Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Stuck with me! March 10, 2023

By (American Studies and Spanish, Kenyon College) - abroad from 08/30/2022 to 12/11/2022 with

SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. I improved quite a bit in my target language and saw multiple ways of life beyond what I knew existed before. Through my independent study project, I combined several areas of interest and learned a lot about my topic that I never would have learned otherwise. I will be discovering ways that this experience effected me for years to come.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Less rigorous than my home institution, but certainly puts the "study" in "study abroad". The most formative part of the academics for me was the month-long independent study at the end, when each of us did an individual project and most of us conducted field work on our own. That will stick with me my whole life.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very organized with travel logistics, safety, etc. I never worried about anything logistical because it was always taken care of.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family in Cusco and the families I got to stay with while travelling. One of the best parts of the whole experience.

* Food:

Peruvian food is great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Since we were only taking classes within the program with other students from the US, I didn't meet many Peruvian people my age. I took advantage of my host family's social lives as much as possible, but making friends in my own age range would have helped me feel a lot more integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had to go to the hospital or a clinic in Peru, but I did get food poisoning early on. Program staff was helpful and reassuring and I felt like I had the support I needed to recover.

* Safety:

You can't eliminate all possible risk, but Cusco is very safe. Keep aware of your surroundings and be careful, but I felt safe in my neighborhood and downtown.

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)

Cost of living isn't very high in Peru (given the exchange rate with USD while I was there), and travel stipends from SIT helped.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around $20 average, but much less most weeks and much more when we were on trips.

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced (literature courses)
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? Watch TV shows in Spanish with Spanish subtitles. Read newspaper articles aloud. Talk to yourself or your pets.

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
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?
  • Homestay
  • Independent study project
  • trips
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with young locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring lots of layers of clothing and plenty of sweaters.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!