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Peru

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Accommodations and Accessibility

Early planning is key. First, it’s important to know that options for accommodations vary by country, city, and university. This makes it important to share your requests for academic, mental health, diet, religious practices, housing, physical disabilities, and other accommodations early in the planning process. Connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor or with our Health, Safety and Wellness team at hsw@ifsa-butler.org as soon as possible.  

Accommodations. The information you share on your health and wellness and housing forms supports this process. After receiving these forms, our Health and Wellness team will follow up with you as needed to help you arrange accommodations you may need. 

Accessibility. Peruvian law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and mandates that public spaces are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Still, people with disabilities, especially those with mobility needs, could find it difficult to get around various cities in Peru. Streets and sidewalks can be difficult to navigate with mobility devices.   

Between 2009 and 2014, Lima passed several laws guaranteeing rights and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Sidewalks are typically the same level as the streets, so there’s no need to look for curb cuts. Lima public transit is not easily accessible; taxis and Ubers are often the best bet. We’re happy to help you explore study abroad in Lima based on your needs.  

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Mental and Physical Health

Maintaining your mental and physical health while abroad is a priority, and we’re ready to help you plan to support both.  

Local care. As an IFSA student, you’ll receive support for disclosed health needs, and we can help you work with CISI Insurance to find local care. Students who are in therapy or counseling can choose to continue video calls with a home counselor or arrange to work with a mental health provider in Peru. 

Sports and fitness. Peruvians love sports, especially soccer. Students have a variety of options for staying fit at PUCP, ports at PUCP from indoor cycling to basketball. For some sports, students are required to pay a fee for each semester. PUCP’s gym fee includes weight-lifting equipment, indoor cycling, functional training, and more.  

Check with the IFSA team about CISI insurance coverage for injuries sustained during sports. Coverage is generally broad but there are exceptions for high-level competition. 

There are also many fitness centers around Lima. Your IFSA team can help you find places to bike, run, walk, surf, and play volleyball. 

Food and water. Do not drink tap water in Peru unless it has been boiled or filtered. Choose cooked foods and fruits you can peel to avoid stomach issues. Street food is also popular. Pro tip: Choose a stand with Peruvians waiting in line for the best taste and freshest fare. 

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Faith Communities

Studying abroad will likely expose you to new religions and faith communities around the world. If you plan to practice your religion abroad, consider researching the religious diversity, customs, laws and places of worship in your host country and campus. 

In Peru, most people consider themselves Roman Catholic (81%), the country’s official religion. About 3% of the population are Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist. Indigenous people might be outwardly Roman Catholic, and sometimes blend Catholicism with their own sets of beliefs and practices. Freedom of religion is fundamental in Peruvian culture.   

You’ll find Catholic churches of varying style in every neighborhood. Asociacion Judia del Perú represents the Jewish community and coordinates the activities of the community’s three synagogues. The community also maintains a B’nai B’rith lodge, a Hebraica Club, Zionist youth movements, and many social assistance institutions. The IFSA team can help you find places of worship. 

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Considerations for Women

Gender stereotyping and discrimination occur in Peru. Many subscribe to traditional heterosexual gender roles with men as primary earners and women responsible for raising children and household work. Women were not allowed to vote until 1956. Today, political parties have a quota of at least 30% of both sexes on their lists. 

Machismo culture (masculine culture where men believe they hold dominant roles over women) begins at a young age. But women’s movements, foundations and cooperatives are working to remove this construct. Piropos (cat calling) is common, and strangers often make comments as women pass on the street. Women who look like foreigners might experience this more often.  

Safety. By world standards, Peru is considered relatively safe. The most common crime is petty theft, and tourists are likely targets. We’ll share tips to help you stay safe.  

Dress. Peruvians tend to dress more formally than Americans, even to run errands and shop for groceries. Jeans are common year-round. Sweatpants, t-shirts, short shorts, fitted yoga pants and leggings can signal that you’re from away. Dress conservatively when you visit religious sites and for professional settings.  

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Race and Ethnicity

Peru is home to people of many different historical backgrounds and cultures. Racism is present, though it takes different forms than in the U.S. Students report that racist attitudes are largely due to cultural differences and a historical intolerance of underrepresented groups. For context, recent census data indicates around 60% of the population identifies as Mestizos, 22% Quechuas, 6% White, 3.6% Afro-Peruvian.  

For some students, national identity plays a more salient role while abroad than at home, and some are eager to learn more about their heritage. Locals might be curious about your political views and be direct about these topics. They might openly criticize the U.S. and its citizens. There might be stereotypes or even misconceptions about what an American “looks like.” If you are not perceived as White, locals might question your identity as an American. Common stereotypes relate to how U.S. culture is portrayed in popular TV and films. We encourage you to arrange a call with your Enrollment Counselor to help you plan for these experiences. 

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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Navigating your sexual orientation abroad might different here than in your hometown. Same-sex activity has been legal in Peru since 1924 and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people was banned in 2017, but this is a conservative Catholic country, where attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ people tend to reflect the Catholic teachings. In the city, people are not outwardly aggressive, but attitudes in smaller towns are often very conservative. The openly gay community is sizable and growing as Lima becomes more liberal, especially in city neighborhoods, like Barranco and Miraflores.  

PUCP has a support group for LGBTQIA+ students. Since 2017, the university has been required to use the name a transgender student identifies with in course rosters and all internal communication. All campus staff receive gender training.  

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More Support

From managing money abroad to supporting first-generation college students, our professional advising staff and onsite teams are here for you. 

Student Perspectives

Read about living and learning in Peru: Student Stories.