Oswego Going Global

SUNY Oswego 2015 Peru: Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca Team

Our Stories

What a great experience to reflect on!

The Inca trial hike was a challenge that tested our

mental, emotional and physical strengths. It was a

chance of realizing that it “takes a village” to succeed! …..

We grew together and became a family; supported each other,

faced disappointments and experienced joys; shared hardships

and triumphs; made friends with the guides, crew and locals.

Together we followed the footsteps of Incas, visited the

architecturally stunning Machu Picchu, sailed across Lake Titicaca,

and all the while we enjoyed Peruvian hospitality, great food, music and cultural events.

Peru is a wonderful place to visit. 1000 pictures, yet none has captured the beauty of the landscape and words cannot describe the amazing people and their rich culture. The landscape is as beautiful as the people, the culture is as rich as promised by history, and the purity of their lifestyle is as heartwarming as the smile of a child.

Together we experienced a whole new adventure with heartfelt excitement … What a great experience to reflect on!

Mehran Nojan, Co-Founder of Oswego Going Global; OGG 2015 Team Leader

I had Hoped ……..

Traveling to Peru was exactly as I had hoped it would

be. I had hoped it would be an opportunity to explore and

learn a new culture. I had hoped to be a member of a

strong team that bonded over challenges and triumphs.

I had hoped I would have a chance to meet new friends

and learn together from and with each other. I had hoped

that I would have an opportunity to witness acts of kindness and humanity that would refresh my faith. I had hoped my mom and I would take in breathtaking views of nature and feel that we were a part of it together. I had hoped that I would stand on hallowed ground and feel history come alive. I had hoped to be an active citizen in our global community. Yes... I would say, this trip was exactly as I had hoped it would be... and more.

Leila Karkia, Adjunct Faculty, Co-founder of Oswego Global, OGG 2014 Peru Team

I made it, I really made it ! At the beginning of this journey, I was confident in my ability to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but my belief in myself was tested when I thought I wouldn’t make it up the mountain. This trip was a challenge for me because I had never felt so defeated in my life and I had no way to escape the situation. However I was able to make it all the way up to Machu Picchu with the help and support of Dr. Mehran Nojan (team leader) and my OGG teammates.

Standing at the Sun Gate with my eyes closed, I started

to cry even before my first sight of Machu Picchu; I was

thinking to myself, I made it, I really made it. I learned that

I need more confidence in myself and that I’m stronger than what I think. Experiencing Peru first hand by interacting with its people has opened my eyes to how different everybody’s lives are around the world. The porters have really impacted my view on life I have a deep most respect for these men because when I thought my situation was horrible, they had it a lot worse, but they kept on going with wide smiles and happy “Holas” in passing. I believe my journey to Peru has made me more confident in myself and opened my eyes to a world that I never knew existed; there are so many things and places in the world to see, but the people make the experience worthwhile. Olivia Botting , OGG 2014 Peru Team

One exit many kilometers away!When you are nauseous, exhausted, and sweaty with a pounding headache, sore muscles, and chaffed legs, the last place you want to be is in the middle ofa foreign country, in the rain, on a trail with only one exit many kilometers away. But knowing my onlyoption was to keep going, I accomplished the biggestchallenge of my life. I learned that I am a much stronger person than I thought I was. The mental and physicalstrength it took to get through this challenge was something I didn’t know I had in me. Sometimes it takesan experience as extreme as this one to realize this about yourself.

One thing I will never forget about this trip was the peopleI met. I absolutely am humbled by the work that the porters do. I cannot wrap my head around the weight that they carry, their speed and efficiency, and their kind and polite attitudes. I was amazed to find out how much work the porters do for such little money. All I wanted to do was show my respect and appreciation for them, and I felt frustrated when my body couldn’t handle the food they had prepared for us. I wish I knew Spanish to express my gratitude towards them. I hope that they understand how grateful we were, and that the job that they do is admirable.

This trip has definitely been quite the learning experience. I’ve discovered that I am stronger than I give myself credit for. If I don’t give myself the option of quitting then I can accomplish anything. Emily Schwerzmann – OGG 2015 Peru

Team

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao TzuFrom this trip, I feel humbled to live where I do, to appreciate thethings we take for granted every single day: a hot shower, a workingtoilet, running water that we can drink at our leisure, owning a car, andhigher education. In addition, I also learned that misery loves company, but complaining will never get you anywhere. Much like the day we hiked for 14 hours, sure I wanted to complain about the going downhill for hours, but what were my options? To quit and sit there, or suck it up, deal with it, and continue on my way. And for continuing, and not quitting, is worth something in itself. It was interesting to see how Western culture has made it to even the smallest of regions of the world. For example, during the festivities and celebration at the Pachatata temple (Amantani Island) , I noticed men and women, dressed in traditional vestments, sat in sweltering Sun trying to sell drinks and candy to make a few Soles. It was curious to see how Coca Cola and other candies (US products) were being sold atop a mountain, meanwhile the rest of the culture on the island is very basic, family oriented, and where traditions reign true. Seeing Coke infringe on such a true and pure culture was rather eye opening. I couldn’t help but imagine the plastic bottles and candy wrappers being strewn across the farm land, much like how we had seen in the other cities. This place was too much beautiful for that. Although I understand that innovation should help the progression of a country, I believe that traditions should still remain constant. This being said, I felt that this image was an excellent representation of culture clash, and how Western culture has spread worldwide, and in my opinion, to a place that I wish it had not where the incredible should remain pure and unspoiled.

Jessica Nurczynsk - OGG 2105 Peru Team

There is nothing that can stop me but myself.The Inca trail is indeed the most challenging as well as the most exciting experience ever.. Before westarted, I was so nervous that I was panicking a littlebit and I thought I wasn’t going to make it to the first camp. However, with the help of humor, conversation, amazing food, singing and greathistory of places, I began to relax and the 4 days went as smoothly as possible. Every single day on the trailhad something different, exciting and challenging aboutit, and I went to bed every night trying to plan my nexttrip. My most fulfilling part on the trail was when my professor asked me to move to the back to slow downa little. It gave me a chance to motivate my fellowteammates (now friends). Although it seemed that mysinging, little words of encouragement and humor pushed them to keep hiking, they were in fact helpingMe to stay focused and motivated. I honestly wouldn’thave made it without them, they were funny, patient and had encouraging words.

I also absolutely loved and admired the crew. Seeing them to do their hard work with a smile on their faces, made me happy and also encouraged me to keep pushing.My favorite part about the entire trip was the food. I loved the food because they were fresh and they tasted very delicious. I also loved the dance performances both on the islands (an event that we all participated) and in the restaurants.

At the end of this trip, I am grateful for being alive on this beautiful planet, so as to explore more and more it. I feel like I can do anything and there is nothing that can stop me but myself. Oluwakemi Mogaji , OGG 2015 Peru Team

Everything can’t go right 100% of the time.

Growing up one of my biggest pet peeves has always beentardiness. I have believed that if you are given a time to be somewhere, you should be there by that time or earlier. With that being said, during my time in Peru one thing I learned that I hadmore patience than I had thought. Whether it was taking longer thanexpected on our hikes, or running late for dinner I had to learn to gowith the flow and not stress over the small things. Everything can’tgo right 100% of the time.

I also learned that Peruvian culture is much different than theculture in New York. Here it is very hectic, stressful and fast paced.Growing up in an environment like that you tend to follow the culture,which is why I would assume when things were slower than usual I became stressed. The culture in Peru leaves you on the other end of the spectrum. People are more patient, laid back and easygoing.

The biggest thing I took away from Peru is to enjoy the simple things. Happiness doesn’t need to come from money and having the best of everything. People should find richness in having their family and freedom. If people didn’t worry about money so much they would live a happier, longer, less stressed life. Amanda Vitagliano – OGG 2015 Peru Team

I would like to live life a bit more simply.

Hiking Machu Picchu was the single most challenging thing Ihave ever done in my life- both physically and mentally. Throughthe experience I learned how positivity has a strong impact onhow well one does on challenging tasks. The culture of Peruvian people seemed very simple but happyand bright. They may not have as much money as someAmericans or as many expensive electronics as many of us do,but they work hard and enjoy life as it comes to them. I foundtheir attitudes and overall demeanors to be uplifting andinspirational when I was frustrated. Our tour guide displayed thismentality as well as the crew, local people we passed along theway, and the families that we stayed with. From the culture and other experiences, I learned that I would liketo live life a bit more simply. Less time on my laptop and phone and more time outside or working to help someone else out would be beneficial to others and myself. My attitude can affect others around me by giving off certain vibes. Even when some members of the trip were sick, they never let it show and instead seemed upbeat and excited to go on, which gave me more motivation to go on. It took multiple people to cheer on and help us (and each other) but in the end, we made it to the destination with smileson our faces. Jennifer Desormo – OGG 2015 Peru Team