Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersive and new experience January 21, 2026

By (Spanish Language, Literature, Westminster University) - abroad from 09/05/2025 to 12/05/2025 with

IPSL Global Engagement in Peru: Environmental Justice, Incan Architecture, Indigenous Knowledge, Spanish Language and Volunteering

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to be alone and try more new things, and how to live with a new family and learn about other cultures first hand

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were very fun and you learned by actually doing and see using real world examples.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Loved my host family and my housing. Had my own room very comfortable!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My host family helped a lot! Felt very welcome

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Got food poisoning and was helped at a pharmacy very easily

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I think yes unless another program had more students I would maybe choose that instead

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Only snacks or things in between class so no more than $10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Set a monthly allowance and a separate one for trips and fun activities. Food was very cheap.

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? Spanish 4 or whichever is the highest offered at Westminster
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Do not think to much about it and just practice whenever possible

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • My host family
* What could be improved?
  • The communication and expectations of the student
  • The credit transfer over back to the university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I was the only student in the program

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 Adventurer
The 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.