Adventures in Peru

They’ve changed. Both Brooks School students who ventured to Peru this summer on Exchange returned to say that they’re just not the same — and they’re better for it.

Nayelie Bejar Buenrostro '28 and Hetherick Gonzalez Echavarria '28 flew to Lima in June for a month and a half of living in the capital and learning at the bilingual Colegio Trener school.

The adventure was part of Brooks’ global study abroad initiative, which sends about 12 students on month-long postings around the world while our campus community welcomes 12 exchange students from global partner schools in Gaborone, Botswana; Szeged, Hungary; Lima and Perth, Scotland.

“This experience truly opened my eyes to how each experience is unique, based on what country you live in and the culture you are surrounded by,” Bejar Buenrostro shared upon her return to America. “It has shifted how I see myself in the future and what I care about. I think it's safe to say that I have now become someone who loves to travel.”

Gonzalez Echavarria transformed, too, as he opened up to new friendships. “When I first embarked on this trip, my only thoughts were to try to stay in my own lane but the people there would always find something new for me to do,” he said.

As he made pals and explored, feasting on ceviche, arroz chaufa and lomo saltado, his Trener friends “taught me to not hide myself from others and enjoy every moment of life, even the uncomfortable ones,” he said. “This trip was not just fun. It was a meaningful learning experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Host families offer another level of deep dive into the local culture, often taking their Brooks guests on trips to festivals, landmarks such as Machu Picchu and cities including Cusco and Arequipa, while providing students the opportunity to immerse in another language.

Bejar Buenrostro relished in speaking Spanish. “Practicing speaking my native language with people my age was definitely one of the highlights from this trip,” she shared.

Explore more about Brooks’ Exchange study abroad program.