A Semester of Life-Giving Community, Connection and Spanish in Cusco, Peru August 05, 2025
By Catie M (Sociology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/18/2025 to 06/03/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
Absolutely, definitely worthwhile. I gained confidence and humor, and a flexibility with plan changes and cultural differences. I learned so much about ecotourism, ecotheology, and what I'm passionate about.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Quite disorganized in some ways, very rigid in others. Not much consistency with lecturers because our units focused mainly around visiting professors. That said, there were some truly amazing speakers and experts in indigenous history and resistance in Peru, and opportunities to practice Spanish unlike I'd ever had before. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Was not completely satisfied with accommodations procedures, and the lack of clarity in packing/preparatory communications and materials. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was far and away the very best part of this experience. I am forever grateful for the connection I had with them. |
| * Food: |
Not many vegetables, but delicious overall! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not many opportunities to befriend locals, but through cafe culture and the gym, I did still feel part of the community. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Other students had different experiences, but I felt very supported in sickness I had, and had ample access to pharmacies. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe and supported - Cusco had a lovely, friendly vibe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My Spanish is worlds different, and I came out of this program re-energized to jump into justice issues at home. My faith in my own resilience grew, and I made incredible friends and connection. |
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) |
Depends on how much you want to spend! But overall, coffee was cheap, meals were delicious and inexpensive, and it was quite affordable to live in Cusco. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set aside a "gift fund" for parents and friends back home, and prioritize travel expenses by budgetting when you are at home/in your host city! |
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 |
ALL the time! |
| 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? | Spanish 275 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just always, always be in it - speaking, writing, thinking, journalling. Even outside of the classroom, make it your go-to language! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | It will be extremely different academically than Wellesley. It will be, still, very rigorous. It will be so, so worth it. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
