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Stephanie Makin

Bio Summary
Cohort Year: 
2011
Home Institution: 
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
Heinz Programming Area: 
Children, youth, and Families
Study Abroad Country: 
Peru
International Experience

Stephanie Makin spent six weeks in Peru living with her host family and taking history and Spanish classes. In her History of the Incas class she learned about the shrines of Cusco and explored the approximately 14 corresponding ceques in the city and hills of Peru. Stephanie was also able to talk to anthropologist Brian Bauer about his quest to uncover the royal Incan mummies. Stephanie’s host family also made it easy to be immersed in the Peruvian culture. She tried many traditional Peruvian foods, including ceviche, pisco sour, marycuyo, alpaca, arroz con pollo, empanadas, tamales, aaroz con leche, and much more. Also, for Inti Rymi Stephanie was given a Peruvian delicacy that consisted of cuy, seaweed, fish eggs, popcorn cornels, potato cakes, and chicken. Stephanie also embraced the Peruvian culture by learning how to make chichi morada, causa de pollo and mazamorra morada by a Peruvian chef. Stephanie was also taught by Peruvian dance instructors how to dance the salsa. Stephanie learned so much about the Peruvian history by going on the excursions. While visiting the weaving center in Awanacancha and Chinchero and Nelly’s House, Stephanie learned how the alpacas are shaved down and how their hair is dyed different colors with natural herbs such as berries. Stephanie also learned how to play a traditional Peruvian drinking game called Sapo when she went to the Inka Bar during one of her cultural events. While spending a couple days in Puerto Maldonado Stephanie was able to go night trekking through the Amazon Jungle and see a caiman, several monkeys, a tarantula, and numerous frogs and lizards. On Stephanie’s last excursion to Puno, she visited Uros floating island and enjoyed their culture by trying on their clothes and dancing salsa to a local band. During her time abroad, Stephanie learned to look at the world from a whole new and exciting perspective.

Community Engagement Experience
CEE Title: 
Crash Into Diversity

For her CEE, Crash Into Diversity was the CEE of three VIH awardees at UPB. The team created a two hour program for fifth grade students to increase their acceptance of diversity. Through different skits, they role played situations. The students also played diversity bingo, had group discussions on aspects of diversity, and met different UPB university students from foreign countries, thus increasing their appreciation for different languages and cultures.

For her CEE, Crash Into Diversity was the CEE of three VIH awardees at UPB. The team created a two hour program for fifth grade students to increase their acceptance of diversity. Through different skits, they role played situations. The students also played diversity bingo, had group discussions on aspects of diversity, and met different UPB university students from foreign countries, thus increasing their appreciation for different languages and cultures.

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