I Fell in Love with Peru Past Review
By Erin H (Pre-Occupational Therapy, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for
ISA Study Abroad in Lima, Peru
110% worth my while. I use a completely different lens to view the world. I appreciate culture, nature, people, and uncomfortability on a completely different level. Studying abroad opened my eyes to the ignorance I have had towards the grand scope of economical, political, and social variety throughout the world! I have truly been changed from this experience, and hope to have the experience to work abroad in a Spanish speaking nation after completing my Masters degree in Occupational Therapy.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | La Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola |
| 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. |
Classes were CERTAINLY easier, and the majority of the Peruvian students seemed to take their studies less seriously than what I was used to in the USA. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISA staff in Lima, Peru, was absolutely wonderful. They were not only knowledgeable and willing to go out of their way to make our experience the best it could be, but they also were very easy to talk with and a lot of fun. My host university was not as helpful as I would have liked when it came to time of enrollment and sending transcripts back to the US, but ISA staff was very adamant with the university to ensure that all of our needs were met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was a huge factor in my satisfaction with my study abroad experience as a whole. They went out of their way to teach myself and the other two Americans living with their family how to use public transportation (which is anything but easy in Lima) and treated us as members of the family from the first day to the last. All necessary items for living were provided, and I was introduced to many cultural delicacies as well as arts and history by my host family. |
| * Food: |
-Best sushi in Peru (and quite possibly the world): Oceanika -Delicious Ceviche, Tacu-Tacu, Chicharonnes: Punto Azul -Give anticuchos a try!!! And you won't be disappointed with Aji de Gallina, either -Ease yourself into Peruvian food, and follow the rules on drinking the water. But try everything that you can! This country is known for its cuisine for a reason. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Amazon Rainforest (fishing for piranhas, seeing and interacting with wildlife, and canoeing down the Amazon), Paracas and Ica (sand-boarding in the desert), Mancora (beautiful beaches and surfing), Peru's National Team's Futbol Match, Red Hot Chili Peppers Concert, and of course, the AMAZING Machu Picchu trip (Cusco is a BEAUTIFUL city) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Be street-smart! Keep your money in a safe place, don't leave a bag or purse unattended, and always carry extra in your shoe in case you are robbed. I did not feel unsafe in Lima, but several people in my program were robbed. ISA has a very good health insurance policy, and the few friends who did end up in the clinic for different health issues did not have to spend a lot of money to be treated. |
| 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? | Because my meals were provided, I only spent money on public transportation and social activities. To estimate, I managed to spend 90 soles a week (roughly $30 a week). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You will probably decide to do some of your own traveling (outside of the program's excursions) while there, which can be a little expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Spanish II |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My host family did not speak a word of English, and although it was a bit terrifying at first, I benefited greatly from this. In Peru, Spanish will be used everyday. Although most college students in Lima are studying/have studied English, the majority of people in the country do not know English. If studying at USIL, I highly recommend taking at least ONE class (other than a language course) that is offered in Spanish. ISA also offered tutoring weekly that helped with language skills as well as some of my classes. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | As a study abroad student, you have to be open-minded and prepared to embrace uncomfortable situations, no matter which country you decide to study in. In Peru, you are going to meet genuine, good people, enjoy some of the best cuisine the world has to offer, learn about a deeply rooted culture, and see landscapes that will leave you breathless. I wholeheartedly recommend this study abroad program to anyone studying Spanish who is searching for an independence and appreciation of the world that will forever change their life. |
