostly middle class, they are very diverse in terms of occupation, family size, region of origin in Bolivia, and location in the city.

The homestay allows students to become more deeply immersed in Bolivian culture and daily life and is an excellent opportunity to improve Spanish language skills. Host families can be extraordinary sources of information and a place to discuss and explore the ideas, concepts, and facts encountered in class and throughout the city.

looking out at Lake Titicaca after being wrapped in flowers from the welcome ceremony from our rural homestay community of Tocoli

Rural homestay
Students spend five days sharing daily life with a rural farming family. The homestay takes place either with Aymara families on the shores of Lake Titicaca or with Quechua families in the Cochabamba valley.

During the rural stay, students share their host family's daily activities. If they are planting or harvesting, the students partner with their hosts to lend a hand. If there are sheep to tend, students typically help.

With the families on Lake Titicaca, students also share in a community meal called an apthapi, join in collective community work called ayni, and participate in an Andean ritual led by an Aymara spiritual leader.

Other accommodations during the program include hostels, private homes, or small hotels.

Credits: 16

Duration: 15 weeks

Program Base: Bolivia, Cochabamba

Language Study: Aymara, Quechua, Spanish

Prerequisites: 3 semesters Spanish Read more...