UNIVERSIDAD SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA

PERU

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Semester in Lima

Semester in Cusco

Summer in Cusco

Culinary Arts programs

Customized programs

Faculty-led programs ORIENTATION The following information is intended to provide guidelines on all the international programs offered by Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in Lima and Cusco. The purpose is to provide international students, visiting faculty, and any other international guests with information regarding academics, housing, the city, and other useful information.

I. WELCOME

1. TO FACULTY Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL) is honored to have the best faculty in the country and abroad and it has worked hard to find the most suitable teachers for its programs in Lima and Cusco. USIL is an organization focused on the educational development of both its faculty and students, and is always open to helping its teaching staff in whatever they may need. Please feel free to contact the academic staff any time you wish for any kind of support. Our ‘open door’ policy works for everyone and you are always welcome to discuss any issue related to the program. If you are a faculty member from Lima, Cusco or from any other city in Peru or abroad, we again express our gratitude to you for accepting the responsibility of teaching in one of the most important USIL programs and sharing your knowledge with others. If you are a visiting professor or tutor, please accept our warm welcome to USIL.

2. TO STUDENTS Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL) was the first Peruvian university to become international with programs specially designed for students from all over the world. No other university in Peru has such a large number of international students and our staff will always be willing to provide personalized attention to assist you at any time. Once again, welcome to Peru, welcome to Lima or Cusco, and welcome to USIL! If you will be studying in Cusco, you will experience the best time in one of the most important cities in South America and see the country’s most important landmark, which is now one of the New

Seven Wonders of the World: the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. If you will be studying in Lima, you will find that the capital of Peru is the culinary capital of Latin America. Lima’s colonial architecture has led to its recognition by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and the city is the only South American capital on the Pacific Ocean. USIL has welcomed students from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, the United States, Canada, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, Iceland, India, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, China, Korea, Japan, Australia, and more, and is proud to have you here in Peru.

II. THE UNIVERSITY 1. DESCRIPTION

In Lima, USIL has four main campuses located in residential areas where undergraduate and graduate students take different programs. USIL has 26 academic programs and over 8,000 local students enrolled in 2012. The campuses have a library, a restaurant, pastry shop, WiFi throughout, academic services, sports areas, a social responsibility office, and more. USIL hosts more than 450 international students per year and local faculty and students are used to having them in class. USIL also has its Culinary Arts School with different programs that amaze local and international chefs and students. The building has several demo classrooms, pastry and baking labs, and kitchens where classes are held, plus its own restaurant and pastry shop open to the public, an auditorium, and more. In Cusco, the USIL International Center (Extension Center) was created to offer different programs to local and international students in Peru’s most important city. USIL has different academic programs designed to provide education in fields such as Business, Hospitality and Tourism; Spanish as a foreign language; cultural courses such as History of the Inca Civilization and Latin American Literature; and it continues to create more customized programs. The USIL International Center belongs to the San Ignacio de Loyola Organization, which has over 40 years of experience in education with an entrepreneurial perspective that is also at the heart of all the programs designed in Cusco. Main websites:

USIL: www.usil.edu.pe

USIL International Programs: http://international.usil.edu.pe/

USIL International Facebook: facebook.com/usilinternational.peru

Culinary Arts School: http://www.usil.edu.pe/chefs/

USIL Graduate School: http://www.epg.usil.edu.pe/

San Ignacio College – Miami: http://www.sanignaciocollege.com/

Don Ignacio Restaurant: http://www.donignacio.com.pe/

Don Ignacio Residence: http://www.casadedonignacio.com

2. LOCATION LIMA In Lima, the main campus is located in the residential area of La Molina, which is very quiet and sunny. The campuses are located one block from each other.

How to get there The campuses are approximately 45 minutes to an hour by bus from the USIL residence, one hour from downtown and an hour and a half from the airport. The main avenue to get there is called Avenida Javier Prado (Javier Prado Avenue). Address: Avenida La Fontana 550 (Campus 1) / Avenida La Fontana 750 (Campus 2) La Molina Lima 12, Peru Telephone: 51 – 1 – 317-1000 (international office extension: 3220) Email: international@usil.edu.pe

CUSCO In Cusco, the USIL International Center is conveniently located in downtown Cusco, one block from the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) and the Cathedral, where all the main activities take place and where tourists and students get together. The Center is on Pampa del Castillo Street, which is parallel to Cusco’s main avenue, El Sol Avenue, and half a block from the Koricancha temple, an important landmark of the city. How to get there From the Main Square, just walk along Loreto Street (it’s an alley next to La Compañía Church) for a block, and you will find Pampa del Castillo Street. The Center is halfway down the block. From the USIL student residence (Casa de Don Ignacio), just walk down Pardo Avenue to the corner of Garcilazo Avenue and turn right. Go down Garcilazo one block and turn left on El Sol Avenue. Then walk one block and turn right on the temple of Koricancha and continue one block to the corner of Pampa del Castillo. Turn left at Pampa del Castillo and you will find the school is in the middle of the block. Address: Calle Pampa del Castillo 405 Telephone: 51 – 84 – 222211 Email: international@usil.edu.pe

AIRPORT

USIL RESIDENCE

USIL CAMPUS

3. FACILITIES

LIMA The facilities found on the two main campuses are the following:

FACILITIES BUILDING FACILITIES BUILDING

Fully equipped computer and language labs with WiFi

A Library C

Fully equipped conference rooms A, B Library (Campus 2) A

Fully equipped conference rooms (Campus 2)

A Faculty lounges A, D

Fully equipped kitchens, baking and pastry labs E, F Student lounges, study rooms A, C, D, behind Building A – 2° floor

Hotel guestroom demo classroom E Student lounges, study rooms (Campus 2)

A, next to building A, 1° floor

Wine room E Classrooms A, B, C, E, F

Auditorium E Classrooms (Campus 2) A, B

Academic Services area D Social Responsibility office Behind Building A – 2° floor

Academic Services area (for the Culinary Arts School programs)

F Sports office Behind Building A – 2° floor

Graphic design labs B Human Resources office F

TV studio C USIL International office B

Radio lab C Graduate school offices and study rooms (Campus 2)

A

Cinema lab C Psychology office D

Engineering and Architecture labs C Academic assessment office D

Don Ignacio Restaurant F Bookstore (Campus 2) Separate building

Di Patisserie – pastry shop E Cafeteria Behind Building A

Chapel (Campus 2) A Cafeteria (Campus 2) Separate building, next to the bookstore

Emergency area (clinic – called tópico) A Coliseum Separate building, behind building A

Emergency area (clinic – called tópico) – Campus 2 A Center for American Education (CAE) office

A

Psychology, Art & Design, and Education College Departments

B Engineering & Architecture College Departments

C

Administrative College Departments D Hospitality, Tourism, and Gastronomy College Departments

E

USIL INTERNATIONAL CENTER

Communications and Humanities College Departments

C Restrooms In every building

Language Department D Parking lot In Campus 1 & 2

CUSCO The USIL International Center facilities are the following:

Fully equipped classrooms with WiFi

Fully equipped computer and language lab with WiFi

Fully equipped conference room

Library

Faculty lounge

Student lounge

Emergency area

Main patio

Restrooms

4. INFOSIL Infosil is the academic system designed by USIL in order to have an electronic academic system for faculty and students. Both can see attendance records, absences, curricula, courses, schedules, grades, assignments, email, the library system, etc. Every faculty member and student has a user name and password for full access to the USIL website: www.usil.edu.pe or https://infosil.sil.edu.pe/. There is an English version for international students. This system includes all the programs in Lima and Cusco. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university if Infosil applies in the program.

5. USIL ACADEMIC REGULATIONS The USIL student body numbers around 10,000 students, and students in both Lima and Cusco are all subject to certain rules and should be aware of their rights and responsibilities. The USIL International Office will send the USIL Academic Regulation booklet to your email address or to you directly; you may also download it from the Infosil system. There is an English version for international students. You can always talk to faculty members and the USIL academic staff for further information as to which regulations apply only to Lima students or Cusco students, as well as which ones are applicable to local or international students. If an academic issue arises regarding exams, methodology, attendance, or any other related topic, try to discuss it with your instructor first. Always keep in mind that part of your experience abroad is to be open to different educational systems. Some students may not be used to attendance requirements or the evaluation system. The most appropriate way of dealing with academic issues is to discuss them with your instructor, course or program coordinator, dean (if applicable) or the academic service staff. You can also ask the International Office for guidance at any time. In the academic regulations booklet, you will find information about registration, admissions, attendance, course withdrawal, and other procedures designed for certain USIL programs. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university for program policies and procedures.

REGISTRATION FOR COURSES: For Semester in Cusco, Summer in Cusco, Spanish Immersion, Business in Peru and Latin America, Institutions in Peruvian Society, and other customized programs, students must register in advance through the USIL International Office. Students wishing to change or add courses should send an email to USIL International only during the first week of classes. Students can withdraw only from one course through USIL International or Infosil. For the Semester in Lima, the USIL International Office will be in charge of the course registration. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university for course registration policies and procedures. COURSE WITHDRAWAL: This can be done by the student through Infosil until one week after mid-term exams. If a student withdraws from a course, it will not be reflected on his/her official transcript at the end of the program. If a student does not withdraw from a course and simply fails to attend classes, the course will be shown on the student’s transcript with a failing grade. Students can withdraw only from one course through USIL International or Infosil for any program. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university for course withdrawal policies and procedures. TUTORING: Tutoring may be requested by any student by filling out a form provided by the USIL Academic Office, explaining the reasons and the topic to be covered. The session will be provided by the instructor according to his/her availability. Tutoring is free. Please check if the course is available for tutoring. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university if tutoring applies in the program. INSTRUCTORS AND COORDINATORS: Students may always request for information from instructors and coordinators directly. Coordinators are in charge of academic and activity calendars, course and instructors’ schedules, social responsibility activities, etc. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university if you will have an online tutor or an on-site professor during your program at USIL and what procedures are to follow. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Institutions in Peruvian Society program is run by the USIL Center for Social Responsibility (Alianza Social Universitaria – ASU). Activities are organized and scheduled by this office. Students will receive their activity calendars and schedules on orientation day. USIL International and ASU will be in constant communication with students regarding all social responsibility activities. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university what considerations are taken if your program includes social responsibility activities.

6. EVALUATION

The grading system in Peru is from zero (0) to twenty (20). A grade from eleven (11) to twenty (20) is a passing grade, while a grade from zero (0) to ten (10) is a failing grade. In order to gain a better understanding of this system, please see the following chart for a basic reference (please contact your home university for further detail):

GRADING SYSTEM EQUIVALENCE

Numerical grade

Letter Grade

Grade Points Explanation

19 – 20 A 4.0

Excellent 18 A- 3.7

17 B+ 3.3

16 B 3.0

Good 15 B- 2.7

14 C+ 2.3

13 C 2.0 Fair

12 C- 1.7

11 D 1.0 Low, but passing

10 or less F 0.0 Failing

The courses in the Semester in Cusco, Summer in Cusco, Spanish Immersion, Business in Peru and Latin America, and other customized programs will include the following items in the final evaluation (please verify for each course, since this can vary):

Continuous assessment (evaluations, exams, quizzes, written work, research, projects, and presentations)

Participation in class (homework, reports, oral participation, and attitude in class)

Mid-term exam

Final exam

For the Semester in Lima and Culinary Arts programs, please see the special evaluation system for each course. They may vary depending on the content, number of hours, etc. In Peru, evaluation is an important part of the learning process. At USIL, courses are content-based and competency-based. If you miss an evaluation, exam, quiz, test, mid-term exam, or final exam, you will not be allowed to make it up. However, if you miss an exam due to any health issue, please talk to your instructor or academic coordinator. The instructor cannot reschedule a make-up exam for a student who has made a trip for the purpose of tourism. Please ask your instructor about the procedures followed when a student misses an evaluation. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university if your program will use our evaluation system. If you take USIL courses, ask your home university if USIL credits are awarded and if USIL transcripts are issued.

7. ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS Attendance and punctuality are important issues for a good understanding of each course and show how committed students are to the course. For content-based courses, absences may not exceed thirty per cent (30%) and language courses such Spanish have a limit of twenty percent (20%). Instructors are to consider a student late after the first 10 minutes of class.

However, students cannot be considered late after the first half of a class or during the second hour, when students arriving late will be considered absent. We highly recommend that students arrive to class on time as a way of showing respect for their instructors and classmates. Please keep in mind that you are in a different country and that the education system may be completely different. In some countries, attendance is not mandatory and students only go for exams. In Peru, attendance is required and considered an important issue. Part of your exchange experience is to be open to new cultures and also to different education systems. Students in Faculty-led and Customized programs, please ask your own home university if this USIL attendance and tardiness policy applies. If you take USIL courses during Faculty-led and Customized programs, ask your own home university if this USIL attendance and tardiness policy applies.

8. HEALTH Every arriving student should already have international health insurance. Health and travel insurance is mandatory during the entire time of the program. Students are asked to carry their health insurance cards at all times. In Lima, most private clinics accept health insurance cards. In Cusco, some clinics accept insurance cards. If a clinic does not accept your card and you need emergency care, we recommend obtaining medical attention there, paying for it, asking for receipts, and then requesting reimbursement from your insurance provider. Please ask whether there is a clinic near your residence and if you can use your health insurance card there. It is also important to know if your insurance company has a reimbursement policy. Sometimes, some students take regular medication or require sessions with psychologists. It is important to inform the USIL office if you are undergoing any medical treatment in order to receive advice or help. In Lima, if you need an appointment with the USIL psychologist, please contact the Psychology Department (Campus 1, Building D).

MEDICAL EMERGENCY STEPS:

If an accident occurs in USIL facilities, ask for medical attention at our medical center (known as the Tópico).

If an accident occurs outside USIL facilities, immediately go to the nearest hospital or clinic.

Show your health insurance card. If it is not an emergency, clinics usually charge a fee. In an emergency, attention is given immediately.

If your health insurance card is not accepted by the clinic and medical care is required immediately, the clinic will charge. Ask for receipts and request reimbursement from your insurance provider afterward.

Public hospitals accept anyone in an emergency. We do not recommend going to a public hospital for minor health issues because of the time required to obtain attention.

If you are going to be hospitalized in a clinic that does not accept your insurance card, ask if it is possible to be transferred to a different clinic.

Following your recovery, send your receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.

9. CONTACT US Feel free to contact us at any time. We know you have come from very far away and sometimes help from close friends or relatives is not available. USIL INTERNATIONAL: international@usil.edu.pe / Skype: StudyAbroadPeru or USIL International

NAME POSITION EMAIL TELEPHONE

Mr. Ramiro Salas International Vice President rsalasb@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3230)

Ms. Dora Ballen Director of USIL International Development

dballen@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3224)

Mr. Luis Jeri Director of International Operations ljeri@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3226)

Mr. Keith Annis Coordinator of International Relations – North America

kannis@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3228)

Mr. Gonzalo Villena Academic Coordinator for International Programs

gvillena@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3229) 51-1-981180970 118*0970 (Nextel)

Mr. Miguel Pinto Coordinator of Global Alliances mpintog@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3225)

Ms. Rosmery Barreto Coordinator for Work & Study Abroad Programs

rbarreto@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3222)

Mr. Jorge Chávez Coordinator of International Relations – China

jchavezm@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3154)

Mr. Jorge Villavicencio Coordinator of the Global Leadership Skills Workshop

jvillavicencio@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3159)

Ms. Lisette Delgado Assistant ldelgado@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3220)

Ms. Milagros Alarcón Assistant malarcon@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3221)

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

NAME POSITION EMAIL TELEPHONE

Ms. Lucía Zapatero Dean of Social Responsibility Alliance (Alianza Social Universitaria – ASU)

lzapatero@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3085)

Ms. Olenka Ochoa Director of Social Responsibility Alliance (ASU)

oochoa@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3087)

Mr. Florián Condori Coordinator of Social Responsibility Alliance (ASU)

fcondori@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3087)

Ms. Wendy Fiol Director of the Culinary Arts School wfiol@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3074)

Ms. Mariana De Vinatea Academic Coordinator of the Culinary Arts School

mdevinatea@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3078)

Mr. Matthew Allen Director of the Language Department mallen@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3070)

Ms. Rebeka Cumpa Coordinator of Spanish ncumpa@usil.edu.pe 51-1-317-1000 (ext. 3212)

Mr. Cristian López Academic-Administrative Coordinator at USIL International Center - Cusco

clopezz@usil.edu.pe 51-84-22.22.11 (ext. 123*8366 (Nextel)

Mr. Luis Valverde Administrator of USIL housing – Casa Don Ignacio Cusco

lvalverde@usil.edu.pe 51-84-22.51.41

Ms. Pamela Borel Administrator of USIL housing – Casa Don Ignacio Lima

pborel@usil.edu.pe 51-1-221.65.68

CONTACT INFO

PLACE ADDRESS TELEPHONE

USIL – LIMA Av. La Fontana 550 – La Molina - Lima 00-51-1-317-1000

USIL International Center – Cusco Calle Pampa del Castillo 450 - Cusco 00-51-84-22.22.11

Casa Don Ignacio Cusco Av. Pardo 550 - Cusco 00-51-84-22.51.41

Casa Don Ignacio Lima Calle Scipión Llona 684 - Miraflores 00-51-1-221.65.68

III. HOUSING

1. DESCRIPTION USIL has its own student residences in Lima and Cusco. Casa Don Ignacio offers two possibilities for international visitors. Students may stay in fully furnished apartments in shared rooms with shared bathrooms, WiFi, cable TV, their own kitchen and living room. Students may also

choose to stay in single or double rooms with their own bathroom at a different but affordable rate. All students staying at Casa Don Ignacio have airport pickup service available to them when they arrive in or leave Lima or Cusco.

2. LOCATION LIMA Casa Don Ignacio in Lima is located in the most popular tourist area of Lima, called Miraflores. In Miraflores, you will find banks, restaurants, shops, malls, etc. 5 minutes away from the residence. Casa Don Ignacio is located 45 minutes to 1 hour from the USIL campuses. How to get there Casa Don Ignacio in Lima is one block from a main avenue, Petit Thouars Avenue, and two blocks from Arequipa Avenue. Public transportation runs along these two main avenues. From the airport, the best option is to take a taxi. It should take 45 minutes to one hour. Students who will be staying more than 5 months in our housing have airport pickup included in the cost. For students staying for a shorter time, we can make the necessary arrangements to have a taxi for you. Taxi cabs in Lima are inexpensive; a 45-minute ride from the airport might cost from US$ 15 to US$ 20. Do not pay more!

CUSCO Casa Don Ignacio in Cusco is strategically located 5 minutes from the airport, and 5 minutes by taxi or 10 minutes on foot from the Main Square, Cathedral or USIL International Center. There is a clinic next door, and shops, restaurants, ATM’s, banks, handicraft stores, and more nearby. How to get there If you are at the Main Square (in front of the Cathedral), go to corner of the square where El Sol Avenue starts. Then, just walk three blocks down El Sol Avenue to Garcilazo Avenue (on El Sol

CASA DON IGNACIO-LIMA

Ave., you will pass the Court House, banks, the Koricancha temple, the Immigration Office, and the post office). Turn right on Garcilazo Avenue (the post office is on this corner) and walk one block to Pardo Ave. and turn left. Casa Don Ignacio is halfway down the block. If you take a taxi from the airport, the fare could be between US$ 4 to US$ 5, do not pay more!!!

Address: Avenida Pardo 954 Telephone: 51 – 84 – 225141 Web site: www.casadedonignacio.com

3. USIL HOUSING REGULATIONS Casa Don Ignacio in Lima hosts hundreds of international students every year. The student residence is under the university’s responsibility and our students’ security is priority number one. Therefore, students must follow some rules that guarantee everyone a comfortable stay. Ask the manager about dos and don’ts at the student residence. Casa Don Ignacio in Cusco welcomes not only students, but also regular hotel guests. You will find different groups of guests, such as families and executives. Therefore, some important regulations must be followed for a comfortable stay. Please ask the manager about the regulations for guests staying in rooms and apartments.

CASA DON IGNACIO - CUSCO

USIL INTERNATIONAL CENTER

4. FAMILY HOMESTAY

For students who are not staying in USIL housing and have chosen to stay with a family, USIL will provide a homestay contact and the students must follow the family’s rules. All students staying with families will be picked up at the airport, either by a family agency representative or a member of your “new” family.

5. CONTACT US

NAME POSITION EMAIL TELEPHONE

Mr. Luis Valverde Administrator of USIL housing – Casa Don Ignacio Cusco

lvalverde@usil.edu.pe 51-84-22.51.41

Ms. Pamela Borel Administrator of USIL housing – Casa Don Ignacio Lima

pborel@usil.edu.pe 51-1-221.65.68

IV. COUNTRY AND CITIES

1. COUNTRY FACTS Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile

and Ecuador.

Total Area: 1,285,216 sq km

Country comparison to the World: the 20th largest country in the World (slightly smaller than Alaska.

Border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km; Brazil 2,995 km; Chile 171 km; Colombia 1,800 km; Ecuador 1,420 km.

Climate: Varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes.

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0m; Huascaran snow capped mountain 6,768 m

Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, natural gas.

Important cities: Lima (capital), Cusco, Arequipa, Ica, Trujillo, Huancayo, Puno, Iquitos, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Chiclayo.

Nationality: Peruvian (called peruanos)

Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 37%, white 15%, Afro-Peruvian, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%.

Languages: Spanish 84.1%, Quechua 13%, Aymara 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.3% and other languages and dialects.

Religion: Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, and other.

Population: 29’248,943 (estimation for 2011)

Independence day: July 28 th

GDP: US$ 152.8 billion (2010 est.)

Agriculture – main products: asparagus, coffee, cocoa, cottons, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, grapes, oranges, lemons, tomatoes, mango, onion, bananas.

Currency: Nuevo Sol

2. DESCRIPTION LIMA Lima, the capital of Peru, is located in the central part of the country on the coast. It is the only coastal capital in South America. The city has undergone many changes in recent years and Peruvian economic growth has made it a hub for many international companies. Lima has

approximately 10 million inhabitants and, as a large city, it has diverse areas for international students to visit. Lima still has its old Spanish-style architecture, as well as modern areas. It is also considered the culinary capital of Latin America and UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. CUSCO Cusco is a friendly city, and culture and history are all around. Its architecture has maintained its Inca and Spanish style. You will notice that even streets and houses still have original Inca stones. The population is around 400,000 and the size of the city allows everyone to walk wherever they want to go. International students will feel comfortable in a city used to visitors from all over the world, and you will find that Cusco is very cosmopolitan but at the same time proud of its history and Peruvian culture.

3. CITY MAP LIMA AND MIRAFLORES

DOWNTOWN LIMA

CUSCO

4. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE We know that preparing for a long trip to study abroad requires certain steps and considerations. Please feel free to ask USIL staff for any further information you may need. The Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima is the main entrance to Peru. You will probably make your first stop in Peru at this airport. If you have spare days before you start your program at USIL, we recommend you visit Lima and our main facilities. Lima is considered the culinary capital of South America and you can find the best restaurants and shops 40 minutes from the airport. If your program is in Lima, you should make arrangements for a taxi at a stand inside the airport. We do not recommend taking a taxi outside the airport. If you have a connecting flight to Cusco (flights from Lima to Cusco leave between 5am and 3pm), your flight time will be 1 hour and 20 minutes. At the airport, you will be picked up by someone from USIL if you will be staying at the USIL student residence, or by a representative of homestay if you will be staying with a family. Otherwise, you can take a 5-minute taxi ride to downtown Cusco. Once again, we ask that you allow us to help you with your transportation arrangements. If you have a connecting flight to Cusco, make sure you pick up your luggage in Lima first. They will probably not be sent to Cusco directly even if the airline told you so at the beginning of your flight. Prior to your arrival, please contact the USIL International coordinators to help you arrange for taxi service, airport pickup, or the like. We highly recommend that you take a taxi that pertains to a formal transportation company rather than an informal taxi. In Lima, there are taxi companies inside the airport. FIRST DAY IN CUSCO: Resting at least the first morning is highly recommendable. Cusco is located at 3,400 masl (11,300 fasl) and some students may feel dizzy if they start walking all around the city on the first day. Some students never feel dizzy or sick, but it’s always good to prevent altitude problems. At USIL housing or your homestay, try herbal tea, which may be helpful in preventing altitude sickness. WEATHER: In Lima, the weather is predictable most of the year. Temperatures range from a low of 12°C (53.6°F) in the winter to a high of 30°C (86°F) in the summer (December-February). During the winter, the weather is mostly cloudy. Lima has a very high percentage of humidity; although it never rains much in Lima, it drizzles in the winter. In Cusco, between January and March (summer season), the weather is rainy. However, it could be sunny even in winter during the day. Some students bring sunscreen if they have sensitive skin. A cap will also do. Bring your raincoat or a good jacket for the rain and hiking boots. Cusco is a beautiful city with a gorgeous blue sky and sometimes shorts and a T-shirt will be enough. Nights are cold from May to September and jackets and sweaters are recommendable. The city can get as cold as 1°C (33.8°F) during the night and 15°C (59°F) in the afternoon in the winter time. Bringing boots, gloves, scarves, and raincoats or jackets is always a must.

ORIENTATION DAY AND WELCOME CEREMONY: USIL always prepares an orientation talk and welcome ceremony held on the main campus in Lima and at the USIL International Center in Cusco where students, faculty and deans meet with the USIL authorities. The meeting is

intended to provide all the academic information that both students and faculty will need to know. After the ceremony, students take the Spanish Placement Test given by a representative of the USIL Language Department if they are to study Spanish. SPANISH: Your experience in Lima or Cusco will be fascinating and part of it will be learning this beautiful language. After the placement test, you will be able to buy your Spanish books at a nearby bookstore. It is important to understand that the Spanish level you might have reached at your home university may not match our standards. Please ask our USIL International academic staff or USIL Language Department for advice. Important websites:

Lima airport: http://www.lap.com.pe

Taxi company at Lima airport: http://www.taxigreen.com.pe/

Cusco airport: http://www.corpac.gob.pe/vuelos/cusco

5. MONEY: Dollars are accepted everywhere, particularly in Lima and Cusco. However, we recommend that you exchange dollars or euros for our currency (Nuevo Sol, or soles), as the exchange rate varies from one establishment to another. We recommend that you exchange your dollars or euros at a bank. There are money exchange offices and money exchangers on the street, but we recommend that you exchange your money at the bank. Credit cards are also accepted in most places (American Express, Visa, Master Card, Maestro, etc.). You can also withdraw money from ATM’s (soles or dollars). ATM’s are conveniently located at the airport in Lima and Cusco, near the USIL student residence and USIL International Center, and in downtown Cusco. Major banks in Peru:

Banco de Crédito: http://www.viabcp.com

BBVA Banco Continental: www.bbvabancocontinental.com/

Interbank: www.interbank.com.pe/

Banco de la Nación: www.bn.com.pe/

6. TRANSPORTATION In Lima, buses are the main means of public transportation. There is a recommendable bus system called the Metropolitano that runs through parts of the city. It is a well-organized, reliable system with its own bus stations. Lima also has its own metro system that runs from north to south in the city. Currently, you will also find 20-passenger buses called “coasters” and small vans called “combis”. We do not recommend taking combis. If you take a taxi, please consider going with a friend at all times, since many taxis do not belong to a taxi company. Taxis in Lima are inexpensive and fares are negotiable with taxi drivers. Learn how to bargain! In Cusco, taxis are surprisingly cheap and rides are less than a dollar everywhere inside the city and one dollar after 11pm. You will be able to take taxis all day and all night. There are taxi companies that will charge one or two more dollars for a ride. Public transportation by bus costs around US$0.30. Try to take a bus with someone else at first. In Lima, from USIL housing to the main campus is about a 1-hour bus ride. By taxi, it could take 40 minutes. In Cusco, from USIL housing to the USIL International Center by taxi should take no more than 5 minutes. You can also walk from the USIL student residence to the school in 10 minutes.

Main airlines and bus companies:

LAN Airlines: www.lan.com

TACA Airlines: www.taca.com

Cruz del Sur bus: http://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe/

7. PEOPLE People from Lima are very friendly and visitors are impressed by how Peruvians in general express their friendship. Because Lima is a big city, limeños and limeñas are reluctant to approach others on the street, but when they know they are tourists, limeños and limeñas are very helpful. However, we always ask our students to be careful and to avoid certain parts of the city. People from Cusco (cusqueño – male, and cusqueña – female) are very friendly to visitors and they are used to being helpful. Some visitors may feel uncomfortable or extremely thankful when they see that cusqueños try to help them as much as possible and with extreme politeness. Nevertheless, cusqueños are used to tourists and they try their best to make you feel welcome.

8. SAFETY SUGGESTIONS Even though you may feel safe in Lima and Cusco, you should always consider some precautions in order to avoid some bothersome situations:

Avoid large crowds whenever you sense a lack of security (e.g. building emergency exits, restaurants, dance clubs, bars, etc.).

Try to avoid carrying your passport in your pocket or bag. You can carry copies of your passport and ID.

Have your health insurance card with you at all times. Have the address of your residence or family homestay as well as important phone

numbers with you. Cell phones in Peru are fairly cheap. We highly recommend buying one. Please send

your phone number to the USIL office. If you go out, try to be with classmates or friends at all times. If you meet somebody

else, introduce him/her to your group. Avoid situations where alcohol and/or drugs may be involved. Peruvian laws are very

strict regarding drug possession. Bringing alcohol and/or drugs to the USIL student residence and/or school facilities is

strictly prohibited. Students found with drugs will be automatically expelled from the university and the student residence.

If you are going to travel around the country by bus, taking the best bus companies is advisable. Some buses do not offer good service and saving a little money is not worth the risk. Main websites:

National Police: www.pnp.gob.pe/

Tourism Police: http://www.pnp.gob.pe/direcciones/dirture/inicio.html

Fire Department: www.bomberosperu.gob.pe/

Javier Prado Clinic (Lima): www.clinicajavierprado.com.pe/

Ricardo Palma Clinic (Lima): http://www.crp.com.pe/

Clínica Internacional (Lima): http://www.clinicainternacional.com.pe/

Tezza Clinic (Lima): http://www.clinicatezza.com.pe/

Montefiori Clinic (Lima): www.montefiori.com.pe/

San José Clinic (Cusco): http://www.sanjose.com.pe/

Hampiland Clinic (Cusco): http://www.hampiland.com/

Clínica Peruano Suiza (Cusco): http://www.clinicaperuanosuiza.com/

US Embassy (Lima): http://lima.usembassy.gov/

US Embassy (Cusco): http://lima.usembassy.gov/geninfo.html

French Embassy (Lima): www.ambafrance-pe.org/

German Embassy (Lima): http://www.lima.diplo.de/

Colombian Embassy (Lima): www.embajadacolombia.org.pe/

Finnish Embassy (Lima): www.finlandia.org.pe/

Embassy of the Netherlands (Lima): www.nlgovlim.com/

Other embassies in Lima or Cusco: http://www.infoperu.com/es/view.php?lang=es&p=34

9. CULTURE, BEHAVIOR, LANGUAGE PHRASES, IDIOSINCRASY Here is a list of some general statements related to the Peruvian culture, behavior (what is considered polite or generally accepted), useful language phrases, and more ideas that may be useful during your stay. Some ideas may differ somehow in different cities of Peru.

Greetings are very important for Peruvians in general. Men to men usually greet with a handshake. Men to women and women to women with a kiss on the cheek. Students to professors usually greet with a phrase: Buenos días profesor (Good morning teacher), buenas tardes profesor (Good afternoon teacher), hasta luego profesor (Good bye teacher). Lifting up your eyebrows or not greeting at all may be considered rude or impolite by some teachers. When visiting someone at home, always greet anyone in the house with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek.

Leaving a classroom without asking the teacher or at least not telling the teacher to be excused is considered rude or impolite by some teachers.

Handing-in exams, assignments, or even a paper to a teacher, it should be given directly to the hand of the teacher. Do not throw or toss the paper on the teacher’s desk.

When invited home for lunch or dinner, it’s not mandatory to bring wine or a gift, but it’s always considered thoughtful to bring something to drink or eat.

When asking for directions, favors, information, food at a restaurant, or suggestions, the word por favor (please) is considered polite and sometimes necessary. Some Peruvians may consider it rude if you do not use this phrase. When asking for anything to your teachers or anyone at the university, do not forget to use this simple but useful expression. When done, use the phrase gracias (thank you).

Peruvians are considered friendly, polite, and warm, and they like to help everyone, especially foreigners, and they expect to have the same treatment from tourists.

10. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Please see these websites for information on cultural activities in the city: LIMA:

Museum of Art: http://www.mali.pe/

Museum of Contemporary Art: www.li-mac.org/

Gold Museum: www.museoroperu.com.pe

Pedro de Osma Museum: www.museopedrodeosma.org

Larco Museum: http://www.museolarco.org/

Pre-Columbian Art Museum: http://www.map.org.pe/

Ministry of Culture: http://www.mcultura.gob.pe/

Peruvian-Japanese Theater: http://www.apj.org.pe/teatro

Municipal Ballet: http://www.balletmunicipal.com/

Water Fountains / Circuito Mágico del Agua: http://www.circuitomagicodelagua.com.pe/

CUSCO:

Ministry of Culture – Cusco: http://www.drc-cusco.gob.pe/

http://www.cuscoculto.com/

http://www.guamanpoma.org/

http://www.lacasacusco.com/lacasacusco/

http://www.agendacusco.com/

http://www.municusco.gob.pe/agendacultural/

http://www.icpnacusco.org/index-3.html

http://www.alianzafrancesacusco.org.pe/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=56

http://www.aboutcusco.com/cusco/pubs/english/resultados.asp

http://www.aboutcusco.com/cusco/eng/museums.asp