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High School in Peru

Seize the opportunity to get to know this ancient and diverse culture, from the modern metropolis of Lima to the ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu.

Study Abroad in Peru

Living with a host family and attending a local school in Peru will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich blend of ancient traditions, world-renowned music, and culinary heritage. Peru is located on the West Coast of South America, south of the Equator. The country’s landscapes and climate vary with each ecological zone, creating a unique mosaic of different cultures, influences, and histories. Peru has roughly three natural regions: the Coast, the Mountains (“La Sierra”) and the Jungle (“La Selva.”) Peru contains 80 of the 120 world ecological habitats, from deserts to tropical rainforests and tundra, from steep mountains to the deepest canyon and “Caribbean” beaches.

Things to Know About Peru

During your time in Peru, you’ll meet new people and learn lots of new things, and in your spare time you’ll hang out with your host family. The Peruvian communication style tends to be very subtle and indirect, and Peruvians are known to be hard workers who are very family-oriented. There is a tremendous amount of multiculturalism in Peru, with sizable populations of Europeans, Indigenous peoples, Peruvians of African descent, and people of Asian heritage. Because Peruvians come from many backgrounds – due to ethnic composition, geography, climate, and socio-economic status – there are many ways of doing things. By watching and asking questions, you will quickly learn about your own host family’s habits. In many cities and villages, there are traditional Inca celebrations as well as a wide variety of Christian holidays, and you’re bound to see lots of festivals and carnivals throughout the year. You’ll likely see people dressed in colorful woven clothing walking through towns, often with a child on their back. There are also many opportunities to see the llamas and alpacas that provide most of the wool for Peruvian clothing in the wintertime!

What's included in your experience

  • Airfare

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? Yes, high school graduates are eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA Must be in good academic standing (recommended GPA of 2.5 or above)
Age Range (at program start) 15 years and 0 months to 17 years and 6 months
Language Skills Spanish A1 Basic expressions to have a basic conversation; Students should have at least a basic Spanish level.

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Peru

AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Peru will begin when you land in Lima, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Peruvian culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures. After orientation, you’ll meet your host family and officially kick off your journey in Peru. On the way to your host community, you might see lush tropical rainforests, sandy beaches, arid deserts, farmlands, and fishing villages.

Peru_Daily Host Family

Meeting Your Peruvian Host Family

You might be placed anywhere in Peru but you’ll most likely live in an urban area. Whether you’re among the peaks of the Andes or the tree canopies of the Amazon you’ll likely find a friendly and welcoming community. Peruvian families are well known for their hospitality and can be very affectionate. You might find that the Peruvian sense of privacy is a little different from what you’re used to, but that’s just because Peruvian families enjoy each others company so much! Peruvian families usually have three or more children and extended family or adult children often live together as well.

Peru_Daily Life

Settling into Daily Life

Teenage Life in Peru

Outside of school a lot of your time will probably be spent socializing with new friends. Peruvian teenagers enjoy hanging out at cafes and playing soccer. Since Peru has such a long coastline and lots of beautiful beaches, surfing has become quite popular in recent years. Dancing is another favorite pastime for young people in Peru and most schools have dance teams that compete. In the evenings, teenagers often just hang out at home with their families and watch TV.

Peru_School

Your High School

Education is taken very seriously in Peru. You’ll most likely be at a private school. Most schools start around 8 AM and end around 2 or 3 PM. Students generally take 3 or 4 classes per day. During your time in school, you’ll have a great opportunity to learn about Peruvian culture and history and share your own culture with your classmates as well. You will likely be able to participate in extra-curricular activities to further immerse yourself in the life of a Peruvian teen and explore your interests.

Peru_Food

Foods You’ll Encounter

Peruvian cuisine is well known and highly regarded and reflects the range of Peruvian society. Most Peruvians are used to two main meals: lunch and dinner. Breakfast is quick and light: expect simple things like milk, coffee, bread, or cheese, with fruit or juice. Many of the dishes are influenced by European, Asian, African, and indigenous flavors. Some common ingredients include rice, chicken, fish, and beans. Potatoes are native to Peru and there are over 4,000 varieties! Meat is very popular in Peru and you may even get a chance to try Guinea Pig, a Peruvian favorite.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

Learn More

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Peru? Yes
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country) In Host Country
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex) Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses
($ – $$$)		 $$$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

What's Included

  • 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 dedicated volunteers
  • Accommodations with a vetted host family
  • Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
  • School enrollment fees
  • Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
  • Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
  • Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
  • International secondary medical travel coverage
  • Visa support and guidance
  • Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in Peru, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Peru.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.