Peru: The Land of Many Possibilities Past Review
By Edgar Payano (Sewanee: The University of the South) - abroad from 08/21/2016 to 12/04/2016 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
Absolutely. You are constantly learning about yourself and your surroundings. In addition, it is more than a vacation. Most days good ones but you live there long enough to where your emotions may go through some hardship. THIS IS OKAY. These moments help you realize what it is you need to do to help yourself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program focuses on two big topics (indigenous peoples and globalization) and as such, you are given tools and many perspectives to find a comprehensive understanding. The end of the semester is exciting because you are given an opportunity to pursue a serious interest/passion. |
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) |
The program offers a small budget for expenses such as transportation and food. This helped immensely. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be honest with yourself. If you know you like to buy souvenirs and spend lavishly, then bring enough money to do so. However, if you know you are tight with money, the little that you do bring plus the small fund they give you for food and transportation should have you feeling comfortable. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I am a native spanish speaker so conversing in class and casually was very fun for me but it can be difficult when others are still developing their language ability. In addition, you do take a 3 week Quechua class, which is where many people learn the basics. As such, conversational Quechua is not very possible because it is a short class. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 but I had never taken a Quechua class. |
| 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? | Try speaking Spanish even when you are uncomfortable or aren't able to find the exact words. By trying to over this language barrier, you will find new ways of expressing yourself. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | How useful Quechua will be when making friendships and/or having informants when conducting your research project |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
