Details

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

1. Preparation

In the first place, I went to an information event provided by our uni. Based on that, I had a general overview of what is important and, e.g., how the mobility scholarship works. My second step was going to the International Office website to read the reports from previous exchange students for the destinations I also took into account. Last but not least, I wrote an email to a WU student who had already been in Lima for further advice. This was my preparation related to the uni. Regarding my general stay in South America, I checked on a website from the government which vaccinations I need for Peru and trips in South America. In case you don't get them at home on time, our uni has an ordination and offers, e.g., yellow fever vaccinations.

2. Accommodation

I looked up on TikTok what favorable areas to live in are. Additionally, I checked the reports, which said the same. So I would recommend Miraflores - that's where we lived. Barranco is also recommendable. Therefore, I went to Lima with two friends from Cologne; we didn't check for student housing. Instead, we looked up apartments on AirBnB, where we finally found one in the middle of Miraflores over two floors and a big rooftop terrace for only 400 EUR each. The host even was German, so we had a good relationship with him. To sum that up, I highly recommend AirBnB when you know the people you are going with together. Otherwise, student housing is probably very nice when you go alone, so you have immediately company.

3. Academic life at host university

Studying at UP in Lima is very laid-back in comparison to Vienna. With 15 hours effort a week including already the lectures I achieved an excellent grade in every course. In-class participation is required fort that though. Then I would recommend to select many onlince classes so you are more independent for your travel plans within or outside from Peru. Courses like digital product design and global branding I would recommend for good grades and less effort.

5. Every day life in the host country

Cost of living extended: Daily llife was very cheap, we always took an uber to uni for 5EUR for a 45 minutes drive and if you go together with friends, you can share the price of course. For lunch we always had a two course meal for 4 EUR which you can get in local restaurats. I would try many of them, are mostly better than they look from the outside. Especially, Pollo Brosta and lomo saltado are very good. Club entry is for europeans or with certain access codes provided by the uni mostly for free. In the club beer is around 3EUR and Cocktails 7.5EUR. Music is very much Raeggeton tough. We travelled a lot though these were our highest expenses. Within Peru flights are below 100EUR, I even flew from Lima to Cusco for 13EUR. Outisde from Peru you mostly spend 200EUR+ for both ways together. In total, I paid 10.000 EUR for 4 month, including two weeks Costa Rica upfront. This high amount was mainly driven by flights and stays outside of Peru, we flew to Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and New York and this were great trips I really recommend but of course expensive. Everyday life: Every day life was relatively chill in Lima but also not to exciting. In the morning we always had classes, afterwards we went to gym then had lunch and after that three hours in between lunch and dinner which we spent freely. Sometimes we played Padel, went surfing or played cards in a bar at the corner. At the weekend we went out at least one time. Mostly went to Casona club there are many different floors wit different music but the area is not the safest so make sure to get immediatley from the uber to club. A few phones got stolen on night outs. Within Miraflores whether ist day or night, we never had any saftey concerns. It was not even close. But of course always pay attention in case. For bars I would highly recommend bars and hostels in Barranco. Especially Travajero Hostel for pre game. Uber is very cheap as you might notice already so you take an Uber for every kind of transoprt. Traffic is terrible though.

6. Testimonial

Actually we spent Monday to Wednesday lliving in Lima doing our classes and traveld the other part oft he week. I really recommend doing this becasue Peru and South America is much more exciting than Lima.