FAQs

What kind of clothes do you suggest me to bring?

It depends on the program you choose. For those programs which take place in the north coast of Peru (Archaeology and Bioarchaeology in San José de Moro and Biomedical Project); you must wear lightweight clothes. Keep in mind that the archaeological field work is at the excavation site, so you will get dirty most of the time!!! For the Biomedical project students, you might have the chance to go to the beach, so be prepared for that too!!!

If your program includes a field trip to the highlands (Gastronomy, Political Sciences, Spanish and Inca Culture, and Ethnomusicology), then you should bring winter as well as summer clothes. At the Andean Highlands, you will be more than 3000 meters above the sea level. And keep in mind that during the day, it’s warm and sunny; but at night it could get really cold!!!

Finally, if your program includes a field trip to the rainforest (Gastronomy and Ethnobotany), you must wear lightweight clothes because it is hot and humid, but with long sleeves to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Usually it’s sunny and hot, but rainy too; so bring a lightweight raincoat if you have one.

Please, also be aware of the cold and damp Lima weather for the days you will spend at the capital! Some of the programs spend two weeks in Lima, so bring winter clothes!

Are there certain prerequistes for the Program?

Yes! Some of our programs have prerequisites and you must include them in your application documents.

• The Ethnobotany Program requires at least one botany, biology or ecology course.
• The Bioarchaeology Program requires experience for the intermediate level. But it’s mandatory to take an exam at the beginning of the course, so your teachers can decide if the experience you have is enough to take the level you’re applying to.
• The Spanish Intermediate and Advanced Level for the Program in Cusco requires between two and three semesters of Spanish. However, your teachers will decide the level you are, after you take an exam at the beginning of the course.
• The Ethnomusicology, Gastronomy, Biomedical Engineering and Political Sciences Programs, don’t have prerequisites; but it’s important to be familiar with the Spanish language in order to maximize your interaction with the community during the field trips.

Do I need any kind of vaccinations to assist to the Program?

You need vaccinations just for the Ethnobotany and Gastronomy Program, because you will have field trips to the rainforest. As you can see at http://www.peru.travel/en/useful-information-9-2 (“Before coming to Peru”), you need the yellow fever vaccination:

“It is recommended that you take the proper measures to protect yourself, specially from mosquito bites, in order to prevent infection from, among other diseases, yellow fever (vaccination) and malaria (repellant and medication). Consult your doctor before traveling”.

Do I have to speak Spanish to participate in the Field School?

No. Students don’t need to speak Spanish fluently, but it is advisable to be familiar with the language. Although all classes are completely taught in English, the Ethnomusicology, Gastronomy, Biomedical Engineering and Political Sciences programs have a lot of trips, interviews and interaction with the community. Most of the time, teachers translate the information in case their students don’t understand Spanish. But it is much better if you do, so you can make the most of this experience.

Should I have to take some medicine against “high sickness”?

You could have “high sickness” in Cusco or Huancayo (Andean highlands). It is not as usual as people think but there are specific medicines in Peru against “high sickness” that you could easily buy either in Lima or during your trip.

When I have to arrive and leave Peru?

The program’s fee includes accommodation from July 1st to August 1st. The orientation day is on July 2nd, so you must arrive in Lima no later than July 1st. If you get to Lima before July 1st or leave Peru after August 1st we can help you to find some accommodations.

How much money should I bring?

Even if the Programs cover all the accommodations, meals, transportations, and tickets, you can bring a 500$ budget in order to pay for some extra drinks, souvenirs or fancies.

What kind of visa do I need for Peru?

All international students HAVE TO enter with a TOURIST VISA (students will no longer have to ask for student visa at Peruvian consulates). Our migration’s office at the airport will give you a number of days to stay here. Usually they give more than 30 days so you won’t have problems. In case they give you less than the days you will be here, you would have to pay a dollar ($1) for each extra day. For example, if they give you 30 days and you will be here for 35 days, you would have to pay $5 when you leave the country. But that case is not very common.

Most countries in Western Europe and America do not require a visa. The citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Chile can enter up to certain regions of the country by presenting their identity card. The maximum permitted length of stay is 90 days. There are also some special cases, such as Mexico and China, which require student visa. For further and specific information visit: www.rree.gob.pe

 Will I have the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu or other tourist destinations?

Except from the Spanish and Inca Culture Program in Cusco, the program fee does not include visiting Machu Picchu. But most of you will have the chance to go if you buy your train and Machu Picchu tickets in advance.

For those who attend the Political Science, the Ethnomusicology and the Gastronomy programs: The program includes a field trip to Cusco and your teachers will give you a day free to go to Machu Picchu if you want to. If you are planning on going, please just contact us (fieldschool@pucp.edu.pe) or your teachers when you arrive, so you can know the exact day you will have free.

For those who attend the Archaeology and Bioarchaeology, the Ethnobotany and the Biomedical programs: You will spend most of the time hear between Lima and the North Coast of Peru which are a bit far from Cusco, where Machu Picchu is located. You will have though, the opportunity to visit other tourist destinations there. Most of those trips are included in the program fee, but in case they are not; it is not expensive to travel around. In some cases you won’t have much time to travel by yourself, so if you want to visit some specific sites, we strongly recommend you to talk to your teachers at the beginning of the program. In case you want to go to Machu Picchu, you will have to do it before or after the program.

For more information about Machu Picchu and other tourist destinations within Peru, please visit: http://www.peru.travel/en/ and http://www.perurail.com/en/. There you can also find some other advices in order to plan your trip and much more information about our country (weather, currency, electricity, etc.).