Sheridan College TRIO students participate in Peru service-learning trip

Sheridan College students traveled thousands of miles this spring, but the impact of their journey extended far beyond distance. Through the TRIO College Success Program at the college, seven students and four staff members participated in a 10-day service-learning trip to Peru from March 12-21, 2026. The experience, organized in cooperation with REWILD/Discover Pachamama and connected to the Sociology Field Studies course, blended academic learning, cultural immersion and hands-on community work.

Students spent part of their trip in the rural community of Pongo Bamba in Chinchero, where they contributed to local projects and worked alongside residents. The service component offered a meaningful opportunity to engage directly with another culture while supporting community-identified needs.

“It’s one thing to learn about the world in a classroom, but it’s another to experience it firsthand and build relationships with people from different backgrounds,” said College Success Program Director, Joseph Aguirre. “Trips like this challenge students to grow, reflect and see their role in a global community.”

Beyond their service work, students explored some of Peru’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks. Their travels included visits to the Inca Trail (Camino Inka), Mirador Racchi, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, and the Urubamba Valley. These experiences helped students connect course concepts to real-world contexts, deepening their understanding of history, culture and sustainability.

For many participants, the trip was transformative. Students gained new perspectives on global issues, developed stronger communication and problem-solving skills and built lasting connections with their peers and the communities they served.

The TRIO program, a federally funded initiative, supports students in achieving academic success, particularly those who are first-generation college students, from limited-income backgrounds or have disabilities. By offering advising, tutoring, mentorship and enrichment opportunities like study-away programs, TRIO helps students persist in college and reach their educational and career goals.

“Service learning opportunities like this are incredibly valuable. They help prepare students to thrive in their lives after college,” said Sheridan College President Dr. Walt Tribley. “We are proud to support programs that expand students’ perspectives and help them become engaged, globally minded leaders.” For the students who traveled to Peru, the experience was more than a trip; it was a powerful step in their personal and academic journeys, one that broadened their worldview and reinforced the value of learning through service.