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PERU
INTERNSHIPS
INTERN ABROAD IN PERU
Once the cultural, spiritual, and economic center of the Inca Empire, Cusco, Peru is now one of the world’s most sought after travel destinations. With constant improvements to the Peruvian social, political, and economic sectors, Peru is rapidly becoming a leader amongst the developing countries of South America.
Whether your studies are focused on education, healthcare, business, human rights, hospitality, or special education, an international internship in Peru provides a unique opportunity and helps you stand-out as candidate to prospective employers. International interns in Peru, are transported into an amazing mix of history and culture–living and working among archaeological ruins, colonial architecture, and ancient civilizations, all while expanding your modern skill set, your professional network, and your global understanding.
The Maximo Nivel campus in Cusco, Peru is located right in the historical center, only 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas and right across the street from Q’oricancha—the ‘Temple of the Sun,’ the most sacred site in the Inca Empire. The institute is always teeming with international and local students enjoying the large common areas, WiFi, and on-site snack bar, which means lots of opportunities to practice your Spanish!
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Why I Maximo Nivel
I spent my summer not only being immersed in the Peruvian culture but finding myself. The people that I worked with were an incredible team of teachers who go above and beyond daily for every student. I had the pleasure of staying with an absolutely amazing family who took me in and cared for me. My summer in Peru was nothing other than life changing.
Internship Placements in Peru
The greatest center of ancient civilization and the growing tiger of modern Latin America.
DENTAL
DENTAL INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
From the Andes to the Amazon, the rich fabric of Peruvian society is a completely unique environment for an international internship! As a dental intern in Peru, you’ll be paired with a local professional to assist with consultations and treatment. You may also educate community members about dental hygiene. Internships take place in private dental clinics, government-run health centers, and NGOs.
International interns are paired with local professionals and paraprofessionals to assist with patient consultation and treatment. You may also prepare materials, sanitize instruments, and perform administrative tasks. You’ll gain professional experience in dentistry, leave with a better understanding of oral healthcare in a developing country, and you’ll also strengthen your medical Spanish terminology. Become a more global professional!
Intermediate Spanish is required for dental internship placements. If your Spanish proficiency is not at this level, Maximo Nivel offers online Spanish classes and in-person Spanish Immersion programs to help build your language skills.
EDUCATION
EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
Peru has made significant improvements to its education system since the 1990s. In recent decades, spending on education has quadrupled and government reforms have extended free education to all students between the ages of 5 and 16. Today, Peru’s adult literacy rate is 90%, compared to just 40% in 1940. However, Peru’s education system still struggles as the country works to advance its educational services to the most rural, hard-to-reach areas of the country. This means that a thriving, private education sector has developed to fill the public shortfall and it is an important component in the education of Peru’s people.
International interns are placed in private bilingual schools, many of which follow the International Baccalaureate (“IB”) curriculum. The classes you assist are taught in English and you directly report to a designated faculty member at your school placements. Interns actively apply their studies to assist students and teachers alike, as you develop the skills necessary to effectively advance student progress. Your internship provides practical training in teacher presentation, creative lesson planning, and classroom management.
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
Peru is one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world! The country works hard to preserve its cultural heritage and natural resources, and the Peruvian government continues to make strides in advancing their infrastructure and sustainability. From Machu Picchu to the Andean mountains; from the Amazon rainforest to the rainbow ridges of Vinicunca, Cusco, Peru never ceases to amaze! The world heritage city is home to Inca and Spanish architecture, as well as a modern, exciting nightlife.
Peru’s travel and tourism industry accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP and it is expected to grow faster than any other Latin American country, making it a huge, global destination and right where you want to be!
International internship placements are in boutique hotels, travelers’ hostels, tour agencies, and restaurants, and provide you with interactive professional experience to advance your career. You help to develop small hospitality and tourism companies through client outreach, marketing, social media, public relations, sales, and guest services. Your hospitality internship in Peru provides you the opportunity to apply your education and knowledge to a top global destination in the travel industry!
HUMAN RIGHTS
HUMAN RIGHT INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
Human rights are an integral part of the social and political development of Peru. The country faces many challenges such as violence and discrimination against women, children, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and indigenous people. The use of child labor is a particularly common problem in informal sectors. And the country’s rural populations also have unequal access to education and healthcare. Peru’s government is improving their process of investigating and prosecuting human rights violators, however widespread corruption, lack of law enforcement, and cultural obstacles often hinder steps to protect human rights.
Human rights interns work to advocate for populations whose voices go unheard. Based on your interests, you are placed with community organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. You gain experience working with community outreach, education, research, and fund-raising for human rights issues that you are passionate about. Your international internship directly impacts local communities, where you can learn about the real people of Peru and help to align the stepping stones for a better tomorrow.
MEDICAL
MEDICAL INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
Peru’s healthcare system is divided into several sectors including a large public sector, small public programs, NGOs, and private hospitals and clinics. Peru’s healthcare system is very unique. For example, it’s common for indigenous people to visit a Shaman if they are sick; tropical diseases and ailments found only in places like the Amazon jungle are common; and medical training is often not up to par with global standards. Though Peru has made strides to provide a strong nationalized healthcare system for its citizens, common complaints include unequal access, delays in service, and quality of care.
Your medical internship program gives you the opportunity to use your experience and knowledge to help provide health services in a large developing country. In Peru, you learn not to depend on technology or familiar resources to serve patients. Instead, you learn to provide great patient-care with very limited resources.
Medical internship placements are in assisted-living facilities and small local clinics. You work directly with the nursing and medical teams one-on-one. Activities vary based on the needs of the medical facility, and depending on your professional experience and medical credentials, you may be involved in direct patient care or shadowing a professional staff member.
MICRO-BUSINESS
MICRO-BUSINESS INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
Take your business experience abroad to one of the fastest growing economies in South America–the beautiful country of Peru! Studies from the Peruvian Economic Institute show Peru’s GDP growth has outpaced even China’s at various times over the last decade. More specifically, the city of Cusco has experienced exceptional growth due mostly to the service industry, tourism, and construction. With great economic success comes the challenge of sustainability. Cusco, however, as the gateway to the sanctuary city of Machu Picchu, and the travel hub for both foreign and domestic visitors, buzzes with endless business opportunities.
Micro-business internships get you involved with local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you are interested in for-profit or nonprofit work, there is definitely an opportunity in Cusco, Peru, and there is always a demand for international interns.
As a micro-business intern, your responsibilities include daily operations, client service, sales, administration, marketing, public relations, accounting, and distribution. Gain exposure to business practices in the developing world, build professional experience in your area of interest, and advance your marketability by building the confidence and skills to conduct business internationally with a Spanish speakers.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPECIAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS IN PERU
Peru’s general education system has undergone many improvements over the last 20 years. However, the demand for proper resources and training to support students with special needs is still very high. Designated schools have been constructed to support students with disabilities–80% are provided by the public education system, while 20% are run by NGOs or private schools. Still, the average student-teacher ratio in special education classes is 15:1 or even higher! This means, students with disabilities are often overlooked and misplaced in classrooms with regular learners, which causes learners to feel discouraged—they fall behind and end up dropping out.
Special education internships in Cusco, Peru allow you to utilize your educational training in a true special needs environment. You provide hands-on assistance to special education teachers by conducting lessons, developing classroom management strategies, and improving individual student attention. You receive ongoing support and constructive feedback from a designated staff member to help you blossom in the field of special education.
VETERINARY SCIENCE
INTERNSHIPS
Peru only recently approved an Animal Protection and Welfare Act in November 2015. Although classifying animals as sentient beings and taking legal action against those found guilty of animal cruelty is a move in the right direction, Peru still has a long way to go to guarantee the welfare and rights of domestic animals and wildlife, and specifically to manage the country’s stray and abandoned animal population.
With very low financial resources and understaffed clinics most animals go without proper care. Enrolling in a veterinary internship will gives you hands-on experience and the opportunity to contribute to a local community. As an international intern, you look after stray animals, assist with rehabilitation, and work alongside a veterinarian while getting in-depth insight and training on veterinary medicine.
CUSTOMIZED INTERNSHIPS
As Maximo Nivel is a locally-based organization in Peru, we have built strong relationships with many local partner organizations. These community connections mean we can help you explore your specific internship goals and interests in a very personalized way, and we pride ourselves in offering quality, custom placements in most fields of study.
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