Beautiful country Past Review
By A student (Illinois Wesleyan University) - abroad from 02/22/2014 to 06/07/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
It was definitely worthwhile, and I'm glad that I did SIT, even if it wasn't as challenging as I expected. Peru is an amazing country--it has jungle, mountains, beaches, everything and the people wonderful.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The ISP research month was academically rigorous, although the months leading up to it were not. The program was definitely more academically challenging than other study abroad programs in the area, but many of the students were expecting it to be more rigorous than it turned out to be. On the plus side, we had more time to see the country, which is also very important. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program staff was great, and we all loved them. Sometimes things could be disorganized, especially around ISP time, which was frustrating. However, I think it was good overall. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My homestay family was great, and it was a great way to get more involved in the culture. |
| * Food: |
Peruvians eat a lot of potatoes and rice. A lot. But, the food is fresh and there are also lots of great, cheap restaurants if you look in the right places. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any serious health issues, but the program directors were always there to take care of anyone who was sick. |
| * Safety: |
I was always very safe in Cusco. You definitely have to be smart, as you do in any city, but if you follow the program safety guidelines you should be fine. |
| 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) |
The program gives you money for transportation, food, etc. on trips and for the ISP month, so I didn't spend as much as I thought I would. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The restaurants are really cheap, but after a while it can add up. So just watch the spending there. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| 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? | 300-level |
| 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? | The students tried to speak Spanish together--for about a day. I recommend talking a lot with your host family and other Peruvians. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that it would be hard to make Peruvian friends my age outside of the American program. |
