Cleyde finished her studies! What's next?

Cleyde is one of the 21 Amantani students who have finished their studies this year. Having finished her final courses in March, her next step is getting her certificate so that she can work as an Official Tour Guide, after three years of study.

Due to her excellent academic performance, the Khipu Institute has given her the chance to write a thesis. Even though there’s no deadline to complete her thesis, Cleyde has already started it. She wants to start working soon and won’t be able to do so, unless she has her official tour guide ID. Currently, tourism regulations in Cusco determine that only official tour guides can work at the most renowned tourist attractions.

Cleyde visits Machu Picchu Golden Travel, the travel agency where she did her first internship.

“My first internship was at Machu Picchu Golden Travel,” says Cleyde. Her role at this this travel agency was to pick up tourists from the airport or from their hotels and accompany them to the tourist attractions. During her second internship at Wayna Mundo Travel travel agency, she worked in customer service, selling packages and coordinating trips. In the last few months, Cleyde has also been supporting Amantani by guiding a group of international tourists through the city of Cusco and showcasing Paqari Wayna.

Due to the pandemic, Cleyde was only able to study in person during her first year. A few months ago, we had the opportunity to visit the Khipu Institute with her. We got to see the classrooms, the library, and take a peek at new areas that are still under construction. Cleyde also got to see her favourite teacher again, who she hadn’t seen in person for over two years.

Cleyde adds her own inspiring messages to those of her fellow students, as she signs the "good wishes" poster at the Khipu Institute.

Cleyde poses next to Jesús Manuel Guillén, her favourite teacher at the Khipu Institute.

Cleyde poses in front of Angel wings at the Khipu Institute.

Studying in Ccorca during the pandemic wasn’t easy either. “I didn’t have an internet connection at home, so I would go to the stadium with my laptop.” However, moving back to her community did have an upside. “I have more things to do there,” she says. “I finished studying and took care of my animals, or helped my little sister with her virtual classes. Then I studied some more, and so on. I couldn’t do that in the city, and it could be a bit boring at times.” One of the reasons why Paqari Wayna, our youth hub, is so important for the programme’s success, is because it’s a gathering point for the young people. Here, they can meet up with their fellow classmates, and have delicate and important conversations with their tutors, regarding their personal and professional lives. Even though the Hub was mostly closed during the pandemic, it is now open again for everyone from Monday through Friday.

Cleyde’s new stage in her professional life involves working as a professional tour guide in the city of Cusco. Tourism is currently one of the five most profitable business in the Cusco region, and there is more and more demand for professionals in tourism-related careers. Cleyde will continue to develop her thesis to finally become the Official Tour Guide she has been dreaming with for the past 3 years. We wish you the all the best, Cleyde!