Peru's Food Movement: The Links to Health, Development and Branding

This course (previously co-taught with Kim Dauner, currently co-taught with Chris McIntosh) builds on and integrates the topics from the formerly-known Economic and Business Development in Peru course with the development of the Peruvian food industry and its relationship to Economics and Business, broadly understood. As a consequence of the initiative of Peruvian Chef and Entrepreneur Gastón Acurio to rediscover native Peruvian ingredients (such as quinoa, 90% of which is produced in Peru), Peruvian food has gained increasing attention in recent years. Far from having a limited scope, the growth in the food industry has generated an important number of interconnections with implications in the economic, business, political, social and cultural areas of Peru.

Could you imagine yourself a couple of hours south of the equator, enjoying magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, sipping coffee grown from less than 100 miles away, while discovering a new culture? Or learning about the importance of quinoa as a superfood while cooking your own quinoa risotto? Or discussing how the Incas started to use 'Mother Earth' to cook food and how that is creating jobs in Peru today as you witness a Pachamanca meal prepared in an underground oven? Or, perhaps, taking a train ride through some of the highest Mountains in the continent and the Amazon jungle, to discover one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu? And, at the same time, earning credits towards your degree from UMD? INTB 4231: Peru's Food Movement. The Links to Health, Development and Branding gives you this opportunity.

DATES: May 12th - June 3rd, 2019 [tentative dates, subject to change].

LANGUAGE: English [if you are a Spanish major/minor or are interested in Spanish, this is definitely a great opportunity to enhance your skills, but Spanish is not a requirement for the program].

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb. 1st, 2019

COST: To be determined.

COURSE FULFILLS: Upper Division ECON elective, LSBE International requirement, Global Perspectives requirement, All LSBE Group B electives [some may need program pre-approval].

To apply, click here. Check out the pictures from the May 2017 program [Coming soon].

Pictures from the May 2015 program (click each one to enlarge):

Main square, Cuzco Cuzco (notice the Peru formation) Students in typical Inca wear Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders

Whitewater rafting in Cuzco Volunteering in poorer areas Learning about food while cooking Culture through music

Pictures from the May 2014 program (click each one to enlarge):

Machu Picchu Students with their host families At the soccer games Overcoming poverty through dancing

Students at the Pacific Ocean Modeling Alpaca sweater Cathedral in Cuzco Culture through typical Peruvian dances

Why Peru?

"It seems to me like I have been answering the question, “Why Peru?” for much longer than the few months it really has been. When I think about it, why Peru is really an answer in and of itself. When we

think of traveling and study abroad we think of tourist-like trips to Western Europe. While these trips are fantastic of course, [Peru] has taught me a lot, especially about what I want from my own career. I

can say, without a doubt, that these last three weeks were some of the best of my life."

Jenna Lee, UMD student

One of the most important areas behind Peru's recent growth is the food industry. Peru has been awarded as the world's leading culinary destination in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Eating food in Peru is not only a cultural experience, but a unique opportunity to learn about how this food movement is creating jobs, integrating economic markets and creating business opportunities, while enhancing social integration in Peruvian society. Without a doubt, students enjoy learning about the economics and business of food in Peru. And what better way to learn about it than doing it while cooking your own Peruvian food:

"Not going to lie, I really thought I would hate the food here. I was skeptical. People kept talking about how nice it was going to have authentic food here in Peru and I would half-heartedly agree while secretly

thinking how naïve they were. I thought, we live in America, a first world country that can afford luxuries like the best ingredients, quality meat and fruit, and well-rounded cooks or chefs. I couldn't have been

proven more wrong [sic]."

Andrew Burke, UMD student

The close connection between food and job creation has allowed the country to boom in recent years which, in turn, has also generated an increase in the demand for health services and a need for microfinancing of business opportunities. Learning about these issues in one of the top three microfinance markets in the world is eye-opening for students:

"Studying Peru’s Microfinance Institutions have been extremely fascinating... We were able to visit a Microfinance Institution called Presta Club. We heard from Herbert, a man who benefited from Presta Club,

and the CEO from Presta Club... My classes haven’t covered a subject similar to this and I am really lucky I was able to learn about Microfinance from the source."

Dana Radermacher, UMD student

In this course, students will understand how the growth in the food industry in Peru has created a sense of national identity and social cohesion which have become the base of a Government initiative to create a country brand. Hence, there is a close connection with international marketing and international branding. At the same time, the revaluation of Peruvian produce has helped to integrate rural farmers in the Andes to economic markets by increasing their income and, thus, their welfare. Thus, there is also link with economic development. In spite of all of this, Peru still remains a developing country. The course provides an opportunity to contrast how the inflow of multinational corporations and sound economic policies that have generated the growth spur in recent years still face challenges to continue to reduce poverty and create even more jobs. One of the most fulfilling experiences for students is the opportunity to not only learn about the lack of basic needs that some people around the world still face but, more importantly, to do volunteer work and help these communities to overcome some of these deficiencies:

"Today was definitely the most amazing, heartbreaking, inspiring, rewarding, and eye opening experience ever...We visited Villa Maria del Triunfo, which is the third poorest district in Lima... I am truly grateful to

have make a small positive impact on a few people's lives [by volunteering in their community], but more so for what I learned from this experience."

Briana Maki, UMD student

Visiting Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is certainly one of the highlights of the program! From a more academic perspective, Peru's rapid economic growth in the last 15 years and the higher purchasing power of the population have attracted a number of multinational corporations looking to expand their market shares. Peru is, thus, an excellent case study to apply business, finance, marketing and economic concepts and learn more about all of these topics from an international perspective, especially around the food and beverage sectors:

"...the trapezoid is the signature design of the Incan people... [and] this trapezoid design is being used for modern day marketing. Cusqueña beer, produced at the Backus Brewery which we toured last week,

uses the trapezoidal shape on its beer bottles. It is reassuring to see businesses in Peru trying to include historical parts of their culture into modern day markets."

Megan Brown, UMD student

For more information, and to apply for the program online, click here.

Course information

By exploring these interconnections and creating a multidisciplinary study abroad experience, the course provides an opportunity for students to learn and study the unique conditions that characterize Peru's food movement. Meanwhile, students will explore first-hand how the growth in the food industry has important implications for the economy and the Peruvian society. Each day, students start with a short lecture at Universidad del Pacifico, an AACSB-accredited university, complemented by visiting Government institutions, think tanks, businesses, communities and other organizations. These are some of the highlights of the program:

• Immerse yourself fully in the Peruvian culture by staying with a local, host family.

• Gain first-hand information from CEOs and Government authorities. It is also a good way to expand your network of contacts!

• Learn how the food industry in Peru creates jobs, integrates markets, increases the demand for health services, enhances Peru's country brand and improves economic and business conditions.

• Explore the Peruvian culture by going to Peruvian typical dance shows, going to a soccer game, and learning how to salsa dance.

• Fly to Cuzco to learn more about the Inca Empire.

• Take a train ride, from Cuzco, to the Amazon jungle, to visit one of the seven wonders of the world: Machu Picchu.

Check out this video highlighting some of the academic visits, cultural experiences and fun activities students engaged in during the last trip:

You can also watch some of the highlights from the 2014 visit:

Students' comments

These are some quotes from students' blogs about the trip:

"People had always said soccer games around the world were crazy, but wow I didn’t expect it to be that crazy...The intensity was just indescribable. The guys behind me grabbed me and we were all screaming and cheering after those two goals to tie it up in regulation."

Mitchell Andres

"Half of our visits are with CEOs of large law firms or company’s and the other half are to impoverished districts, providing us with a very unique experience and perspective on both ends of the spectrum. Despite the vast differences between the two groups, a couple things can be found everywhere you go - optimism and pride."

Zoe Bergstrom

"As I sit at home in Minnesota for the first time in three weeks, I am still lost in thought of the country I left behind. Some of these thoughts are of the wonderful food, colors, my host family, the crazy people that went on the trip with me, and the shops."

Kaylene Born

"...this was part of the reason I felt like this study abroad trip was the right choice for me. A site like Machu Picchu really is breathtaking... It is amazing how much the world has to offer and I feel so grateful that I have had the opportunity to have these experiences."

Megan Brown

"The Andes provide the most spectacular scenery ... On the plane to Cuzco, it was beyond my imagination when I looked out the window to see that the mountain tops were piercing through the clouds."

Andrew Burke

"After having another delicious breakfast with papaya, orange, pineapple juice, fresh rolls, sauco jam, and coffee, we started the days' adventures. I could realllly get used to eating like this."

Courtney Cummings

"Sand boarding was ended by watching the sunset on top of one of a very tall sand dune and it was amazing! It didn't look like real life!"

Emily Henderson

"When the day FINALLY arrived and I got to visit Machu Picchu, this mystery that still remains to this day made my experience that much more magical and quite honestly surreal. All I can say is that I am truly blessed to be able to experience a once in a lifetime trip like this."

Victoria Jacobsen

"...we also had a cooking class where we learned how to make my favorite dish, ceviche. The food in Peru is a fabulous and unique cuisine and is very important to the culture."

Morgan Johnson

"June 2nd was the day that everybody was looking forward too from the beginning: MACHU PICCHU. It was the most amazing thing that I have ever set eyes on... I would not change a single thing about my trip... and I believe that I am a better person for going to Peru."

Emily Kowalczyk

"...I appreciated the organization that was put into it. Every class was organized to line up with a field trip to a place where we could learn outside the class room hands on."

Molly Knutson

" [the] race through parts of the city... was a lot of fun and really helped us all feel more comfortable riding the bus, catching a taxi, and exploring new places in Lima."

Elizabeth Kropf

"When it comes to being a global citizen, I think this trip has taught me a lot, especially about what I want from my own career. I can say, without a doubt, that these last three weeks were some of the best of my life."

Jenna Lee

"I LOVED my host family. Make sure you get as many members from our trip into that house as you can... If I write down anymore reasons why they were such a great host family I'll start crying again as they were so good to us."

Kristena Lundeen

"Sunday we had the awesome opportunity to whitewater raft the Vilcanota river through the Andes and other mountains. I'm not sure what was better: the rafting itself or the views while we were rafting... I can't even begin to explain the amount of fun we all had."

Briana Maki

"Our time in Lima gave me the opportunity to be apart of the community, not just an observer. So much that we did in Lima wasn’t “touristy” and I am extremely thankful for that. We were the first American students to experience many of the activities we partook in. Specifically I will not forget our visit to D1, where the instructor thanked us with tears in his eyes. Seeing Machu Picchu was amazing – but I think it was moments like that at D1 that really were life-changing for me."

Kelli Meierding

"The trip overall was amazing. A ton of cultural experiences as well as the ability to apply what I have learned in classes to a completely different environment. The fact that their economic environment is so much different than the United Sates adds to my diversity of knowledge... It was the best 21 days of my life and I would love to re-experience it again."

Luke Merrill

"The soccer match was incredible, seeing how in love people are with the sport and how it is such a large part of their lives is amazing...Seeing that emotion and feeling that energy was something we could have never gotten in the states."

Austin Monsrud

"I visited with CEO’s and businesses I didn’t even know existed before this trip to see how they run their companies... The lectures were packed with intriguing information making me think from a whole new perspective which is exactly what I was hoping for by coming on this trip."

Michelle Mueller

"Thursday night was one of the most fun nights I had in Peru. I went to [the TV show] Yo Soy...This was my first time being in a live audience like that and it was neat to see everything that went on behind the scenes. When I got back home that night my host family was so excited because they saw me on the television a couple of times."

Carly Newman

"I really liked the trip to Peru. I learned a lot about the country and about how business and government work together... the trip really brought a lot into perspective about how we have it in the U.S. and really helped to increase my understanding about Latin American culture."

Rachel Ofstie

"Peru has been an amazing experience that has opened my eyes past my typical sheltered life... I never realized how much I take for granted every day..."

Dana Radermacher

"Of course one of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to see Machu Picchu. It truly is a wonder of the world. I have seen pictures before so I knew it was beautiful, but there are no words to fully describe what I saw. I cannot even count the number of times that I got chills from looking around me, surrounded by mountains, and Ancient Inca ruins ... If you ever have the chance in your life, I believe everyone should go to see Machu Picchu."

Emily Severson

"The drive there was very eye-opening to the surrounding poverty... It was magnificent to see all the kids doing these ridiculous dance moves, but I was blown away with how inclusive and accepting they were of our group, even though they had just met us."

Jane Welch