Study Abroad in Peru! Past Review

By (Spanish, Religion, Luther College) for

ISA Study Abroad in Lima, Peru

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I studied abroad to learn Spanish, and my semester in Lima gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in Spanish by living with a host family and taking classes in Spanish. I came away with a lot more confidence in my Spanish-speaking ability. It was so rewarding to be able to make connections with people and communicate in Spanish. It was also an opportunity to growth, as I had to learn quickly and adjust to a different culture. Sometimes I felt lost or confused, but I learned how to continue forward in these instances. I now feel so much more independent. In my last month, I traveled to Calafate, Argentina (Patagonia) alone, something I never would have considered doing before my experience. I encourage everyone to study abroad, and Peru is a great place to do it.

Review Photos

International Studies Abroad (ISA): Lima - Spanish Language & Courses in English with Peruvian Students Photo International Studies Abroad (ISA): Lima - Spanish Language & Courses in English with Peruvian Students Photo International Studies Abroad (ISA): Lima - Spanish Language & Courses in English with Peruvian Students Photo International Studies Abroad (ISA): Lima - Spanish Language & Courses in English with Peruvian Students Photo

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.

The classes were all in Spanish and met twice a week for 1 1/2-2 hours. The style was lecture, so at times it was boring or difficult to follow, but the experience overall was good. I was able to get good grades and talk with my professors when needed.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff was incredible - so friendly and helpful. They exceeded my expectations. I felt very taken care of in Peru by ISA.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with an amazing host family. My host mom and empleada, Magda, treated me like family, taking me around the city and throwing me a birthday party. I lived in a great neighborhood, about a 25 minute walk to the university and close to public transportation and a grocery store. I especially liked that I lived close to the ocean and popular running paths.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The trips were fantastic and some of my best memories of the time abroad. The most memorable trips were to Cusco/Machu Picchu and Nazca/Ica/Paracas. These trips were very well-planned and organized!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had no problem with safety. I was in an area where I could walk home from class at night and never had a frightening incident. It is important, however, to always be aware of your surroundings and keep track of your personal items. There is a lot of sexual harassment, which is mostly harmless.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I could practice my language with my host family, in classes, around Lima, and when I traveled. I rarely spoke English with Peruvians and needed to use Spanish in my daily interactions.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Peru is a wonderful place to study abroad, and I encourage it as a destination for anyone considering studying in a Spanish-speaking country. Lima is a wonderful city, and the people are welcoming and gracious. I had a wonderful experience living with a host-family and learned a lot from my experiences and classes. There is also a lot to see in Peru - a lot of history. I can also wholeheartedly recommend ISA as a study abroad program; they exceeded my expectations.