Be Wary! Past Review
By Lone T (Skidmore College) - abroad from 02/25/2019 to 06/09/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
I gained a new family which is the best! I still keep in touch with my host mom to this day and can't wait to visit her again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This is a very hard program that will challenge you mentally. The readings on average were 20+ pages and completely in Spanish. Some professors are really passionate like my Spanish teacher and others it seems like they were just there for the paycheck. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Unfriendly, unhelpful and unorganized. But if you are a person who can deal with the punches, I wish you luck! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was the absolute best part of this program! I honestly would this program over again with all it's downfalls just to be back with my host family. They were the absolute best! |
| * Food: |
The food in Cusco is overall delicious. You have to get anticucho whenever and wherever. Take advantage of all the cheap and yummy food while you're there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had class everyday with only people on the program. I wish we took class at the local university so we could have met more Peruvian students. When we traveled, it was more of a cultural experience; however it was pretty superficial. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was sick for a good 2 months and went to a doctor where I was given a home remedy of reduced onion and garlic juice with sugar. Only got more sick after that. |
| * Safety: |
Cusco is a very safe city! Just like every where you go, be conscious and aware of your surroundings. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Although there were good times, the number of bad times outweighed the good ones. |
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) |
Cusco is a very cheap city! One month, I lived on $40 (120 soles). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 (100) more or less |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and eat with your host family during every meal! |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| 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 talk talk with your host family! They are the best place to practice your Spanish and to learn about their culture. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | In Cusco you experience summer, fall, spring and winter all in one day so bring warm clothes with you for winter. |
