FAQ TESOL in Peru

1 . When is the application deadline?^

Students must submit their application, application fee, and a $500 non-refundable deposit by October 31, 2011.  Please contact us for more information: ma-tesl@gonzaga.edu.

2 . What airport should I fly into?^

From the United States you will fly into the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima.   From Lima you will fly into the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco.   The flight from Lima to Cusco is approximately one hour.

Diana Candia, dianacandia@gmail.com, will be making all the air reservations.  Once you've confirmed attendance, she will be in immediate contact with you!

3 . What day should I arrive?^

We recommend you arrive to Cusco on December 31 or January 1, 2012.  Please consider that international travel time can take between 7 to 15 hours depending on your flight.   Diana Candia will assist you with your air reservations.

4 . What day should I depart from Peru?^

The course finishes on January 13.  ^{It is recommended that you depart on January 14 or 15, 2012.}

5 . Where will the Spanish lesssons take place?^

Students will take Spanish lessons in CAV (Cuerpo de Apoyo Voluntario - Body of Volunteer Support) Spanish School.  This school provides Spanish classes to volunteers from all over the world who travel to Urubamba and surrounding areas through NGO's.  All students are tested on the first day and placed in the most appropriate level.  Beginners to advanced speakers of Spanish encouraged!

6 . What about accommodations and meals?^

TESOL in Peru students have the following three options when it comes to accommodation:
1. Staying in the Spanish school: CAV is able to provide lodging for two students.  This option would allow one student per room, a shared bathroom, and full access to the kitchen and school facilities.

2.  Hotel: Students who choose to stay in the hotel have the option of a single, double, or triple room accommodations with a private bathroom.  If you choose to share a hotel room, please let us know who you will like to room with, if you have a preference.

3.  Staying with a host family: Students who stay with a host family will have the opportunity to practice their Spanish and experience the culture of the Andes more closely by interacting on a daily basis with people from the community.  Single and double rooms may be available depending on each family's accommodation.

All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) will be provided, except on weekends.  Please notify us if you are allergic to certain foods or do not eat meat.

Students will be placed in the accommodation of their choice depending on availability.  When you register please let us know your first, second and third choice.

7 . How about weekend activities and cultural excursions?^

First weekend – Tour of Machu Picchu

First weekend -  Tour of Inca and Pre-Inca archeological sites of the Sacred Valley of the Incas which include Moray and Salineras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac ruins.

8 . Can I live with a host family?^

Yes, please see accommodation question above.

9 . How can I get from the airport to my accommodation?^

Airport pickup will be arranged for you on the day you arrive.  Once you've applied, please contact Diana Candia at dianacandia@gmail.com to book your flight and to ensure transportation from the airport. 

10 . What can I expect in terms of workload?^

Your professors will set up a Blackboard site for these types of curriculum questions prior to your departure!  

11 . What does the program fee include?^

Program fee includes the following (please contact Melissa Heid for GU undergraduate student costs):  

·         TESOL certificate

·         Three undergraduate or graduate credits for “Principles and Practice of Language Teaching”,

·         Spanish classes,

·         Double room accommodations in the hotel, OR single room in the Spanish School, OR stay with a host family,

·         All meals (except weekends), including a welcome dinner on Saturday, December 27^th and a farewell dinner on Saturday, January 9^th,

·         Daily transportation to and from ESL classes,

·         Cultural excursions (For Machupicchu includes transportation; train tickets; entrance fees; professional tour guide.  For the Sacred Valley of the Incas includes transportation; entrance to Moray, Salineras, Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins; and professional tour guide.  For the Cusco City Tour includes transportation; entrances to Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay; and a professional tour guide.

·         A Peruvianultural Presentation,

·         Airport pick-up/drop-off

Program fee of $4350 includes:

·         Same as above, except for a single hotel room instead of a shared hotel room.

Not included:

·         Airline tickets

12 . Do I need a passport?^

Yes, in order to travel outside of the US, you will need to get a passport.  Please click on the following link for instructions on how to get one: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

13 . Do I need a student visa?^

Yes, regardless of where you are from, you will need to obtain a student visa.   Once you have registered for the course, you will need to provide the Study Abroad office with your passport so they can send it to the Peruvian Consulate for a visa.  You will also need to provide a notarized photocopy of your ID.  If you are an international student, you will need to provide a notarized copy of your I-20.   The fee to obtain a visa is $15.

14 . Do I need to be a Gonzaga student to enroll?^

No, all interested individuals are welcome to apply!  Please contact us for more information: ma-tesl@gonzaga.edu

15 . How much is a ticket to Lima, Peru?^

Tickets to Peru can range between $700 to $1300 depending on the season.  In order to find the lowest rates for December, you should consider purchasing your ticket far in advance.  It is highly recommended that you purchase your ticket by September.  Please contact Diana Candia at dianacandia@gmail.com for airline ticket assistance and to ensure travel on the same flight with the rest of the TESOL in Peru group.