Living the dream in Lima, Peru Past Review

By Hunter O (Communication Disorders Sciences and Services., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for

ISA Study Abroad in Lima, Peru

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Yes! My study abroad experience changed my life. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to live in another culture and experience life overseas. I went to improve my Spanish speaking skills and in ALL honesty I think I learned more in one day when I was in Lima than I had learned for the past 4 years studying Spanish in a classroom setting at my University. It's awesome. You should totally do it!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The program in Lima is incredible. Michelle, the director, is American, so she knows the difficulties of learning a second language. The ISA office is located within walking distance of campus and the ISA employees are readily available and super personable. The program had about 25 students, which in my opinion is a great size. My expectations were far exceeded. The excursions were incredible as well.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I loved my host family! I can easily say they were my favorite part about my time in Lima. For me, my family was like a personal language tutor. They were always seeking out conversation with me. During our conversations they would correct my Spanish, help me with my homework, and rejoice with me as I learned more of their language. From talking with other students in the program it sounded like most of them had very similar experiences; however, I was one of two students that lived in a host family by myself. I loved being by myself, because I was able to learn more Spanish as I did not have the opportunity to speak in English when I was at home. However, other students enjoyed living in pairs (or even in threesomes) because they were able to travel around the city conveniently. My host home was about 45 minutes away from the University where I studied. I had to use public transportation every day to get to school. I personally enjoyed it, and the program did a really great job of helping me learn how to navigate my way around the city. My host mom traveled to and from school with me for the first three days of the program. Other conveniences included meals, laundry, etc. My host family had a housekeeper that took care of almost anything I needed.
* Food:	The food in Peru was incredible. I have a milk allergy, but my host family was very accommodating.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Lima itself is big, dirty, and full of traffic, but the people there are incredible. Peru is such a diverse country, but you have to travel outside Lima to experience that. I traveled on the weekends through the ISA trips and they were more than worth the cost. If you go to Peru, make sure
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	You have to be careful in Peru. There is lots of theft. I didn't have any problems, but people in the program with me had a few things stolen when they went out to the clubs at night.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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?	Including travel, I spend about 75 US dollars per week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Actually I had anticipated to spend more, but you can get by living really inexpensively if you are careful with your money. Be careful not to waste money on alcohol.

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?	Advanced Grammar, Cultural Readings, Advanced Conversation
Language acquisition improvement?	I practiced language all the time! I think I learned the most Spanish when I was communicating with my host family. I was the only student living in their home and it was essential that I spoke in Spanish to communicate with them, as they did not speak English. In Peru it is essential to know how to Speak basic Spanish at the very least. Everyone speaks Spanish, but some can speak English.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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	Americans

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Advanced Grammar (Curso de Gramatica Avanzada)
Course Department:	?
Instructor:	Multiple instructors
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was extremely challenging. We had difficulties with the instructor during the program, but the University was quick to make changes. The professor was released from her position and we were assigned two new professors that taught for the remainder of the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any problems as far as I know.

Course Name/Rating:	Intro to Latin American Literature
Course Department:	?
Instructor:	Zadia Ponce
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was really challenging for me. We read stories during class and had to write responses immediately. At the end of the course we were required to give a presentation in Spanish in front of the class for 5 minutes, as well as write a paper on one of the stories that we studied.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any problems as far as I know.