Lima is a good place to study abroad Past Review
By David O (Food Science, University of Tennessee - Knoxville) for
ISA Study Abroad in Lima, Peru
I would have done the year program again but would have taken both semesters in spanish, or had half spanish and half english classes each semester. The cliche is you regret what you don't do..I would have taken more risks, seen more things, gotten out of the house more, taken more difficult courses...
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Labs require a stronger work ethic and the return in knowledge is much greater. Take classes in Spanish to avoid listless students. There is red tape involved if looking for outside help from your professors. Office hours do not exist. Classes are six days a week, and blocks of classes can be all day. When I returned to the states I got the highest semester GPA of my life. Coincidence? I think not. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They worry, sometimes they seem kind of overprotective; but if you are in a bind, if you forget your passport, need transcripts, they're there for you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with Carmela, Pepe, Sanrda, Renzo, Sarita, and Pepo. Yea. |
| * Food: |
Go explore, if money or meat is an issue buy raw materials and cook it yourself. Carmela and Sarita do not mind helping; its what I did. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
arranged by program: Iquitos, the jungle; Islas Ballestas. Not arranged by program: Senor de los Milagros in Lima, Arequipa and Cajamarca. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Chargas, Malaria, Dengue in the jungle; get your shots stateside. In Lima I rarely felt threatened. The majority of people seem more eager to call a taxi for you or help you than try and rob you. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language most often with my girlfriends, hehehe. Yes, spanish is used everyday. No, most people did not speak english. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't come here if you love being carded when you go to bars or if you hate dealing with cash money and change. When a Peruvian tells you she loves you she means it, don't take that lightly. Give yourself time to see the country, two semesters is the way to go. |
