Aventura en el Perú Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 03/10/2019 to 07/15/2019 with
IFSA: Lima - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
I learned that you're not always going to be in your comfort zone, and once you're out of it, the adventure begins! I learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and that's a very worthwhile lesson for me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did a home-stay and my host family was wonderful! It was a great experience. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The most integrated I felt in the local culture was with my host family and the activities we would do together. It was hard to integrate in the university because of me being an exchange student, but it is possible. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Just be smart, as you would be in any other city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I thought this program provided support when needed but offered a lot of freedom, so I was able to make the experience what I wanted it to be rather than someone else controlling it. |
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
For the most part, Perú is a lot cheaper than the US, so it was easy to budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe $100. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | For my university, HISP 192. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Speak as much as you can. At first it will be uncomfortable and you will fumble, but once you listen to more conversations and partake in them, it gets easier. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Abroad is a fun and wonderful experience, but it's not always fun and wonderful and that's okay. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
