Study, Volunteer, and Travel in Cusco: Life Changing Past Review
By Andrew F (International Relations/Environmental Policy, Drake University) for
IPSL: Peru - Environmental Justice, Indigenous Health and Human Rights
I learned how to live in a new culture, I became much more patient after volunteering at a clinic here in Cusco, and I gained many new skills and experiences.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad San Igancio de Loyola |
| 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. |
workload-much less severe than home university grading system- fine teaching methods-some teachers were first time teachers and they were not prepared -much more laid back here |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The leaders at the school were great, helped with everything. But the administration in Lima were very inflexible with everything and I think they forgot we were all international students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with host family and it was great. Very helpful and hospitable, no complaints whatsoever. The night life in Cusco is great. |
| * Food: |
Be careful with street food, but host family meals were great and there are many great restaurants here in Cusco. Very cheap, too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cusco is full of them. Also, the teachers loved to take students on field trips, one of the best parts of USIL. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe city, safer than most cities in the US. Health insurance was included in the program and it was very good insurance. The student advisor at our school (Cristian)was great and would always accompany students to the hospital when needed. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | International Student card- $10 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
-live with a host family -speak spanish with your friends |
| 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 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? | A student that is open to new things and wants to have a meaningful experience abroad. |
