Sustainability & Community Studies
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About this Program
Designed for students at all levels of Spanish language proficiency, the ISA Cusco Study Center program allows you to improve your Spanish proficiency and offers courses in English and Spanish. For example, you can study Spanish language at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels or take a culture, environmental science, history or political science course in English. Courses at the advanced Spanish language level (4 or more semesters of college-level Spanish) include areas such as anthropology, art history, culture, Spanish language and literature. Beginning Spanish 1 and Intermediate Spanish 1 are offered in the first half of the semester and Beginning Spanish 2 and Intermediate Spanish 2 are offered in the second half of the semester.
Program Highlights
- Language(s) of Instruction:
- English
- Spanish
- Courses with Study Abroad Students
- Local University Program
- Language Intensive Program
- No Language Pre-Requisites
- Visa Free/Visa Light
- Apartment
- Homestay
- Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
- Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
- Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May
Level of Immersion
Features
Housing Abroad
Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.
Housing Residence Life
Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preference as best as they can.
Housing Application
Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates
Disciplines
Courseload
Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.
Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the student's time abroad.
- Credit Range: 12-17
- Credit System: U.S. Semester Credits
- Typical Course load: 5
- Credit Per Course: 3-4
Credit Conversion
- Transcript Issued By: University of South Florida
- Credit Conversion Rate: 1 U.S. Semester Credit = 1.5 SU Quarter Credits
- Quarter Range: 18-25.5
Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:
- Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
- For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
- Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
- Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Transfer Credits
Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.
Placeholder Course
The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.
Program Fees
Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.
- Fall Semester: $2,000
- Spring Semester: $2,000
Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate
Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.
Budget Worksheets
Participation Costs
Payment
For SU-Sponsored programs, pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. The Program Fee is labeled as "MSA Fee" on your bill. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University’s quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual.
Seattle University handles payments to ISA on your behalf for the program cost. Additional expenses not included in Seattle University’s Program Fee, like special course fees, housing upgrades, and optional excursions, may be billed to you directly by ISA. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.
Insurance
Scholarships
There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.
Student Journey
| Approximate Timeline | Phase | More details |
|---|---|---|
| Sept-Jan | Exploration | Students will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals. |
| Feb 1 | Apply | Students will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st. |
| Late Feb/Early Mar | Nominations | Education Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs. |
| Mar-May (Fall) Sept-Dec (Winter) Jan-March (Spring) | Preparation | Students will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc. |
Application Steps
- Complete Module I of Global Engagement with Education Abroad Canvas course, including Education Abroad 101 and attending a Planning Meeting with your Education Advisor.
- Complete the SU-Sponsored/SU-Exchange Program Application in Module II of the Canvas course by February 1 for selected program.
If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!
Climate
- Spring (September to November): Mild, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Coastal areas like Lima remain cloudy, while the Andes are sunny.
- Summer (December to February): Warm and humid on the coast, with temperatures between 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Rainy season in the Andes and Amazon regions, where temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F).
- Autumn (March to May): Cool and increasingly dry, with temperatures around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) in the Andes and jungle, and coastal temperatures from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F).
- Winter (June to August): Dry season in the Andes, ideal for trekking. Coastal areas remain cool and overcast, with temperatures between 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F).
Travel Resources
- Air: Major international airports include Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco for Machu Picchu access.
- Train: Scenic train routes connect Cusco to Machu Picchu and Puno to Arequipa for travelers interested in exploring the Andes.
- Public Transport: Cities have affordable bus systems, and taxis are widely available. In Lima, the Metropolitano bus system offers an efficient way to navigate the city.
Cultural Resources
- Historical Sites: Peru is known for its iconic Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Nazca Lines, and Amazon Rainforest.
- Language: The official language is Spanish, with Quechua and Aymara also widely spoken in highland regions.
- Festivals: Notable festivals include Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun), Fiesta de la Candelaria, and Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations.
Food & Diet
- Cuisine: Traditional Peruvian dishes include ceviche, lomo saltado (stir-fried beef), aji de gallina (chicken in spicy sauce), and cuy (guinea pig).
- Dietary Needs: Vegetarian options are available in major cities, though rural areas may have limited options. Peru has over 3,500 varieties of potatoes, 50 varieties of corn, rich in quinoa, makes Peru an ideal location of vegetarian options. Vegan restaurants are also increasing in cities like Lima and Cusco.
Embassy/Consulate
- U.S. Embassy in Lima: Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n, Surco, Lima (Phone: +51 1 618-2000)
Identity-Specific Considerations
- Accessibility: Accessibility is limited, especially in historic sites like Machu Picchu. Major cities, however, are becoming more accessible with adapted facilities and transportation options.
- LGBTQ+: Peru has conservative attitudes toward LGBTQ+ rights, especially in rural areas. LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion.
- Religion: Peru is predominantly Roman Catholic, with religious freedom protected, and indigenous spiritual practices coexisting alongside Christianity in many regions.
- Race & Ethnicity: Peru is ethnically diverse, with Indigenous, Mestizo, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian communities contributing to its cultural richness, though Indigenous and Afro-Peruvian groups often face social and economic inequalities.
- Gender: Gender equality is gradually improving in Peru, with increasing female representation in education and politics, but traditional gender roles and gender-based violence remain significant challenges, particularly in rural areas.
Visa Requirements
What is a Visa?
A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.
Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by ISA.
U.S. passport holders are not required to obtain a visa for Peru (Non-U.S. citizens should consult their respective consulates). ISA will offer additional information and guidance before departure and on-site; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in ISA’s nor Seattle University's control. Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.