Details

• Peru
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Book flights early. They can be quite expensive. Also on the way back you HAVE TO book a flex ticket. I'd recommend the full flex of KLM since you can even change the departure place and not just the date. Try to pack as little as possible, you will not need a lot and you will likely want to take a lot of things back home.

2. Accommodation

You don't need to live close to the university. Taxis are super cheap and if you choose your courses we'll you only have to be present on 2 or 3. Choose something in Jesus Maria, Surco or Barranco. Miraflores usually is quite overpriced. To the edges of Miraflores district is also fine. I had to move due to mold and Peruvians are not keep on refunding anything, even if it is rightfully yours. So be careful what you pay and when.

3. Academic life at host university

Courses are rather relaxed, especially the main courses are not as hard as at WU. The electives on the other hand can be challenging in a good way. Deadlines are strict and the campus is very cute and small.

5. Every day life in the host country

*Personal experience, yours might differ* Although the media might tell you how insecure Peru and South America is that is not the case. In general I have experienced south America is split into 3 parts: Nice, poor and countryside. Nice is turistic and just nice places. The biggest threat is people stealing your phone in a club or buying things for 3x the actual price because of the special "discount" to foreigners. Poor is the actual dangerous part, imagine the Brazilian Favela. Just don't go there, ever. But you know instantly where those areas are and can avoid them if you have some common sense. Never had a problem with keeping out of dangerous neighbourhoods. On the countryside are the nicest, most hospitable and kindest people. No crime, nothing (except for foreigners "discount"). Just chilling and enjoying beautiful nature. In general speaking spanish is somewhat necessary since most people do not speak any English or other languages. Your Spanish does not have to bee good in any way. Most of the times just saying individual nouns can get people excited about how "great" your Spanish is. If you speak a bit more pluently you can also avoid the special "discount" most of the time.

6. Testimonial

The people here make everything a blast. If you know a bit of Spanish (or learn it here like I did) and can avoid the most touristy areas you are in for a treat. Great parties, amazing surfing and good friends all the time. Also South America is a region where you need to talk to people to get information. There are no signs or billboards, just word of mouth. Taxi drivers usually can tell you the best spots to explore.