Peru Indigenous Peoples and Globalization Program

Hola a todos! My name is Ojani Walthrust and I am a rising senior majoring in International Affairs at The George Washington University. This semester has been tough for me in and out of the classroom. In school, I took five courses and was the Executive Vice President of the Student Association. I was also chosen to be a Charles B. Rangel SEP Scholar. Outside the classroom, I interned at the State Department in the Office of English Language Programs. To add on to this difficulty, my brother passed away mid-semester due to gun violence. However, I was able to keep pushing and make Dean's List for the first time after these adversaries. 

In the Fall, I have the opportunity to study abroad in Cusco, Peru (August 26 - December 8) through the School of International Training. Although I have cousins from Panama, I have never been to Central or South America. This opportunity would allow me to go there and learn to enhance my studies.

The program is called "Peru: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization". Some goals of the program are to:

1. Analyze the political, social, economic and cultural impacts of globalization on the indigenous population there.

2. Advance Spanish and Quechua speaking skills.

3. Learn field research methods and ethic in preparation for an Independent Study Project that is guided by a local advisor. Specifically, I want to learn more about the social impacts of colorism within the Afro-Peruvian community.

Unfortunately, there is a $6,785 tier fee attached to the program costs of 19,629 (tuition and room and board) equating to $26,414. Although financial aid, my Presidential Scholarship, and outside scholarships can cover the majority of this, I will still need assistance with the $6,785 tier fee and estimated additional costs (visa expenses, immunizations, books & supplies, etc.) In addition, I will be the only person in my family to be in school in the Fall which will alter my financial aid status compared to previous years. 

Participating in the program would not only allow me to gain valuable service and development skills, but also assist me in graduating. After I finish the program, I will have the credits needed to  graduate in Fall 2019. I plan to use this experience to help widen my perspective before I am the first one in my family to attend graduate school. I am raising money for the trip and any amount will help me participate. I am grateful to anyone who wants to support me in my journey this Fall. This is something that I would have never imagined that I would do. If you would like to support, please click the link.

If you are uncomfortable donating on this site for personal reasons but still want to donate, please reach out to me.