Peru: A culture shock Past Review
By A student (Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/21/2016 to 06/04/2016 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
I learned how to live in a different country and communicate in a language and culture that I was not originally comfortable with. It was definitely worthwhile.
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. |
The classes were all lecture style. There were not many discussion based classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Guard your valuable belongings while using public transportation. A couple of students on the program had their phones stolen. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
While I really enjoyed living in Peru and traveling around the country, i feel that the program didn't really facilitate integration with the local people. The classes were all long lectures and were very repetitive. I would have loved more discussion based classes and some classes with local Peruvian students. |
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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I spent a lot of money on food and souvenirs but it is very easy to spend less if you eat all meals with your host family. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 5 |
| 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? | Speak with your host family a lot. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | I didn't realize how hard it would be to integrate into life with a host family. |
