Travel Abroad in Peru

Whenever traveling abroad or even in another city in the US that you are unfamiliar with it is necessary to have common sense. The part about traveling is that most of us look like tourists so we are easy targets. My roommate got her phone stolen while at a club as well as another girl. My top rules about safety while traveling abroad are as follows:
Travel in pairs. Never travel in alone outside, leaving or going out at night, or in a cab. The buddy system is key.
Be aware of the situation. Now where you are and if you feel uncomfortable you are better off leaving.
Listen to your professors and your TA! Their job is to keep you safe and they have done this before.
Be aware of your personal belongings. Do not keep things in you back pocket and if you travel with a purse, keep it on the front part of you body or at least the zipper.
Monitor the situation of the country. While in Peru, there were presidential elections so we were away that there were protests in the streets of down town Lima. They were all peaceful but it is a good idea to steer clear of those situations.
One thing I have learned specifically on this trip is that exchanging money is easier in cash than it is taking it out from an ATM. I have never been charged an ATM fee in Europe but here each ATM charges about $5. The exchange rate from dealers on the street who are provided by a bank give a much better rate and the transaction is simple. Another good tip is that it is good to bargain for a better price especially in tourist souvenir shops and street carts. The vendors will jack up the prices because you are a tourist and not used to haggling for prices.