Peru- Where I learned more than just Spanish. Past Review
By Andrea C (Spanish Language and Literature., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for
SUNY Geneseo: Cusco - Spanish Language and Culture Studies
It was amazing! I learned not only a lot of Spanish obviously, but a lot about myself even. My outlook on my future has changed for the better. Peru is such a humbling country, and I have realized that I can do anything, especially just by looking at how the people live there.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything was amazing! The professors were really helpful and encouraging. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It was an incredible experience, and I learned so much more than just what you'd learn in a classroom setting. The people in Peru were so warm, friendly and helpful. They loved to help improve your Spanish and even encouraged you- from professors to even the locals. |
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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? |
I was treated as family in my host family. They always tried to talk to me to force me to learn, but yet in a helpful, warm matter. Anything I needed they provided absolutely over the top- I could borrow things I forgot to pack, I could ask for directions to anywhere, and even change the channel on TV while they were watching it. |
| * Food: |
Delicious! Absolutely no complaints! |
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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: |
A bit scary, but it's just like if you were back in the US in a city. Use your street smarts and you will be fine. Walk with a friend at night, split a cab with someone close by, don't carry a lot of valuable things while walking around etc. |
| 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 talked a lot with my host family, and because they had an ear for English speaking students learning Spanish, they could understand why I made the mistakes I did and what I was trying to say. I could easily interact with the locals and strike up conversations. Some were trying to learn English, which was really helpful, so we could learn from each other and help out one another. |
| 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? | Be open minded. You're paying for this program to not only learn language, but the culture and everything there, which WILL be Different than what you are used to. Be open minded, not just for yourself, but out of respect for the culture and the country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Literature of Hispanic America |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Professor Alberto |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The professor was really awkward and wasn't as helpful as I would've preferred. He seemed cold and didn't provide constructive criticism to improve my Spanish. Having classes with him seemed long and painful, and he appeared that he didn't want to be there at times. Overall the class was a lot more challenging than it needed to be because of his way of teaching. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Literature of Hispanic America |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Professor Rebeca |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | I would absolutely recommend this professor instead of Alberto. She is the exact opposite- warm, inviting, and helpful. She loves to teach and you can see her passion in wanting to help other students. Because of her enthusiasm, the class wasn't too challenging, but I still learned a lot, and my Spanish improved greatly in conversation, writing, and reading. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
