A new second home-- Cusco, Peru Past Review

By (HISTORY., University of Southern Maine) - abroad from 05/20/2012 to 07/01/2012 with

ISA Study Abroad in Cusco, Peru

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. As much as I learned about Latin American, and more specifically Peruvian culture, I think I learned the most about myself. When I was placed in a foreign country sans friends, family, and my entire support system, I learned how important my social network is, and how to make greater humanitarian connections with people through cultural and linguistic differences.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Only Centro Tinku
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

A ton of starches, potatoes and rice as side dishes are commonly used in the same meal. Prepare to eat potatoes endlessly, but luckily Peruvians have been cooking them in a variety of ways for thousands of years, so they're still yummy!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The economy is based on tourism, almost entirely. That being said, as a gringa it's extremely hard to form genuine connections with local people on the street without having to partake in some of the cornier aspectsof tourism. I was weary of how to participate in tourism without exploiting the local people. Friends and family members of host families were great local cultural connections.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Better than in the US. I had a mild lung infection, and there was a doctor at my bedside an hour after he had been called. The doctors prescribe more meds down there than I was used to up here, but I was healthy in no time and felt well cared for and safe.

* Safety:

I live in Portland, Maine and I felt just as safe in Cusco, Peru.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

It was definitely easy to live cheaply, but I made the decision to spend a little more money here and there and do some independent travel. I spent about $150-$200 a week and lived better than I do at home.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150-$200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take out cash on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule and once it's gone, it's gone. Also, if possible try not to think like a cheap college kid all the time, you don't want to have to have dollar signs flying through your head the entire time you're abroad.

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

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? SPA 202
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? ALWAYS speak the language. Make a pact with your English speaking housemates/classmates to only speak in the foreign language, even if you're only amongst each other.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My host family
  • Planned excursions
* What could be improved?
  • the foreign language speaking requirement needs to be better enforced between American students/
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I loved my time in Peru. I loved the opportunities and planning that the program provided, but I discovered along the way I'm not a program person and probably would've benefitted more from independent travel. I wish I had known that I would be with the same group of 25 Americans everyday who were more excited to be out of their parents' watch than immersed in a foreign culture.