Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
Term
Fall, Spring
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Housing
Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
500
Jun 19, 2024
Aug 07, 2024
5 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend next semester or summer abroad in Cusco, Peru at the Universidad de Salamanca Cursos Internacionales en Cusco! This program is at the WorldStrides Global Campus and was developed with the Universidad de Salamanca.

Home to the palace of the Inca and the world famous Machu Picchu, Cusco is located in the southeastern region of Peru. Cusco attracts people from around the world to view its astonishingly preserved archaeological sites and architecture.

Take courses at our Global Campus in English and Spanish with other students. Use your developing language skills with the friendly Peruvian people and explore their culture firsthand. Check out the video below and our website for all the details!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of our destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.
Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of our destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.
ISA by WorldStrides is devoted to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.
We are dedicated to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

Impact 🌎

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.
ISA by WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Program Highlights

  • Once the Incan capital, Cusco is also home to archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Wander the streets of Cusco and check out “Plaza de Armas” as well as other sites that were built on the Inca Temple of the Sun.
  • Home to beautiful nature, Peru offers numerous adventurous activities like paragliding, surfing, sandboarding, hiking, and more!
  • Experience Peru’s wildlife while swimming with Pink Dolphins, exploring the Amazon, or visiting the island of monkeys while adventuring around Tambopata jungle.
  • Adventure around Machu Picchu, one of the world’s 7 wonders of the world, while going on an unforgettable excursion in Cusco
  • Peru’s official languages are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. There are also 40+ native languages recognized nationally

Popular Programs

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Program Reviews

4.63 Rating
based on 8 reviews
  • 5 rating 62.5%
  • 4 rating 37.5%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.9
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.65
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Default avatar
Solymar
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-Changing Summer Abroad in Cusco

I did the Summer I semester in Cusco and had a truly life-changing experience. Despite being a shortened semester, ISA made sure we saw all of the best parts of Cusco. Cusco's rich history and culture made for an amazing time studying abroad. The ISA staff and my professors made sure to support me every step of the way, providing great help even when I got sick. The study center is small but charming and offers a great space to study and engage with the ISA community. I will never forget my time in Peru and going through this program has me yearning to go again.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
During holiday seasons, they have something called Chiriuchu, which is a dish that dates back to pre-colonial times and consists of a combination of seaweed, fish roes, jerky, potatoes, corn cakes, cheese, and most importantly guinea pig. While the idea of eating guinea pig was a bit scary to me at first, I eventually built up the courage to try on Corpus Christi (one of Peru's biggest holidays) and it actually wasn't that bad.
Pros
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Rich in history
  • Amazing culture
Cons
  • Altitude sickness
  • Lots of walking uphill/through uneven surfaces
  • Not always the kindest when it comes to the language barrier
45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Karen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Quest to Self-Discovery in Cusco, Peru

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What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate a variety of exotic fruits in Peru including maracuya, lucuma, aguaymanto, chirimoya, and guanabana. My favorite was maracuya; the flavor is sweet and sour, similar to lemon but different in texture. Maracuya is delicious in icecream and lemonade!
Pros
  • For Spanish language learners, Cusco is a place to connect with local hispanics.
  • Peru is known for gastronomy; you will have the opportunity to taste authentic Peruvian cuisines!
  • Night life in Cusco is so much fun. If you like to party, know that Cusco is party city!
Cons
  • Water sanitation and availability can be limited at your homestay; you may have to purchase bottled water
  • Many may struggle with altitude sickness during the first couple of weeks; it takes time to adjust
  • Cusco is full of stray dogs; you could either love or hate this
59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most incredible experience

Ever since I left Cusco, I have been wishing I could go back. It is the most magical place full of delicious food, incredible people, and breathtaking scenery. The staff at ISA was so supportive and did a great job making me feel safe and comfortable in a new place. They gave great recommendations, taught us how to use public transportation, and took amazing care of us whenever any of us got sick. We got to go on amazing excursions such as the jungle and Machu Picchu. In addition all the classes included a bunch of amazing field trips.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
In Chinchero we went to a weaving workshop but before it started one of the woman offered us pieces of the cui(guineapig) she was casually snacking on.
Pros
  • Got to experience a beautiful culture first hand
  • Was able to improve my Spanish
  • Ate amazing food
Cons
  • Food in Latin America can be sketchy, everyone had at least one sickness caused by food
  • Getting sick
  • Getting homesick
59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Carly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience with ISA

I had the most incredible experience with ISA during my time in Cusco! From the moment I arrived in Peru, I was warmly welcomed by the program coordinators who made me feel right at home. The academic aspect was equally enriching; the courses were thoughtfully designed and provided a perfect balance between classroom learning and real-world exploration. Beyond academics, the program's cultural immersion activities allowed me to truly understand and appreciate the local way of life, traditions, and customs. The support system in place, including the dedicated staff and fellow participants, created a tight-knit community that made me feel welcomed and connected. This journey has not only broadened my perspective but also given me lifelong friends from around the world. I'm immensely grateful for this experience and would wholeheartedly recommend this study abroad program to anyone seeking personal growth, academic advancement, and unforgettable memories.

Pros
  • Seeing the breathtakingly incredible mountain ranges.
  • Immersing yourself in a rich and beautiful culture.
  • Very affordable and easy to budget while still doing plenty of activities.
Cons
  • The dry weather made my lips chapped.
  • It did get cold at night indoors.
  • The altitude definitely affects your body if you are not used to it.
106 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Julia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good balance of work and experiences

Something I was worried about with this program was being overwhelmed with school work and not being able to explore the city and learn through experiences, but the staff were very accommodating of that and while the work in classes was challenging for me (who isn't yet fluent in Spanish), I had more than enough free time and didn't feel burdened by the course load. That being said, I feel like I didn't learn that much in the actually classes, but they were still good experiences. My host family and staff were very willing to work with me and my schedule, they both wanted me to explore and learn as much as I could!

Pros
  • Amazing location
  • Lots of history
  • ISA provides great medical staff
Cons
  • Lots of stairs
  • Food/water safety is lacking
109 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sienna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Discover Cusco!

I had an amazing time studying abroad in Peru with ISA. My home stay was great, the staff was always available, the excursions were really cool, and I was able to get credit for my majors while away!

203 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
SpanFilLady
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Hardest Part Was Coming Back

My experience with ISA International Studies Abroad in Cusco, Peru was with the Language, Literature, and Culture program. I went in the Spring of 2014, about one year ago and since the moment I returned I haven't been able to shake that travel itch. My experience with ISA was nothing short of spectacular. The customer service was great and was there if I needed help at any time whether it was before, during, or after my study abroad experience. They not only made me feel ready to study abroad but they made me feel home once I arrived in my host country when they picked me up from the airport and showed me around town before taking me to my homestay. The program was so full of activities that there was never a dull moment! Its the most you can get for your money and so much more than that! It was an experience of a life time and when asked what the hardest part was I always say: It was coming back.

What would you improve about this program?
More cultural immersion and activities with locals.
212 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Joey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Want to go back.

I absolutely loved my study abroad experience in Peru! So much so, that I am trying to talk my family into traveling there with me. The professors and staff were excellent and were not only seen in the classroom. We would see them around town and they would travel on some of the trips with us. It was one of the best traveling experiences I have ever been on.

186 people found this review helpful.
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