A new second home-- Cusco, Peru Past Review
By A student (HISTORY., University of Southern Maine) - abroad from 05/20/2012 to 07/01/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Cusco, Peru
It was absolutely worthwhile. As much as I learned about Latin American, and more specifically Peruvian culture, I think I learned the most about myself. When I was placed in a foreign country sans friends, family, and my entire support system, I learned how important my social network is, and how to make greater humanitarian connections with people through cultural and linguistic differences.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Only Centro Tinku |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
A ton of starches, potatoes and rice as side dishes are commonly used in the same meal. Prepare to eat potatoes endlessly, but luckily Peruvians have been cooking them in a variety of ways for thousands of years, so they're still yummy! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The economy is based on tourism, almost entirely. That being said, as a gringa it's extremely hard to form genuine connections with local people on the street without having to partake in some of the cornier aspectsof tourism. I was weary of how to participate in tourism without exploiting the local people. Friends and family members of host families were great local cultural connections. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Better than in the US. I had a mild lung infection, and there was a doctor at my bedside an hour after he had been called. The doctors prescribe more meds down there than I was used to up here, but I was healthy in no time and felt well cared for and safe. |
| * Safety: |
I live in Portland, Maine and I felt just as safe in Cusco, Peru. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
It was definitely easy to live cheaply, but I made the decision to spend a little more money here and there and do some independent travel. I spent about $150-$200 a week and lived better than I do at home. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150-$200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take out cash on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule and once it's gone, it's gone. Also, if possible try not to think like a cheap college kid all the time, you don't want to have to have dollar signs flying through your head the entire time you're abroad. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | SPA 202 |
| 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? | ALWAYS speak the language. Make a pact with your English speaking housemates/classmates to only speak in the foreign language, even if you're only amongst each other. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I loved my time in Peru. I loved the opportunities and planning that the program provided, but I discovered along the way I'm not a program person and probably would've benefitted more from independent travel. I wish I had known that I would be with the same group of 25 Americans everyday who were more excited to be out of their parents' watch than immersed in a foreign culture. |
