After ski week, a group of high school students from Colegio San Jose, a Jesuit school in Arequipa, Peru, visited Los Angeles to immerse themselves in the daily life of Loyola High School students. During the two weeks, they attended classes with their Loyola brothers, visited Skid Row, toured universities such as the University of Southern California, and celebrated Super Bowl Sunday with their American Loyola brothers.

Leader of the exchange program and Spanish teacher Ana De Castro emphasized the importance of this exchange, stating, “The reason to keep this going is to keep a long-lasting relationship, internationally. And also to allow a global idea to become a reality.”

This exchange experience helps both Americans and Peruvians learn more about a foreign country’s culture. Not only is it an opportunity to learn more about others’ identities, but also to foster international friendships, promote cultural exchange, and give students from both countries the opportunity to learn from one another.

Amado Machorro-Burn ’26 participated in the exchange and said, “I have not only made friends with Hugo, [a Peruvian student] but also a brother for the rest of my life.” Machorro-Burn’s words convey the deep connections that many students have formed throughout the program. The students who visited Loyola and lived with American families were given the opportunity to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mathieu Pacheco, a Colegio San Jose student, stated, “My experience here has been life-changing, and living with Gabriel, [a Loyola student], has been chill and awesome to stay with.”

Through opportunities like this exchange, Loyola students gained a greater understanding of the world around them and their place within it. As Loyola continues to build relationships internationally, these experiences will inspire students to become engaged global citizens while exploring new cultures and learning about others.