Machu Picchu is famous for being a wonder of the world. But have you ever considered teaching in the nearby province once the capital of the Incan Empire? Samantha is a Máximo Nivel alumna currently teaching English in Cusco, Peru. Keep reading for an account of her experiences teaching English in the heart of an ancient culture.
Everyone warned me that Cusco was high. Resting at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, I truly did not know what to expect when I embarked on my 20-hour journey to get here. Shortly after landing, I realized that no one had been kidding about the altitude. To this day, I can make an average flight of stairs look like an Olympic marathon. But this is a small price to pay for living in the gateway to the Andes. A mountain range I thought I’d only ever encounter in atlases.
My first day in the city was a blur of introductions and altitude sickness. However, most of my trepidations were washed away by cups of coca tea and the accommodations that Máximo had pre-arranged for me. This included airport pick-up that dropped me at the front door of my homestay. My host parents were also eager to please, offering me coffee and showing me where my TEFL classes would take place over the next few weeks. This was more appreciated than they realized as I could get lost in a bowling alley.
Since then, two months have flown by and I’m still here. I initially chose Cusco for its rich cultural and historical relevance to the Incan civilization. And I made the right choice in that regard. It is not uncommon for me to stumble across Incan (or even pre-Incan) ruins on an afternoon hike and Quechua is an indigenous language still spoken by many of the locals. However, it’s not just the history that has kept me here. A few weeks into my TEFL training course I realized I was falling in love with the monolithic architecture and the mountain views.
I have never lived in an environment where landscape and culture feel so intertwined. Cusco holds a blend of colonial and indigenous remnants unto itself, but the surrounding region also provides so much to explore. There is a large hiking culture in Peru and Cusco lies next door to the Sacred Valley, brimming with archeological sites to see. This area of the world is also known for its spiritual retreats and medicinal plants. Many “superfoods” such as maca and quinoa are simply part of daily cuisine.
I quickly felt at home amidst the local lifestyle. I took a week of Spanish classes, which really helped me learn some basic phrases as I was settling into the city. The locals are less rushed and it is not uncommon for a shop owner or juice lady to learn your name. Food is fresh and you can find it everywhere on the street. I’m easily persuaded to pause for an anticucho or a fresh-squeezed orange juice. Early on in my stay here I knew I didn’t want to leave. So immediately after I completed the four-week training course, I accepted a job as an English teacher at Maximo Nivel.
Teaching English abroad was something that I initially saw as a steppingstone. A listing on my resume. A story to tell my friends. However, it has grown into a significant part of my life. I genuinely enjoy teaching and it is the perfect way to support a traveler’s lifestyle. Lesser-known but no less spectacular ruins such as Waqrapukara and Naupa Iglesia are only a weekend’s trip away.
I was initially concerned about staying in an accommodation where food was provided due to my health restrictions. I have Celiac Disease and adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. But my fears were appeased when I arrived to a more than accommodating host family who had prepared a delicious gluten-free meal. My dietary restrictions have not prevented me from building a comfortable life in Cusco.
But any living abroad experience requires flexibility. I encountered a few complications during my first week of training, such as my luggage being lost and acquiring a stomach infection. Fortunately, Máximo’s staff was accommodating on both occasions and directed me to a reliable clinic. In general, finding needed medication in Cusco has been cheaper and easier than expected.
Adapting to life in Peru has been an adjustment but one well worth the effort. The unpredictable rain can leave you wet or stuck but the clouds part almost every day. On a clear afternoon you can see snow-tipped Ausangate in the distance against a background of blue sky. Cusco is a wonderful place to spend a few weeks, months or years. If you visit, chances are you won’t want to leave. I haven’t yet.