CIEE Business and Society Program in Lima, Peru

  Peru

• Lima: 
Lima

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Throughout the year 
Dates: Fall 23 weeks: mid-July-early-December; Spring 23 weeks: late February-mid July; Academic Year 52 weeks: mid-July-late July; Calendar Year 46 weeks: late February-early-December

Description: The Business and Society program offers students studying business, economics, and related fields the opportunity to improve their Spanish language skills within a business context, take courses alongside Peruvian students,and learn about Peruvian society and culture. These goals are achieved through an intensive three-week Spanish language program, a Spanish for Business required course, direct enrollment at the Universidad del Pacifico, cultural activities, and an optional non-credit internship.

Academic Program
The Business and Society program at the CIEE Study Center in Lima, which opened in spring 2007, provides students with the opportunity to improve their Spanish in the business context, learn about Peruvian culture and society, and take courses alongside Peruvians in accounting, business, economics, and mathematics to fulfill their major field of study. In addition, the program offers the opportunity to observe and even participate in Peru's economy and business management practices through company visits and community engagement.

Academic Culture
Classes at UP tend to be smaller and more innovative than other traditional Latin American universities. Courses include lectures, discussion, group work, and student presentations. In addition, some courses are held in a seminar-format, use case studies, and make use of technology. Subjects are taught by well-known teachers from both the business and academic communities who combine a theoretical foundation with knowledge obtained through experience. The average class size is 20 to 30 students. In many classes, CIEE students may be the only foreigners.

A year-long program of study in Lima can begin either during the North American fall or spring semester. Academic year students who begin their study during the North American fall semester have a three month break between semesters and are encouraged to travel in Latin America or participate in the CIEE Intensive Language and Culture Program in Brazil. There is a break of about four weeks between the spring and fall semesters.

The first semester of the academic year in Lima begins in late February and ends in mid-July, and the second semester begins in early August and ends in mid-December.

Highlights:

• Intensive three-week language program prior to the start of the semester and a Spanish for Business course with related company visits during the semester
  
• Courses with Peruvian students working on degrees in business administration, marketing, and economics
  
• Opportunity for hands-on work with community initiatives related to business through site visits and an optional non-credit internship
  
• Longer field trip outside of Lima to reveal the diverse cultural and historical heritage of Peru

In addition, there is a longer field trip to a place of cultural interest that explores the history and culture of Peru through lectures and tours by locals. Other shorter excursions may include visiting a functioning coffee farm just above the Amazon basin, Paracas National Preserve, and camping in nearby Lunahuaná.

Immersion
Community Involvement
The Universidad del Pacífico aims to instill the values of social consciousness and corporate responsibility in its students and you will be strongly encouraged to take a course called Proyeccion Social (Community Outreach).

In this course, students become advisors for entrepreneurs who are working in impoverished areas of metropolitan Lima. They help these small businesses organize their firms and design their business and marketing plans. This experience provides CIEE and Peruvian students a first-hand approach to the informal economy of developing countries like Peru and to the functioning of an economy based on small enterprises. Furthermore, students have the option to put their social consciousness to practice through a noncredit, extra-curricular internship as part of the Proyeccion Social course.

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes