Mobility specification

Country:Peru

Institution:Peruvian University of Applied Sciences

City:Lima

Program:Partner universities

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?neutral

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?Credits are multiplied by two when transferring because courses are more time consuming.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?Compared to International Relations at MU, there were far fewer of us in the UPC course, often about 15 people came to class, so you got to know the teachers much better. Also, most of my teachers were diplomats by profession and students are often motivated to go in that direction as a result. As far as assignments go, it is common to do several group presentations during the semester and to write papers in which you propose solutions to large global problems (they want your own suggestions supported by data rather than a summary of information).

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The university association organized a two-day orientation program and a tour of the city center for us. There are clubs and events, but I didn't join much myself because I was on a smaller campus. Lima is huge and traffic is always jammed, so if I had signed up for a sports club, for example, I would have had to spend hours on the road. But it's possible, most exchange students tend to be in the larger buildings where most of the English programs are taught (I studied in Spanish) and more student events are organized.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:15000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?The university sends tips from former exchange students where I found my accommodation. Otherwise, it's ideal to ask around. Some people stay in an airbnb first and then, depending on the situation, get something long-term. I highly recommend looking for a place in Lima as close to the university as possible, because the road traffic is really long during rush hours and if you can walk, it's best (if you're in a safe neighborhood). Also, beware of noisy roads, it is better to live away from them, drivers honk even in the middle of the night and early morning.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Probably not, Peru is relatively cheap (food, transport), only if you want to travel, of course it gets expensive, the distances to popular tourist spots are long.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Many people use Uber for transport, which is relatively cheap, but for me, don't be afraid to try the local buses as well (rides are often only 1-2 soles, or 6-12 CZK). Otherwise, when buying tickets, don't be afraid to choose the option with transfers, it often makes the trip much cheaper, and at least for me it was definitely worth it. For possibly buying some more expensive items (suitcase, bike), try Marketplace (second hand stuff).

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?with gestures

How does public transport work in the city?neutral

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Public transport: tickets can be bought from the driver, cash only. On other buses you need a physical card, which is rechargeable. Google maps or the TuRuta app can help with connections, but it's best to ask locals. Buses are slightly unpredictable, timetables are completely non-existent and you can often get on outside the official stops. Then there's the train, but it only serves a minimal part of the city.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?I most recommend the Malecón (Costa Verde) - interconnected parks along the ocean, beautiful space for running and long walks with a view. Then the city centre, the Barranco district, Kennedy Park in Miraflores, the Lugar de la Memoria museum.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Cusco - Machu Picchu (buy tickets in advance and ideally go out of the rainy season), Pisac, Rainbow Mountain, possibly some trekking
Paracas and Huacachina - nature reserve and oasis
Huaraz - beautiful lagoons
For the adventurous, the Amazon Jungle (yellow fever vaccination highly recommended)

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?Embassy of Peru in Prague

What is needed?Arrive in person at the embassy, bring your passport, ID card, a document-size photo, fill out the form and pay $25 cash.

How long does it take approximately?You have to make an appointment. I got an appointment in a few days. The actual execution was by the next day.

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?It's better to have a study visa arranged, although sometimes it's not an outright necessity, some of my housemates have had to deal with complications without one. It's also advisable to deal with vaccinations early, although they are not compulsory specifically for Peru, it's better to have the basic ones.

Can you pay by card?sometimes

What not to forget when packing?Plug adapter, basic medication, hiking boots for the mountains and a suitable backpack.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?I would choose to study in Peru again ♥
I learned about internationals from a different angle and improved my Spanish.