Lima is massive. It’s the most populous city in the country, with over 9 million people and 30 districts. I live in San Borja, a landlocked district. Though I’m only 4 miles from the coast, it can take me anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour to see the sea. That’s because traffic in Lima is insane. Many peruanos here have joked that there are more cars in the city than people. Not only is the scale of traffic immense, but the manner of driving is startling as well. The only way to describe driving in Lima is anarchy. Total anarchy. The lines on the road? Mere suggestions no one follows. Cars, motorcycles, buses, and makeshift carts merge aggressively within inches of each other. Only major intersections have traffic lights—and a four lane avenue intersecting a two lane road is not considered “major” here. I tend to drive aggressively in the States, so I am not too bothered, but another student I live with is only comfortable in the car with her eyes shut. I have also noticed that the homes here are unique as well. Due to security reasons, all homes have a one-story high wall circling their property. These walls are topped with spikes or barbed wire. Walking on the streets can sometimes feel strange, being lined with high walls on one side, and blaring car horns on the other. The city’s security issue is the chief complaint of many limeños. Petty theft and violent crimes against tourists and citizens alike are not uncommon. Despite this, Peruvians are very proud of their country. The country’s economic boom of the past twenty years, coupled with declining terrorist activity, is a source of pride for many peruanos. Furthermore, many Peruvians are very proud of their country’s beauty, ecological diversity, and rich culture.
My program coordinator in Lima is also the site director for CIS. So though I am the only ASA student in Lima, I spent my orientation with other girls from CIS. Our director, Patricia, took us to museums, restaurants, and cultural sites that she thought best described Lima. I have really enjoyed my orientation with Patricia, since she tailored the program to our interests. We visited the Indian markets, a popular strip of bars in Barranco, and the beach in Miraflores. She also took us to Lunahuana, a small town several hours outside of Lima, where we could go white-water rafting and soak up some sun (during winter months, Lima is always overcast, with very little rain). More than anything, I have enjoyed the food in Lima. Many cultures are represented in Lima, and this is most clearly manifested in the city’s gastronomy. While with Patricia, I have eaten ceviche (a unique dish of raw fish with onions, lemon, and more), alfajores (a popular pastry), and anticucho (cow heart). Patricia has also promised to take us to her favorite chifa, or Chinese restaurant, and her favorite pizzeria.
In Lima, I am attending La Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, or USIL. USIL hosts the most international students in the country, and the university is very proud of its exchange program. I was surprised to see over 100 exchange students from across the world at orientation. The majority of students are from Europe, with Germany alone represented by 35 students. However, a sizeable number of students are also from France, Austria, China, South Korea, and the USA. Orientation included presentations on academics, university regulations, life in Lima, security, tips for travelling, and extracurricular activities. USIL encourages its international students to participate in various sports and cultural clubs. I was impressed by the number and diversity of organizations the university has, such as a cappella groups, a ping pong club, and taekwondo lessons. USIL also has a social responsibility office that organizes volunteering events and workshops, which I am excited to learn more about. Orientation ended with a presentation of traditional Peruvian dances, organized by the student ambassadors of the university. These ambassadors actively engage the international students in academics and night life to ensure that the students get the most out of their stay in Peru. I have already met several ambassadors who have gone above and beyond in helping me. Overall, I am very impressed with USIL’s program, and I am eager to begin classes and meet other Peruvian and international students.
