Peru: The country I fell in love with Past Review
By Ashley W (Psychology, University of Northern Colorado) for
ISA Study Abroad in Cusco, Peru
Definitly yes!!! I just wish I could have gone for longer. The experience definitely broadened my cultural awareness.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload is doable. It is like any summer class the work is more intensive than a full semester. The classes are two hours with 15 minute breaks every hour, at least when I went they were. I think it is a great academic experience. Just choose classes that are at your appropriate learning level. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt very well taken care of and supported. The program is on the smaller side compared to Lima, but Cusco is a much smaller city. They got things done and seem very knowledgable to help students with transition between the US and Peru. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family who treated me as part of the family. I lived about a 20 minute drive from school which really is not bad. The combis and taxis have good prices for easy transportation. The safety in the neighborhood was great and there were several parks nearby. I did not need to buy anything to settle in. |
| * Food: |
There are many vegetarian restaurants and restaurants with the Peruvian take on other cuisines such as Asian or Italian. Just follow the suggestions the program staff give you on what to avoid. My host parents were great on any dietary restrictions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Exploring in the jungle outside of Puerto Maldonado, going to Machu Picchu and traveling around Lake Titicaca were three things I really wanted to do in my lifetime. All of those trips were organized by the program. I really enjoyed traveling with my family to a vacation house with their extended family for the Peruvian Independence Day. It was also fun to visit historical sites around Cusco some of which were arranged by the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I think the city is as safe as any city is. My advice is to be aware of your surroundings, have at least one buddy at night, and overall just be street smart. |
| 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? | On average I spent $40 (US) a week (plus or minus $5-$10)(Combis cut down transportation costs significantly). I also found a place that has a 4 soles sandwich that I went to every other day. I did spend a lot more on the week I bought a lot of gifts (for that I would recommend giving yourself a limit to how much you can afford to spend and stick to that number). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was informed of paying airport taxes/fees (in cash), but doesn't hurt to know early. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 (and I ended up withdrawing from that class) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Host parents, tutor, friends, aquaintences. A person can definitely get by on only knowing a little Spanish while in town if need be. However, you can get more information by speaking Spanish, since that is one of the big languages spoken in Cusco. Quechua and other native languages are also spoken. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A word of wisdom is enjoy the time you have to the fullest. A student who does not enjoy the fast pace life of a large city and would like less people to speak English would benefit from this program. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Grammar and Composition |
| Course Department: | SPAN 301 |
| Instructor: | Enrique Herrera |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was challenging, but it was easier than my home university's version since the textbook had a decent amount of English in it (the course was taught in Spanish though). Though there is composition in the title it might be valuable to take a composition course as well from your home university (mine made me do this). |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No there was no problem with transfering credits. However, my home university would only allow me to recieve credit for a grammar class (they have individual classes for grammar and composition). I think this was valuable because after taking the composition course from my home university I learned more about different types of writing styles. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Survey of Latin American Literature: |
| Course Department: | SPAN 495 |
| Instructor: | Enrique Herrera |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This is a great course and intersting material that is read. Make sure you have taken a college level literature class previous to the literature class offered if analysis of literature is not something you are particularily good at in English or Spanish. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. |
