Details

• Peru
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Spanish course! Key for connecting with locals and your environment while travelling! At ESAN you can choose full online schedule, for people who want to be completely independent and more than in Peru I would definitely recommend, for me perfect balance was one time a week presence classes in university, choose your schedule wisely! But be aware that courses can be not teached due to whatever reason, so be flexible and have plan B. But schedule matters!

2. Accommodation

I tried to avoid big exchange students housing but that's a way to go. Otherwise it's easy on AirBNB, other websites like Adondevivir quite difficult as the stay is just half a year and irregular time for landlords. For first time living with a family can be as well interesting to get to know the country and all of it whats behind, but longer than one or two months could be cramped. Surco, near university is perfect: quiet, safe and the greenest district of Lima. La Molina as well near and has more sun! That's a big plus in Lima! Miraflores very far away and quite touristy, but many people like it apparently. Consider traffic, as bus systems needs time to be understood and taxi every time can be expensive over long time. If you understand bus system it was the way to go for me, it's safe, people are friendly and help you out! If you use taxis, InDrive is a cheaper alternative, in Lima and big cities it's safe!

3. Academic life at host university

Big green campus! Try to get into some "deportes", student activities like sports. You can check out as well other campus's, which are bigger and have more activities. Nice food at canteen, but as well around good cheap restaurants, as well one Palestinian Country Club, only with reservation via WA, but best shawarma in town and friendly environment! ;) Group work dominated teaching style almost in every course. Professor given lectures, student group work based on that afterwards. Communication can be irritating and frustrating due to different work and communication styles. Try delegate tasks clearly and direct. Workload very manageable, when being efficient, especially with certain tools, but can get really monotonous and with no great learning outcomes.

5. Every day life in the host country

Try to get in public transportation bus system, it's cheaper and much more an authentic experience. Grabbing a bike is also an option, but you really have to want it. Traffic is a real chaos, so try to find the best balance for you between nice district with fun activities and not too far distance from uni, especially when you have a lot of presence classes. Cause classes are starting pretty early, like 7.30am, so with a way of one hour or even more that can be annoying. For Taxi Uber or InDrive, which is cheaper, are fine and safe. Lima is pretty safe! Outside in the Selva (Jungle) can be more criminal activity, especially on the roads and buses. Be aware and cautious and you shoulb be fine. Maximum what could happen is your phone is gone. So bring a second one! ;) Lima offers a lot of activities like, surfing, volleyball or tennis. Many clubs where student are meeting for activities in university. Like in every big city lots of events, concerts! Try really to connect with Peruvian students which can tell you what is where happening, that's key!

6. Testimonial

Lima and Peru is a good destination! Spanish is spoken without any huge dialect so for learning the language! So learn Spanish ahead of your trip! Food is amazing! Try to get as most as you can! Wheater can be quite depressing, cause there's for months literally no sun and sky is grey. Sports, making trips in and around other countries can really help! Equipment for hikes or other stuff you'll get as well in Lima or your destinations! Buy a good Reiseführer! ;)) Transportation is a chaos, try to find a nice borrow, inform yourself where to live! Really get into organising a nice schedule for uni, as that is key how you will spend your time, rather its online or presence, you'll have lots of options.