Peru
Notice:
Peru summer study abroad program has been postponed from Summer 2025 to Summer 2026. Information for the Summer 2026 program will be posted soon. Below is the info from Summer 2025 for reference.
Join us as we study environmental science using the beautiful and diverse natural and cultural landscape of Peru as our textbook! Peru's natural resources have long been the foundation of its economy, with biologically diverse forests, vast mineral deposits, fertile agricultural lands, and abundant marine life. We will investigate how ancient and contemporary Peruvians interact with these resources, while simultaneously considering our own experience in California and how both locations are intertwined with global processes and global issues.
We begin our exploration in Lima, Peru’s urban center. Next, we explore Peru’s three distinct geographic regions: the lush tropical Amazon Basin, the rugged Andes mountain range, and the arid coastal desert. During the last segment of the trip we will settle into life in a small coastal fishing town, where we will work side by side with community members on ongoing projects related to reforestation, water treatment, and/or renewable energy.
Community participants are welcome to attend the 2026 Peru Summer Program. Spots are limited and available
on a first-come, first-served basis. You are not required to take any course.
For community participants, a $500 contribution to the San Mateo County Community
College District’s study abroad scholarship fund will be added to the program fee.
This is the same practice as other Community Travel Programs offered by SMCCCD Study Abroad. You may pay it separately at the SMCCCD Foundation webpage after you apply for the program and before April 10, 2026 (the final program payment deadline). * Information about how to make the $500 donation
will be sent to you via email after you are officially accepted by the program.
Peru 2026 Program Dates
Arrive: July 14, 2026
Depart: July 28, 2026
Program Provider: Maximo Nivel
Apply by: April 2026
Attend an info session to learn more about the Peru study abroad program or how to apply for scholarships to pay for study abroad.
Info Session RecordingCan't make the info session or have more questions? Peru program faculty leader Susan Mahoney is offering office hours on Friday from 3pm-4pm.
Attend Office HoursENVS 115 - Environmental Science | 3.0 Units
Prerequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area B1, B2
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area B1, B2), UC (IGETC Area 5A, 5B)
Non-student community members and students who have already taken ENVS 115 are both welcome to join this adventure. Contact us for information on community travel and/or independent study credit opportunities.
This course begins as a hybrid course during summer session.
Program Fee (TBD))
- $ per student – Based on a minimum of 10-14 participants
- $ per student – Based on a minimum of 15-19 participants
- $ per student – Based on a minimum of 20-24 participants
*International airfare not included. - Option group flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Lima (LIM) : $TBD
Payment Schedule
|
TBD, 2026 (deadline to apply) |
$TBD |
On or before ____ upon submitting the application |
|
TBD, 2026 |
50% of the total remaining program |
Second payment deadline |
|
TBD, 2026 |
Full payment due |
Final payment deadline |
Program Fee Includes
- TBD
Refund and Withdrawal Policy
TBD
At the time of application to the program, students must satisfy the following program eligibility requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Complete an interview with the Professor of the course
Community Participants
Community participants are welcome to attend the summer Program. Spots are limited
and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are not required to take any
course.
A $500 contribution to the San Mateo County Community College District’s study abroad
scholarship fund is required for the community participants. This is the same practice
as other Community Travel Programs offered by SMCCCD Study Abroad. You may pay it separately at the SMCCCD Foundation webpage after you apply for the program.
* Information about how to make the $500 donation will be sent to you via email after
you are officially accepted by the program.
About the Program Provider:
TBA
More Information or Questions?
Diego Zevallos | Program Chaperone
EOPS Retention Specialist | Cañada College
Email: zevallosd@smccd.edu
Phone: (650) 381-2254
Professor Susan Mahoney
Email: mahoneys@smccd.edu
Kelly Li
Program Services Coordinator|SMCCCD Study Abroad
Email: studyabroad@smccd.edu
Phone: (650) 738-7098
Meet Professor Susan Mahoney
Professor Mahoney has taught Earth and Environmental Science courses at the community college level for over 25 years. Originally from Minnesota, Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Macalester College and a Master’s degree in Hydrogeology from UC Davis. She has completed certificate courses in community college teaching and online teaching, as well as numerous hands-on courses in various renewable energy technologies. Professionally and personally, Susan is interested in pretty near anything related to water and/or energy. In her free time, Susan enjoys spending time outside with her family, ideally hiking, camping, rock-climbing, biking, gardening, reading, and (especially) traveling!
Meet Staff Chaperone Diego Zevallos
Born in Peru, Diego Zevallos pursued an educational path that combined his interests in education and rural-urban development. He studied at Cañada College and later graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Rhetoric and a minor in Global Poverty Alleviation. Currently, Diego serves as a Retention Specialist for the EOPS program at Cañada College. He is passionate about mentoring first-generation college students and is excited to empower his students to embark on a study-abroad program.
At UC Berkeley, Diego had the opportunity to study abroad, which sparked his passion for sustainable development. This experience broadened his perspective and motivated him to contribute to a more equitable and environmentally conscious world. While studying abroad, Diego connected with EcoSwell, a sustainable development NGO in Peru, where he has been actively involved for the past three years as an intern, volunteer, and ambassador. Through his work with EcoSwell, Diego has contributed to initiatives promoting sustainable development, environmental conservation, and community empowerment.