Peru

Peru is a place where international students can enjoy cultural influences from Amerindians, Mestizo, Chinese, Japanese, and Afro-Peruvian. Put simply, there is much to like in Peru. The capital, Lima, retains some fine Sevillian-colonial architecture, and Cusco remains a popular jumping off point, but the nature reserves are the country’s true gems. Studing abroad in Peru is to enjoy a former Spanish colony turned ethnic melting pot.

Typical living and learning costs

Accommodation – Peru is one of the least expensive countries to live in South America. Although many services and amenities are similar in price throughout the country, costs vary substantially from one city to the next. It will be more expensive a seaview condo in an upscale part of Lima than an apartment in Arequipa. But with our experience and help we can find accommodation that will satisfy your budget almost anywhere in Peru.

Food – Is Peruvian food cheap or expensive? It all depends on how and where you buy in the country. Peruvian food is a cuisine of opposites: hot and cold on the same plate. Acidic tastes melding with the starchy. Robust and delicate at the same time. This balance occurs because traditional Peruvian food relies on spices and bold flavors, ranging from the crisp and clean to the heavy and deep. Each flavor counters or tames the other.

Peru’s true treasure is its rich culinary heritage. Peruvian cuisine reflects local practices and ingredients including influences mainly from the indigenous population, including the Inca, and cuisines brought by immigrants from Europe (Spanish cuisine, Italian cuisine, German cuisine); Asia (Japanese cuisine and Chinese cuisine); and Africa. Without the familiar ingredients from their home countries, immigrants modified their traditional cuisines by using ingredients available in Peru.

Locals rarely refer to Peruvian grocery stores as “grocery stores.” They are more likely to use the term market or “supermercado” which is Spanish for “supermarket”  or simply refer to them as markets. Many Peruvian grocery stores are really large and fancy. Fresh fruits and vegetables will either be abundant or nonexistent
Peru street food is very popular.

Transportation – Getting around Peru is fairly safe and easy. From aircrafts, buses, taxis, shared taxis, mototaxis, minibuses, pickup trucks to boats. Everything is possible.
The two main options for getting around within cities are taxis and a local form of transportation in Peru called a combi. Combis are micro-buses.
Fares are cheap and services are frequent on the major long-distance routes.

Healthcare – Peru has a decentralized healthcare system that consists of a combination of governmental and non-governmental coverage. The resulting system contains multiple providers of services and insurance, often performing functions with a high degree of overlap and little coordination. Health workers often work several jobs in multiple subsectors.
Peru’s healthcare system is broadly divided into two — public and private sector. Peruvian public hospitals, polyclinics, and medical centers are supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Security. Private sector healthcare in Peru includes various hospitals and clinics operated by medical professionals, clinics, pharmacies, and labs. Fees are charged for treatments in both the public and private hospitals.

In Peru, there are two kinds of social insurances to choose from: Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) and EsSalud. SIS is authorized via the Ministry of Health and is designed to assist people with a low income and those who don’t have foreign health insurance. EsSalud, on the other hand, is funded by employers who pay 9% of an employee’s remuneration or salary as insurance. This social insurance is mandatory for private as well as public sector staff, independent workers, students, minor descendants who are not older than 18 years, and retirees.

The health insurance system in the country is expensive, but quality standards are very high in many Peruvian private hospitals and clinics, especially in major cities.

If you are relocating to Peru any time soon, ideally, you should go for a private global health insurance policy that would meet your personal and family needs. Unfortunately, Peru’s public healthcare system is poorly funded and many facilities there may not be able to adequately treat expatriates, who may want to seek care outside Peru.

International students who wish to study in Peru must possess an international health insurance policy, which guarantees to protect he holder’s health in any circumstance. It should cover your medical costs due to accident or any kind of illness, prescribed medicines and dental costs.

“Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, Winikunka, or Montaña de Colores, the latter meaning Colorful Mountain.”

For years, Peru has been one of the most mesmerizing and fascinating destinations in South America. Loaded with impressive views, millennia-old culture, and the interesting contrasts that it displays between modernity and archeology, travel to Peru is a sure bet for all those looking to experience something truly complete and impressive in the region.

With its rich history, beautiful scenery, and some of the world’s most recognizable travel destinations, Peru offers Spanish learners not only the opportunity to learn but to experience.

Peru is said to be one of the best places in the world to study Spanish because the accent is largely neutral among Spanish speakers, it’s spoken slower, and it doesn’t rely heavily on slang or regional dialects.

Furthermore, Peru is known for its friendly population, mouthwatering cuisine, and mystifying historical, cultural, and geographic destinations of interest. All this in a country that remains very affordable by most standards with the infrastructure to get you where you need to go. Learning Spanish in Peru is for you!