Cusco, Peru: A Summer of Wonder Past Review
By Brianna D (Secondary Ed. Math, University of Maine - Farmington) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Cusco - Summer in Cusco
I would go back right now if I could. This experience has just made me want to travel even more. It also made me a more confident and independent person.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
In Peru the grading system is all out of 20 instead of 100 but it wasn't hard to adjust to. I went during the summer and took 2 classes, a Spanish class and an Art and Design. I had had a lot of Spanish language experience and so that class wasn't hard at all, there were only 6 people in the class but we had it everyday for 3 hours. My art class was only 2 hours everyday and there were only 2 people in it. We went on walks around the city and also got to go to a traditional peruvian pottery studio where I spun and painted 2 pieces. There wasn't much of a workload but there was a midterm and final that was a major part of the grade. Both my teachers spoke very good English and especially my Spanish teacher was very fun. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program size was very small and I loved that. CIS has a partner right there in Cusco who picks you up at the airport, organizes trips, answers any questions and helps you with everyday life. I was extremely thankful since my luggage got lost and he call/went to the airport everyday to get it back. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was awesome. We had laundry service, a kitchen, a room which we shared with a roommate as well as a bathroom for every 2 people. Cookware was provided as well as sheets and towels, we also had housekeeping M/W/F. It was 5 minutes from the University and 10 minutes from the main square. We were able to walk pretty much everywhere we wanted, which was good since there is no public transit except super small buses, taxis are plentiful. |
| * Food: |
The food was okay. There was a lot of international fare but peruvian food is a lot of meat and potatoes. Another specialty in Cusco is guinea pig which was interesting. Fruits are quite plentiful down there though. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Within the program cost we were provided with a tour of the sacred valley as well as an overnight trip to Machu Picchu. These were all organized for us and it went smoothly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe while in Cusco. Just like anywhere though you need to watch your stuff in crowds. Be careful with what you eat and definitely don't drink the water always buy bottled water. The altitude can be a big problem since you're in the middle of the Andes mountains but it wasn't a problem for me. A couple of people got sick but they were taken to a local clinic by our leader and everything was taken care of. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most of the people at the University spoke English as well as my peers because they were all from the states. That being said not everyone in the city of Cusco speak English. I need my Spanish language skills everyday to interact with the people at our hotel, markets as well as restaurants. |
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 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? | If you're looking for something different this is the program for you! Europe is full of international students as well as tourists. There were less tourists in Cusco but it was still possible to meet people from other countries. I was able to go to the Amazon, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the South Valley, Moray and the salt mines. Travel was hard since you're in the Andes and their road system isn't the greatest. But there was plenty to see in and around Cusco. I loved being there and would go back in a heart beat. If you're going to push yourself to study in a complete new country why not have it be in the heart of South America and work on you're Spanish skills. |
