Help me get to Bolivia!

Sam Lee Start Date: Nov 14, 2016 - End Date: Feb 20, 2017
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • La Paz, La Paz Department, Bolivia
  • Copacabana, Puno, Bolivia
  • Tiwanaku, La Paz Department, Bolivia

My Travel Story

by: Sam Lee Start Date: Nov 14, 2016 - End Date: Feb 20, 2017
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
Hi everyone! I am a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte studying International Studies, Spanish, and Anthropology. My university is offering a class called "Bolivia: Past and Present" for the spring semester. (You can read more of the official stuff about the class here.) The class focuses particularly on the relationships between the indigenous people of Bolivia-- who make up at least 60% of the population. They are Aymara and Quechua, descendents of the Incans, as well as Guarani and Moxos, among others. Bolivia has an unique situation in that sense, as oftentimes in the past the Europeans in South America took over and in some cases nearly wiped out the indigeneous people. Although there is a history of great conflict, there is also great cultural diversity in Bolivia due to the coexistence and mixing of these cultures. This class would give me the opportunity to study these relationships in an intimiate setting. After several meetings leading up to the trip, the class cluminates in a 10-day spring break trip where we will visit various places of significance to the country including Copacabana and Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca (pictured above), the Tiwanacu ruins (pictured above), a Yumani village and many more, as well as spend a few days exploring the capital city of La Paz (pictured above).

After reading about the experiences that the class offers, I knew immediately that I wanted to go-- not only does it touch my love of languages and allow me to begin to understand a complex cultural relationship in a region I am very interested in, but this class and trip are a unique opportunity to travel to South America under the guidance of a Bolivian professor after spending the semester preparing and understanding what I will see. Travel to this area of the world, in addition to the costs associated with the class, however, are expensive, and so this is not an opportunity I will be able to take without help. I am reaching out to my friends, family, and anyone else able to help out. Any donation will help! Thank you.
  • La Paz, La Paz Department, Bolivia
  • Copacabana, Puno, Bolivia
  • Tiwanaku, La Paz Department, Bolivia