Study Abroad in Peru: Why You Should Do It and How to Get Started.

When you think of study abroad, what comes to mind?

Perhaps a semester in Oxford. Or a study tour of European capitals such as Paris, Berlin and Rome. Maybe in our globalized times, you might envision learning about business and world trade in Tokyo, Shanghai or Singapore.

But chances are you’re not picturing South America generally or Peru specifically.

Yet with low cost, a pleasant climate; interesting natural environment; rich Inca, Spanish and global immigrant cultures; and world-famous cuisine, Peru should be on your short list of study abroad destinations as an American college student or professor.

A flight from Los Angeles to Lima, Peru’s capital, is only 8 ? hours, considerably shorter than destinations in either Europe or Asia. And for the adventurous, a Peruvian study abroad experience could even be combined with land travel from the U.S., since both countries share the same land mass.

USIL: Your Pathway for a Rewarding International Study Experience in Peru

Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), a private university system and research center in Peru and around the world, is a great way to have an educational experience in Peru in an enriching, supportive and dynamic environment.

Particularly for students interested in business, management, marketing, information systems, finance and related fields, USIL is an optimal institution for not only immersing oneself in local culture, but making valuable global connections that can transform the economies of both the United States and Peru.

Making use of the startup culture model popular in the Western world, USIL students who launch their own enterprises make use of USIL Ventures, which is helping create sustainable, equitable and diversified concepts and turning them into reality that benefit the global marketplace and the local labor market.

But USIL isn’t only about turning Peru into a global business hub.

The School of Hospitality Management, Gastronomy and Tourism attracts many international students who wish to learn about Peruvian cuisine and culture, while equipping resident students with the skills they need to share the riches of Peruvian identity with the world.

“USIL aims to integrate Peruvian culture with the world. We welcome more than 120 international students each year, and our academic offerings are on par with highly prestigious universities around the world, according to Ranking QS,” says Claudio Huaman de los Heros, academic director of the university’s marketing program.

“We offer cultural integration through student life activities such as culinary experiences, guided tours to museums and archaeological sites, and excursions to Peru’s three natural regions – the coast, the Andes Mountains and the jungle. At the university, we provide support and guidance to our international students to ensure a 100% satisfactory experience both academically and culturally.”

The Must-Sees When Studying Abroad in Peru

Perhaps the most iconic symbol of Peru is Machu Picchu, a 15th century Incan citadel in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru.

Lost for several centuries, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1902 and is now recognized as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Students interested in anthropology, archaeology, architecture, the humanities and history will be particularly fascinated by the remnants of this advanced culture that dominated western South America on the eve of Columbian exploration.

But students and faculty of any major are sure to be impressed and come away with a deeper appreciation for human culture and world heritage.

Machu Picchu is just one of more than 100,000 recognized archaeological sites in Peru. And it isn’t even one of the oldest.

That distinction goes to Caral, the oldest city in the Americas, dating back to 2700 B.C., an era comparable to the early civilizations of the Middle East, North Africa and East Asia.

Just south of Lima, the mysterious Nazca Lines, large line drawings believed to have been constructed more than two millennia ago by the Nazca Culture, and the Choquequirao Incan site in southern Peru that bears many similarities to Machu Picchu are other fascinating sites to experience.

Nearly 2,000 miles of coastline ensures dramatic natural beauty, including beautiful beaches and a surfing culture that may predate the more famous surf scene in Hawaii.

An omnipresent marine layer ensures comfortable – albeit often overcast – temperatures year-round in the coastal sections. Actual rain is rare as are extremes of heat or cold.

Each month, students can expect to spend about $1,000 to $1,500 U.S. dollars to cover accommodations, transportation and food, a much lower price tag than many North American and European cities.

How to Get Started on Your Peruvian Odyssey

If you are interested in integrating study abroad in Peru to your educational journey, the first step if your plans are part of a U.S.-based degree program is to reach out to the Study Abroad office at your university.

In addition to guided study tours, many students choose independent opportunities and gain credit for the classes they take abroad.

Or, if you are interested in Peru being the centerpiece of your higher education, you might consider studying at USIL for your entire degree program.

For more information, follow USIL on Facebook and Instagram at USILInternational.