Peruanísimo! Past Review

By (Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General., Brandeis University) - abroad from 03/04/2013 to 07/15/2013 with

IFSA: Lima - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained fluency in Spanish (a lifelong goal), made many connections, both professional and personal, and experienced a world so alike and different from my own. I made another home

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Lali is wonderful. She's very helpful, and incredibly hard working. She always takes time for the students, and makes sure to get to know them on a personal level.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family treated me like a long lost son. I couldn't love them more.

* Food:

It was Peruvian food, you can't go wrong (unless you don't like fish).

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues to deal with, except for getting a vaccination, which was very simple.

* Safety:

Lima is a city, so you need to be smart, but Miraflores and San Isidro, the neighborhoods where we all lived, are the safest neighborhoods. I felt fine walking around them at night.

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)

Latin America easily trumps Europe in this respect, it's so much cheaper. Plus, you can negotiate the price of lots of things.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40-50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? fight prices down in places where that is the custom. Don't accept the gringo price.

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

We were basically required to only speak Spanish in group settings. And the program staff would only speak English in emergencies.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 5th semester
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? Don't speak English. Talk to lots of people. Go to a bar, people are chatty there.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Staff and Family
  • Immersion aspect
  • Trips to beautiful places
* What could be improved?
  • More classes with Peruvians
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I was happy with how I entered.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'