SIT Peru Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/11/2016 to 12/03/2016 with

SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile I saw amazing places and met very cool people gained a lot of perspective and improved my spanish a lot.

Personal Information

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.

the workload was significantly less than my regular university workload however this was a good thing as the language barrier made the work more difficult and this allowed time for exploring cusco.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I am vegetarian and had no problems at all just be clear at the beginning.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Don't have many local friends but by the end did not feel like a tourist anymore

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Most people get a stomach thing I did too if you go to the doctor it's usually fine you just take cipro or something but if you put it off and let it get bad like I did and have to miss school the program isn't super understanding.

* Safety:

Cusco is pretty safe especially if the safety guidelines they give out at orientation are followed.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

it let us experience and talk to people in indigenous communities in varied and remote locations which is something that is hard to find in another program.

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 $600 during the entire program including christmas gifts for my whole family. You will receive small stipends for the trips and independent study.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? maybe $10
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? haggle

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? Beginner
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? 104
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? talk in spanish with other students

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • trips/feildwork
  • host families
  • mango&avocado&thebus
* What could be improved?
  • lecutures
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? always have toilet paper

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.