Living in Peru - Frequently Asked Questions

 

ACCOMMODATIONS
How far from the school do the host families live?
What meals are included at the host family’s home?
Can we share a double room as a couple?
I arrive in Cuzco on Saturday. Where can I stay?
I am a vegetarian, is that a problem if I want to stay with a host family?
How does the school choose my family?
Shoud I take a gift for my host family?

SCHOOL
What are the class schedules?
How much time do I need to become fluent in Spanish?
Do the teachers give homework?
Help! I do not speak any Spanish at all!

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Will I need a visa?

ACCOMMODATIONS

How far from the school do the host families live?
The host families live in different areas of Cuzco. Some live in the center, within walking distance from the school (10 -15 minutes walking); others live in the quieter, affluent areas of Cuzco, outside the tourist district. From these places you can easily reach the school by taxi or public bus (10-15 minutes by taxi or bus). Transportation in Cuzco is very inexpensive. A taxi ride costs $ 0.50.

What meals are included at the host family’s home?
All home stays are based upon full board. This means that a stay with a host family includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, you are free to go out for lunch or dinner whenever you want. Meal times are the greatest opportunities you will have to spend with your family and where you can practice your Spanish, so we recommend that you eat with your family as frequently as possible.

Can we share a double room as a couple?
Yes, you can book a double room with a host family. However, prices are per person and are equivalent to two single-room stays.

I arrive in Cuzco on Saturday. Where can I stay?
You can always book extra nights with your host family at the beginning or at the end of your stay. InterExchange will be happy to book the additional nights upon your request. It is also possible for you to stay in a hotel for your first night, or if you prefer, to spend your first night at the school residence. If you want additional day(s) after finishing your course, please inform our partner school in Cuzco with a couple of days notice; if not, the family might be booked already for new students.

I am a vegetarian, is that a problem if I want to stay with a host family?
It is not a problem. Our host families have experience with the preparation of vegetarian meals. Also, if you have other dietary restrictions or allergies, just let us know in advance. However, the traditional Peruvian kitchen is based on a lot of meat, potatoes and rice, and less vegetables.

How does the school choose my family?
Guest families are carefully chosen and monitored through regular inspections and student feedback. All the members of the family enjoy having foreign students around and introducing them into Peruvian life. Some of them might speak a little bit of English but not all of them. A representative of the school visits two or three families every week to make sure that everything is o.k., and is in constant contact with the families. Three times a year there is a meeting for all the host families to exchange experiences and ideas!

Shoud I take a gift for my host family?
You do not have to but it is a nice idea to bring something typical from your country as a gift for the host family. Sometimes, students give presents when they say goodbye, as by then you know them and all the family members better.

THE SCHOOL

What are the class schedules?
Your classes will be Monday to Friday, either in the morning from 8:30 until 12:30, or in the afternoon, from 2:30 until 6:30. You can request extra private lessons after 6:30 p.m. or on the weekend. Class schedules are subject to change on holidays and during the high season. Class schedules in Urubamba and Manu are different.

How much time do I need to become fluent in Spanish?
This depends a lot on the person. Our experience shows that a person who does not speak any Spanish can achieve a low intermediate level in four weeks of group lessons. This is enough for traveling around and/or for starting your volunteer work. It means you can understand easy, slowly spoken sentences and that you can make yourself understood at a survival level. You will mainly be using the present tense but already have an idea of some past tenses.

Do the teachers give homework?
The idea is that all the work is done in class. However, especially at the beginner levels, your teacher may ask you to do some exercises at home or to memorize some vocabulary to help you progress the following day.

Help! I do not speak any Spanish at all!
You are not the only one! Every week we start with one, two, or three groups of complete beginners, people who haven’t studied any Spanish before arriving in Cuzco, just like you. Don’t worry. Your Spanish will be improving quickly.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Will I need a visa?
No visa is necessary for most countries (check with the Peruvian Embassy in your home country). The tourist visa you will get when entering Peru will allow you 90 days in Peru. You are allowed a maximum of three 30-day extensions for up to 180 days (6 months) in Peru. Each extension will cost you about $25.00. You might want to consider simply crossing the (Bolivian or Chilean) border and re-entering if you need more time in Peru. It will take you about two days and you'll be guaranteed another 90 days.