A Journey Through Peru Past Review
By Darla C (Diplomacy and World Affairs, Occidental College) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/08/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
I grew academically as well as personally from this experience. It was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
The courses were interesting and insightful. Although at times tough, the academics were manageable, especially due to the way in which the program spaced out each assignment. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the staff were extremely amazing and supportive. Each of them took time to try to assist us in whatever manner possible, whether that be academically, or in relation to becoming accustomed to living in a new environment. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of my favorite things about my study abroad experience. They always did whatever they could to accommodate me and support. They truly became members of my family. |
| * Food: |
Peruvian food is great, you can always find something yummy to eat at a restaurant or even in the streets. The food is also very affordable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with local culture, however part of it is due to the fact that I am actually Peruvian and lived there during my childhood. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health issues were addressed well throughout the program, there was a doctor through SIT which could be accessed if needed. However, many of the health issues the majority of students had were the occasional food poisoning, therefore it often just needed to go away on its own. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe throughout the program. All the places that we visited were calm and safe, the program also warned us about any areas which could potentially be dangerous. As always, it is best to explore with friends, however, whenever I was alone, I felt completely safe because I brought pepper spray from the U.S. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The academic experience was extremely experience, especially due to the fact that we often got to apply and or learn more about what we discussed through field based experiences. The research component, although hard, was extremely rewarding at the end, and I will be likely using it to turn into my thesis. Aside from the academic aspects, the friends that I made were amazing, I had a great relationship with my host family, and I will never forget all the beautiful places we got to visit. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It was very easy to survive on a student budget. The conversion rate from U.S. to Peru was pretty good throughout my time abroad so I was able to eat out and go on personal trips aside from the ones the program offered fairly easily. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10-30$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Unless you are planning on buying a lot of clothes while abroad, I suggest bringing all the clothing that you will need so that you can spend more money on food and trips rather than shopping for clothes that you did not bring. |
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 |
We were always encouraged to talk in Spanish. It was very clear to see the improvement that people made from the beginning of the program to the end of the program. |
| 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? | One year of college Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk in Spanish whenever possible, it is the best way to learn. |
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? | I would change the packing list that was provided by the program. I knew what things to bring due to the fact that I have family in Peru who advised me, however, I know some students which they had packed differently. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
