The Liberal Arts program for students in third year Spanish or above combines a CIEE taught course, homestay and city-based cultural activities with direct enrollment alongside Peruvian students at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Such immersion allows students to refine language skills and to develop an understanding of contemporary Peruvian society. The program is administered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on behalf of a consortium of which The University of Iowa is a member. Participants join a group of students from other U.S. colleges and universities. UI students earn resident credit on this program.

Academic Program

The semester begins with a required two-week intensive language course; students are tested upon arrival and placed in one of three levels. Subsequently, students enroll in two required courses — a CIEE core course on Peruvian Social Reality and a second advanced Spanish language class depending on proficiency — and additional electives at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Language classes are taught to CIEE students only by professors at PUCP’s Department of Modern Languages. Direct enrollment in regular classes offers a broad range of subjects, among them anthropology, archeology, studio arts, geography, journalism and psychology.

Students typically earn between 16 sh and 21 sh in the semester.

Year-long students can obtain a Peruvian Studies Certificate from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Perú by successfully completing several courses with a focus on Perú in the humanities and social sciences.

Program Dates

Semester participation runs mid-July to mid-December in the Fall, late January to mid-July in the Spring. Academic year runs mid-July through mid-July.

For More Information

Students are required to meet with the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office before initiating an application. Program details are found at the CIEE webpage.

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú is the oldest private institution of higher education in Peru, founded in 1917. Its large campus in the bustling commercial area of San Miguel includes numerous faculty buildings, a central library, computer facilities, sports center, and student cafeterias. The Institute for Democracy and Human Rights is one of several research centers at the university. The student population numbers around 17,000. Average class size is 20-23 students, but can range to 100. The relation between students and faculty tends to be more formal that in the U.S.

Lima

An ever-changing and dynamic city, Lima was the key in colonial times through which Spain controlled its colonies in South America, and this remarkable legacy is still visible in squares, churches and historic homes. Today’s metropolis of eight million spreads out from the colonial center, and combines shanty towns, glitzy shopping malls, crumbling ancient pyramids and colonial structures of waning splendor. Public transportation occurs by mini-bus or taxi. The city is located on the coast, one of Perú’s three distinctive environments along with the Andean highlands and the Amazon rainforest.

Living Arrangements

Housing in Peruvian homes is considered an integral part of the program and essential for learning how to get around in the city. Housing, three meals a day and laundry costs are included in the program fee. Year students with a two and a half-month break during semesters are responsible for their own housing and meals during that period.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Lima by a designated date. Specific information will be provided in post-acceptance materials from CIEE.

Eligibility

Overall GPA 2.75, 5 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent, a Spanish language course within the past year recommended.

Costs

The UI collects an administrative fee in addition to the fee quoted by CIEE. The Program Fee is charged on the U Bill and covers tuition, housing, meals, group excursions, orientation and other support services, an iNext travel card that provides insurance and other travel benefits, and the UI administrative fee.

The semester program fee for Spring 2012 was $11,925 for students that are Iowa residents and $13,401 for non-residents.

Additional costs include round-trip airfare, books and supplies, and personal expenses.

How to Apply

Students complete a CIEE application on the web. They must first meet with the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office for instructions on how to proceed and to obtain a program Application Sheet. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and early application is advisable.

Application Deadline

October 15 for Spring, March 15 for Fall and Academic Year.

Following acceptance, students receive arrival and other information from the Portland office, as well as a Program Handbook with comprehensive student information for Peru.

All students attend a general TIPS orientation for UI Students Studying Abroad. Additional individualized meetings address specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures at Iowa.

CIEE also conducts online orientations for its students.

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1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu