Study Abroad in Lima, Peru

The coastal capital of Peru, you’ll find a cosmopolitan city that has something for everyone. Super affordable and even larger than New York city, Lima is made up of diverse neighborhoods like Miraflores - full of nightlife, restaurants and shopping; Barranco - Lima’s romantic and bohemian art district; and the historic downtown, Centro de Lima - rich with centuries of history. Peru is a melting pot of culture and during your semester you’ll see how the beautiful combination of indigenous roots, Hispanic culture, and Asian and African influences are present all around.

Our Lima program is a great fit for students looking for an immersive experience, with a focus on community-based learning, and a desire to learn and polish your Spanish.


Quick Facts

  • Language of Instruction: Spanish

  • Host University: Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP)

  • Semesters Available: Fall, Spring, Full Year

  • Semester Duration: 5 months

  • Recommended Credits: 12 - 15

  • Application Requirements: GPA 2.5 + Intermediate Spanish

Program Highlights

  • Included excursion to Cusco Lima will be your home, but you haven’t seen Peru until you’ve traveled to the capital of the Inca empire. We’re excited to take you there!

  • Volunteer and Service-Learning Included. We want you to get involved and immerse yourself. When studying abroad in Peru, we plan days of service as a group. Want to volunteer while studying abroad? We can even help you find an ongoing volunteer project that aligns with your passion. Learn about Academics, Courses, Volunteering & Experiential Learning Opportunities.

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Life in Lima, Peru

What’s your typical day like studying abroad in Peru? It might go something like this:

You wake up, get dressed, and head to the kitchen for breakfast with your host family while listening to the morning news in Spanish. Foggy at times, chances are you’ll have some great weather today because Lima is warm and dry year-round — 90°F+ in the summer and around 60°F in the cooler months.

Later, you might explore your neighborhood or head to the university for classes. Wherever you’re headed, getting around in Peru is an experience in itself. You’ll hear the “cobrador” calling out bus stop names and you raise your hand like hailing a cab for the bus to stop and pick you up.

At your university, La Católica, traffic noise fades away and is replaced by relaxing bird chirping and conversation. In the summer, El Malecón de Miraflores will be one of your favorite spots with breathtaking views from atop the coastal cliffs of Lima. Wherever your day takes you, returning home you’ll be greeted by your host family.

EdOdyssey was the perfect fit for me. They were helpful with every step of planning and assisted with all of my activities, homestay family placement, volunteer opportunities, and acclimation to Lima during my time in Peru. I could not have had a more amazing experience in Peru through EdOdyssey!
— Jake L., EdOdyssey Alumni, Harvard University '22
  • In Lima, you’ll live with hand-matched host families excited to share their home, language and culture. As part of your application, our local team will get to know you and match you with the best possible family in Peru, considering your lifestyle and other preferences. There’s a maximum of 2 students per family, so you’re fully immersed.

  • Documentary-worthy excursions that we plan just for you and your study abroad cohort. Always accompanied by someone from our team, these three special excursions will give you a true glimpse into each of Peru’s major regions: la selva (rainforest), la costa (coast), and la sierra (mountain region). 

  • The top priority while traveling abroad, we help keep you happy, healthy, and safe abroad during your stay in Peru — whether that’s finding a local English-speaking specialist or therapist, preparing to navigate a food sensitivity, or understanding any potential challenges for your identity to help you stay safe. We know each of us is unique, and for those times you may feel overwhelmed by what’s going on around you, we will be there for you.

    Learn more about our Health & Safety and important COVID-19 information.


Pre-Departure Education, On-Site Orientation, and Re-Entry Support

PRE-DEPARTURE EDUCATION & PREP

Once accepted into the Peru study abroad program, our local team starts working with you right away to help you select and pre-approve your courses, match you with a host family, and get ready. You’ll have access to our program webpage for students, full of resources and other important information. In addition, each student will have a 1-on-1 video call with the local team to meet you and answer your questions.

COMPREHENSIVE ORIENTATION

In Lima, Peru, we dedicate a full week to help you get comfortable and up to speed about all things Lima, before classes begin. In addition to that, we will also support you throughout the semester, so you can get the best out of your experience in Peru.

RE-ENTRY SUPPORT & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

A top motivation for students to study abroad is to grow and learn. For many, it’s an important part of career development too, and rightfully so. During your time studying abroad in Peru, we tailor your experience to your future, and upon return help, you highlight study abroad on your resume, portfolio, or application and for future studies or careers.


Study Abroad Team in Peru

When you study abroad with EdOdyssey in Lima, you’re part of a small cohort, and our team takes the time to get to know you personally.

Luis Garcia, Program Director

“I love my job because everything is an opportunity to learn something new. It’s the little things about daily life that make the identity of people and their nation: from customs to language, from grocery shopping to classroom conversations, every moment can show you something if you take a close look. Let’s have the adventure of a lifetime!”

Academics & Learning

Local University & Courses at PUCP

Founded in 1917, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP) is the oldest private university in the country. Ranked as one of the best 25 universities in all of Latin America and #1 in Peru, it sits on a 100-acre campus and boasts modern facilities, beautiful gardens, and even its own archaeological site! With a total student population of 18,000, PUCP also hosts hundreds of international students each semester from all over the U.S. and the world.

PUCP offers courses in virtually disciplines from archeology to education to political science to dance. Some popular courses include Peruvian Social Reality, History of Contemporary Peru, and even Quechua (the language of the Incas!).

EdOdyssey students have access to all 14 departments or “facultades” and most students take a full course load of 4-5 classes for a total of 12-15 credits.*

POPULAR MAJORS & CONCENTRATIONS:

POLITICAL SCIENCE • PSYCHOLOGY • SPANISH • COMMUNICATIONS • SOCIAL SCIENCES  • LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES • EDUCATION  • SOCIOLOGY • HISTORY  • THEOLOGY  • PHILOSOPHY • LINGUISTICS • LITERATURE • BUSINESS

*Credits: Your EdOdyssey study abroad advisor will work with you to select and pre-approve your courses for easy transfer to your home university. If applicable, we’ll even help you “petition” if this program is not yet pre-approved.


Experiential & Community-Based Learning

volunteering in Cono Sur de Lima

Volunteering in a local community outside of Lima during a planned day of service

We encourage students to get involved in the community while studying abroad in Peru — whether it’s joining a sports team, finding a local club, volunteering, or pursuing another passion like dance or cooking. While optional, most students elect to complete an independent cultural Personal Project to reflect on their learning and experience.

Personal Project

As an optional component of your semester abroad, many students chose to also complete a Personal Project. The purpose is to serve as a fun, interactive portfolio piece that pushes you to pursue your passions and interests abroad. If you’re unsure what this project might look like, that’s okay! Your local Program Director and academic advisors will help you define the scope and details of your project and check in monthly. It’s a great way to showcase your experience for job and graduate school applications.

Dates, Costs & Apply Now

Program Dates

FALL 2024

  • Application Deadline: April 15, 2024.

  • Program dates coming soon.

SPRING 2025

  • Application Deadline: November 15, 2024.

  • Program dates coming soon.


Program Costs (2024-2025)

  • Tuition: $ 3,660 USD

  • Program Fee: $ 11,810 USD

  • Partner institution Total: $14,855 USD

  • Non-Partner institution Total: $15,470 USD

Once accepted, a $500 deposit is due to reserve your spot in our Lima study abroad program.

  • TUITION INCLUSIONS

    • 12-15 Academic Credits at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

    • One-On-One On Campus Advising Abroad

    • Personal Project Development

    • Academic Transcripts & Credit Transfer Support

    • All Pre-Departure Preparation & Materials

    • In-country orientation.

    • All-Inclusive Excursion to Cusco + cultural activities throughout the semester

    • EdOdyssey Local Team & Support

    • 24/7 Health & Emergency Assistance

    • International Emergency Medical Insurance

    • Part-time Volunteering Opportunities & Service Learning

    • International Airport Pick Up & Drop Off

    HOUSING INCLUSIONS

    • A Hand-Matched Homestay located in a central neighborhood

    • A Private Bedroom

    • A Shared Bathroom

    • Shared Common Areas (Kitchen & Living Room)

    • WiFi/Internet

    • All Bills/Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water)

    • Three Meals Per Day

  • These are estimates, and students should budget based on their lifestyle and spending habits.

    • Airfare: $900

    • Visa (if necessary): $100

    • Emergency Medical Insurance: Included!

    • Local Transportation: $175

    • Meals & Entertainment: $500

    • Personal Expenses: $450

    TOTAL ESTIMATED PERSONAL SEMESTER EXPENSES: $2,025 USD (~$405/MONTH)


INTERESTED IN STUDYING ABROAD IN PERU WITH EDODYSSEY?

I was very nervous and did not know what to expect. Fortunately enough, the EdOdyssey program helped me transition smoothly and have a great experience in a foreign country. From the moment of arrival in Lima with a warm welcome from the program coordinator, I knew that I had made the right decision. The staff members are very supportive throughout the journey and ensure that all of the participant’s needs are met.
— Nury A., EdOdyssey Alumni / Holy Cross ‘20
Taking Spanish classes and being able to go to the Amazon was a great and worldly experience! I learned a lot, met some really great people, and exposed myself to a part of the world that a lot of people don’t get exposed to. I’d love to be able to go back to Peru and I hope it’s sooner than later! EdOdyssey really did a great job with this program. Very professional and helping staff that show how much they care about what they do.
— Liam G., EdOdyssey Alumni, College of St. Rose '19