Details

• Peru
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Before submitting your final application, it is incredibly important to do thorough research and honestly evaluate which city and culture align best with your personal expectations and goals. Rather than just focusing on well-known university names, you should closely examine where you will genuinely feel most comfortable and thrive for a few months. Once you receive your acceptance, I highly recommend getting in touch with WU students who have already spent a semester there. This firsthand exchange is invaluable. It allows you to clarify the most important questions regarding accommodation, food, nightlife, and the actual course workload well in advance from someone who has just experienced it. A crucial factor for a smooth and stress-free start is securing a place to live. I cannot stress enough how important it is to start your housing search early. Finding accommodation from abroad can be quite challenging depending on the city, so starting well ahead of time saves a lot of frustration and ensures you get the best options available.

2. Accommodation

When it comes to the type of housing, exchange students in Lima generally choose between two main options. Many students opt for large student residences (coliving houses), and I have heard nothing but positive feedback from those who did—it’s a fantastic way to meet people right away. Personally, I chose to book an Airbnb with a group of friends, which was incredibly relaxed and comfortable. It ultimately depends on your personality type, but if you prefer a calmer environment over constant hustle and bustle, sharing a private apartment is a great choice. Fortunately, Airbnbs in Lima are very affordable and offer excellent value for money. Location, safety, and proximity to the university There are essentially two main geographic choices: living right next to the university campus or living in Miraflores. I would absolutely recommend choosing Miraflores. It is by far the safest district in the city, meaning you can walk around comfortably without having to constantly worry about safety. Additionally, this is where the vast majority of daily life happens. The neighborhood is packed with incredible restaurants, cafes, and bars, making your day-to-day social life much more vibrant. Since you typically only have classes a few days a week anyway, prioritizing a lively and secure neighborhood over immediate proximity to campus is definitely worth it.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus, facilities, and student infrastructure The university campus is incredibly modern and offers an outstanding student infrastructure. One of the absolute highlights is the excellent campus gastronomy, featuring a great variety of high-quality food options and dining spots that make spending time on campus between classes very enjoyable. Course structures, teaching methodologies, and workload The teaching style is highly interactive and relies heavily on group work. I found this collaborative approach to be a really cool experience at times, as it allows you to connect closely with different students. However, it can also be quite intense and demanding, depending entirely on the dynamics and commitment of your assigned group. The workload and format can vary significantly since there are very different course types available. Notably, the university offers the option to take certain courses entirely online, which is a massive advantage if you plan to do some traveling during the semester, as it gives you a lot of flexibility. Course recommendations If you are looking for engaging yet manageable courses with a strong international community, I highly recommend the following modules: Digital Product Design Family Business Global Branding All three courses have a relatively relaxed atmosphere and attract a large number of exchange students, making them perfect for networking and balancing your academic life with your exchange experience.

5. Every day life in the host country

While public buses are available as a transit option, they are often extremely crowded and journeys can take a significant amount of time due to traffic. Because of this, my friends and I exclusively used ride-sharing services like Uber. Uber is highly reliable, efficient, and incredibly affordable in Lima, making it the most convenient way to get around the city daily. Throughout my entire exchange semester, I felt completely safe and never experienced a single moment of insecurity. Naturally, safety conditions can change if you venture into the far outskirts of the city, but within the central districts like Miraflores, Barranco, and the areas surrounding the university campus, I found the environment to be very secure and comfortable to walk around in. For sports and fitness, I primarily focused on working out at local gyms and playing padel, which has a great community scene here. Additionally, the host university does an excellent job of organizing weekly sports events, such as football and volleyball tournaments, which are fantastic for staying active and meeting other students. If you enjoy electronic music, you are in for a treat, as international electronic and tech-house DJs frequently tour Peru and play amazing sets here. Finally, a major highlight I highly recommend to any incoming student is attending a match at a local football stadium. The sheer passion, energy, and atmosphere in a South American stadium is a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Lima was an unforgettable journey, made truly special by the city's incredible gastronomy, vibrant culture, and affordable lifestyle. Serving as a perfect travel hub, its location allowed me to easily explore stunning destinations across Latin America while creating a great balance between academics and travel. Ultimately, it was the mix of safe, lively neighborhoods like Miraflores, a highly modern campus, and unique cultural highlights—like South American football matches and a thriving electronic music scene—that made this experience absolute paradise.