Honestly a once in a lifetime opportunity Past Review

By (Latin American Studies., Tulane University) - abroad from 08/26/2013 to 12/08/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think the biggest gain from the program was the ISP experience of doing original research immersed in the topic and culture that I was studying. It boosted my confidence in operating in Spanish. Made great friends. Worthwhile.

Review Photos

SIT Peru: Indigenous Peoples & Globalization Photo SIT Peru: Indigenous Peoples & Globalization Photo SIT Peru: Indigenous Peoples & Globalization Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes done with SIT in the first 3 months are not necessarily as academically rigorous as a home university. The academic rigor comes in during the ISP period, which is the last month of the program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As an island program, you do take classes with other extranjeros. How integrated you get with the locals and the culture is more up to the individual motivation. The excursions do do a good job of facilitating interaction with local cultures.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

DId not have an experience with the health care. Yellow Fever and Typhoid vaccines are required.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Cusco, taking cabs, walking around by myself. I did not have any incidents with safety while I was there.

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)

I spent far less money living in PerĂº than I do in the USA. Transportation is almost always under 2 dollars to wherever in the city. If you find the right places any three course meal can be under 6 dollars.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? <30 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat in touristy places very often. Walk.

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? 3250
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? IT"S UP TO YOU. It's easy to speak English as you are studying with a group from the USA. Try and make local friends and practice your castellano as much as possible. It's worth it, I promise.

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

  • 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?
  • ISP
  • Excursions
  • Closeness of the group
* What could be improved?
  • Language Usage
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's so easy to travel around Cusco on the weekends while you are there. Take advantage of it and go on hikes and trips.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

ISP

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Such a valuable experience doing independent research, operating in the native language, and learning about a topic of your choice.
Credit Transfer Issues: