Semester program at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru Past Review
By Courtney N (Anthropology., Rice University) for
IFSA: Lima - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
YES. I loved it. I feel more confident and smarter because of it. I would do it all over again.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My classes were very interesting, but at times disorganized, which can be very frustrating. I spent a lot of time just trying to figure out what the assignments were and when they were due. However, the professors were very helpful and the students were friendly. I felt challenged but I also felt like I could have learned more if the class had been planned better. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought the IFSA program was very well planned. I always received help when I asked for it, though some students said they did not. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family that had two parents, two daughters, and five pets. <br /><br /> I liked my host family and their house, but I didn't exactly click with them because they spent so much time out of the house and were always busy. |
| * Food: |
The food in my host house was very good. It was available for me every night when I came home. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the trips we took and the time I spent with the other American students. They are some of my closest friends now. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Lima can be a dangerous city, but if you take precautions you should be fine. I survived okay :) |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look for 5 sol menus! They save a lot of money. And alcohol can be expensive. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I feel much more confident in using my Spanish, but I think more interaction with locals could've helped a lot. It's just very difficult when you are trying to get used to a new culture and country to feel comfortable talking to locals. I sought comfort in American friends a lot, which helped me get by, but also hindered my ability to use my Spanish. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Challenge yourself- socially and physically. Travel a lot and immerse yourself in the culture. You will have a blast. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Quechua |
| Course Department: | LIN 128 |
| Instructor: | Bendezu |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Excellent course. Professor is so helpful and friendly, and he takes a special interest in foreign students. I loved the class, learned a lot, and wish I could take it again! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I didn't request transfer credit for this class. |
