ORIENTATION GUIDE
Welcome to Peruvian Immersion! We hope your experience with us will be inspiring and memorable. In order to assist making the most of your Spanish immersion program, we’ve provided this comprehensive guide with details on requirements, FAQ, and a check list.
REQUIREMENTS
A valid Passport
A copy of the information pages of your passport is needed. Make sure your passport is current and does not expire within 6 months of your travel date.
Professional experience or confirmation of studies
For health care professionals we require a letter from your hospital/clinic and your professional license.
For health care students we require a letter from your college confirming that you are presently taking a health care program.
And for all other professional we require your professional license or academic degree
Travel Insurance
Medical and travel insurance is mandatory and a copy must be provided. It is always recommended that you have travel insurance covering your health and possessions.
Check with your college/employer as you may already have coverage through your current insurance plan or even a bank account.
Proof of vaccinations
The vaccines required for Arequipa are Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid and Yellow Fever are recommended for those travelling to other parts of Peru or South America. Please contact your own doctor to confirm the vaccinations required for your trip.
All the above information can be mailed to:
Peruvian Immersion LLC
P.O. BOX 3463
Dillon, CO 80435
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a visa to participate?
No. Only a passport is needed. However, if you wish to stay more than 3 months, you must request an extension from the Peruvian government.
What level of Spanish do I need?
We accept participants with minimal Spanish. However, we do recommend that you study some Spanish before your immersion program.
How much may I expect my Spanish proficiency to increase?
The improvement depends on whether the participant "speaks" during the immersion program or if he/she is more passive about learning. The best way to learn a foreign language is through conversation, so we recommend that you practice your Spanish with as many people as possible.
Will I a member of the team be waiting for me on my arrival in Lima and Arequipa?
Yes. Regardless of your time of arrival, we will meet you and take you to your chosen accommodation.
What is the weather like in Arequipa?
Arequipa´s temperature could fluctuate between 71ºF to 41ºF in winter time. This city is located in the mountains, daytime temperatures are warm but the evenings are cooler.
May we bring family, spouse, children, fiance?
Yes, you may. Make sure you let us know well ahead of your arrival date so we can quote you a fee and make arrangements for them.
Can I stay with another participant in the same accommodation?
Yes, two participants could stay with the same homestay family.
What clothing is required for my clinic placement?
Please bring your scrubs or a white coat for clinical placements. You will need to bring casual business attire and closed toed shoes for rounds.
Could I be awarded credits for my immersion program with you?
Many students receive college credits for programs like this. We are happy to provide any information required by your institution.
Should we bring cash, credit cards, traveler checks?
Peru uses Nuevos Soles. It's easy to use your credit card, ATM machine, or get cash from the bank using your credit card. It is hard to find places that take traveler checks, so they aren't recommended. We recommend taking about $300 in 20's, and remember that new dollar bills are easier to exchange.
What if I have a food allergy or dietary restriction?
Usually this is not an issue. We have several host families that can accommodate to food allergies and dietary restrictions. Please let us know ahead of time so we can prepare for this accommodation.
What are the host family homes like?
You will be staying in a middle-class home setting in Arequipa. You can expect the home and your bedroom to be small. Your bed probably won’t be as comfortable as your bed is here in the US. Most families do not have dishwashers or clothes driers.
CHECK LIST
Below is just a general checklist, and is by no means exhaustive.
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Valid Passport
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Professional/dressy clothing for clinic placements
This includes scrubs, white coat, dress pants, dress shirt, dress shoes and appropriate length skirts for females. -
Comfortable clothing for experiential tourism and for the “Wellness Ambassadors” trip
This includes a jacket (waterproof windbreaker is recommended) and comfortable shoes which you don’t mind getting dirty -
Small bag or suitcase for trips
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Sweater for cold nights in Arequipa
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Medication kit
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Sunscreen
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Hat
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English/Spanish Dictionary
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Goodwill articles: Stethoscope, blood pressure cuffs, gloves, sutures, masks, medical textbooks, old cameras, old smartphones, warm clothes, etc