FAQ

Whether you are a program participant, faculty leader, administrator or parent, we understand that there are a lot of questions about health and safety in Peru, as well as important information to know before, during and after the program. Check out the following “Frequently Asked Questions”, and if there’s anything you’re still curious about, please contact the Experiential Learning Program Manager, Anna Galbraith anna@alianzaandina.org and we will get back to you promptly.

We look forward to working with you,

The AASD team

Before

WHAT SHOULD PARTICIPANTS PACK?
Current passport, plus photocopy
Additional ID
Daypack
Water bottle
Sunglasses
Prescription glasses and/or contacts
Cash and ATM cards (note that many places in Peru are cash only, but ATMs are available)
Toiletries
Diarrhea medication (Imodium or Pepto) for traveler’s diarrhea (very common)
Prescription or allergy medication, if needed
Band aids
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Electronics (adapter not needed in Peru unless bringing high voltage appliances)
Bags for keeping items dry
Travel towel
The weather can change drastically within a day, and even with hours. Be prepared with layers and rain gear! Temperatures can fluctuate between 45-80 degrees, with moments of intense sun or rain.
Where we work is still culturally conservative. Tank tops and shorts are uncommon outside of the major cities.
Clothes for working on farm/in communities (be prepared to get dirty/wet)
Casual, comfortable clothes for leisure activities
Warm layer: jacket or sweatshirt
Heavier jacket for nights/mornings/temperature drops
Rain poncho or jacket and rain pants
Hat with brim
Warm hat (Can also purchase once here!)
Sleepwear (also recommend thermal underwear to use for chilly nights)
Swimsuit (for hot springs)
Sandals or flip-flops
Hiking boots
Hiking socks (wool is good)
Comfortable shoes for walking/leisure activities

WHAT SHOULD PARTICIPANTS KNOW ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY PRIOR TO ARRIVAL?
Participants’ safety while in Peru is of the highest importance to the AASD and we work hard to ensure their health and wellbeing. However, we recognize that the area where we live and work presents adherent risks. Steps have been taken to manage these risks, but nothing can guarantee complete protection from harm. The AASD recommends that participants take the time to familiarize themselves with research of the area and the possible health hazards before committing to a program and that all possible steps are taken for personal protection. In addition to this due diligence, It is the responsibility of every participant to follow the guidelines laid out in the policies, protocols, and procedures of the Student Handbook and we invite you to do the same.

WHAT VACCINATIONS SHOULD PARTICIPANTS GET BEFORE COMING TO PERU?
Because of the high altitude, Calca does not have problems with mosquitoes or mosquito born illnesses. The CDC suggests that travelers to all parts of Peru make sure they are up to date on routine vaccines, as well as Hepatitis A and Typhoid, as these can be contracted through contaminated water or food. The AASD recommends that participants consult a travel doctor 4-6 weeks prior to the trip to learn what vaccines or other precautions are recommended for this area.

To avoid waterborne illness, participants can bring a water filtration system (water pump, Steripen, or drops). The AASD will have filtered water available at the office and homestay locations. Bottled water is also available for purchase.

For information on personal health and safety while traveling, the CDC is a good resource: Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel

WHAT ARE THE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELING TO PERU?
There is no visa requirement to enter Peru, and all airport taxes are usually included in the cost of the flight. Upon entry into Peru, participants will go through customs, where they will receive a tourist visa stamp that is valid for 30-183 days. For programs or travel lasting longer than 30 days, participants simply need to ask for the required amount of time at airport customs.

WHAT INFORMATION DO PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE PRIOR TO ARRIVAL?
All participants will receive the Student Handbook, which goes into detail about health, safety and other important information, policies, protocols, and procedures. All participants are required to read this handbook prior to arriving in Peru. Supplemental information about their specific program is also provided to ensure full understanding of what is expected of them during the program. The AASD ensures that all participants have plenty of opportunities to ask questions prior to arrival. We ask students to submit flight information, health and dietary considerations, allergies, insurance information, and an emergency contact before the start of the program.

There are many websites that offer travel advice and can help participants prepare for their time in Peru. We encourage participants to do their own due diligence before they arrive. Here are a few suggested websites to get started:
U.S. Passports and International Travel- Peru
U.S. Relations with Peru

DOES THE PARTICIPANT NEED TO KNOW SPANISH OR QUECHUA?
AASD programs vary in terms of specific language requirements. If there is a base language requirement for their program this will be discussed with the participant during the initial interview phase. While it is recommended that all participants have a basic conversational level of Spanish, this is not required for many programs. We hope participants will be motivated to interact with locals and speak as much Spanish as they can during their time in Peru in order to get the most out of their experience. If participants are interested in studying spanish before the program, we can offer suggestions for applications, Spanish schools, and more.

Quechua is one of Peru’s official languages and is commonly spoken in indigenous communities. Depending on the program itinerary, it is likely that participants will interact with community members that speak Quechua. Participants are not required to know Quechua, as the AASD employs interpreters for community site visits. That being said, it can be fun to learn a few phrases to show off!

ARE PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE?
All participants are required to have health insurance during the AASD program. Participants should see about international coverage through their insurance provider or school insurance provider. If a participant does not have international medical insurance and would like to purchase it, there are many providers listed on the internet. We have found that Travel Insured International, World Nomads, International Medical Group, and Atlas Travel are a few companies that provide reasonably priced insurance. In addition, we have included a few other resources to help participants find the insurance.

Please note, all insurance costs are the responsibility of the participant.
Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage
Frommers.com’s Top 8 Travel Insurance Providers
Worldwide Top Health Insurance Companies

DO PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE IN PERU?
For specific prescription medicine, it is highly recommended to bring an ample supply that is appropriate to the participant’s medical needs, as well as a copy of their prescription from their doctor. There are many pharmacies around Calca and nearby areas where medicine can be purchased to treat minor illnesses and discomforts. A member of the AASD staff is able to accompany participants or help them buy these supplies.

SHOULD A PARTICIPANT MAKE COPIES OF DOCUMENTS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
Participants should make multiple copies of their passport, insurance information, and credit cards. They should bring one copy with them to Peru and leave another copy with their emergency contact.

WHAT IF THE PARTICIPANT’S PASSPORT IS CLOSE TO EXPIRING?
Participants must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the intended return date.

SHOULD PARTICIPANTS CONSIDER GETTING AN INTERNATIONAL CALLING PLAN?
The program itineraries are generally designed to take place during the week from 9:00am-5:00 pm. During this time frame, participants will have limited access to the internet, and even outside of these hours internet can be unreliable in Peru. If participants wish to have a means of consistent and reliable contact during the program, we suggest they purchase an International Calling Plan through their cellular provider or purchase a burner phone that works for making international calls.

During

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PARTICIPANT CALLS ME ABOUT A PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING IN PERU?
A new country, language, and culture can present many challenges for participants. Despite our best efforts to prepare them for the reality of their experience, it is common for expectations to be challenged by what participants experience or observe once they are on the ground in Peru. This is often expressed as frustration, homesickness or culture shock. When this happens, participants may seek support and reinforcement from home. It is helpful to highlight the opportunities of this once-in-a-lifetime experience while acknowledging the challenges as well.

Travel abroad is an amazing experience where many participants exercise new levels of independence and are able to push the boundaries of their comfort zone. The AASD encourages personal autonomy by treating participants over the age of 18 as adults, capable of making their own decisions regarding health and travel. During the welcome orientation, we encourage participants to communicate directly with AASD staff in the case of any problems or concerns. This does not mean that we discourage communication with parents, however, we are able to more quickly and effectively address concerns that are brought to our attention directly rather than through a third party. To avoid problematic communication and third-party intervention, the AASD does routine check-ins with participants, however, it is the participant’s responsibility to communicate to the AASD any problem they are experiencing.

We encourage participants to communicate with anyone back home and to keep family members updated on their experience and health. We ask parents to call their child directly for updates when possible, rather than calling AASD staff to check on their child. We find that keeping open lines of communication between the participant and the AASD, and the participant and parents, helps ensure that problems are promptly dealt with and parents are not left wondering and worrying.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PARTICIPANT GETS SICK DURING THE PROGRAM?
Should an illness require professional medical attention, the participant should directly bring this to the attention of an AASD staff member. We have a doctor on call to come and assess all health concerns and are prepared to take the participant to an emergency clinic or hospital in Cusco as the situation requires. However, we are unable to help if we do not know about a health concern. It is very important that medical problems be conveyed to us by the participant in a timely manner so we can get the help that is needed.

Another pillar of our safety procedures is the relationships we have fostered in the communities where we live and work. The AASD has established ties with many healthcare professionals and medical consultants, who are available to support our program staff and program participants should a need arise.

The AASD prioritizes the safety of our programs participants. We will not take avoidable risks with transportation or in any other way put program participants in harm’s way. For this reason, some programs may be altered or changed to respond to emergent safety issues such as landslides, political unrest, or unsafe traveling conditions.

Please note that the cost of medications and doctor’s visits is not included in the program fee, and it is the responsibility of the participant to pay for these. In most cases these expenses will be reimbursed by travel insurance, so we recommend participants are familiar with the procedures for applying for reimbursement through their provider.

In the event of a severe medical emergency requiring that a participant return home, the AASD will help with travel arrangements if needed. Once again, all associated costs will be the responsibility of the participant.

WHERE WILL THE PARTICIPANT LIVE?
There are two living options in Calca for participants depending on the type of program. These options are either hostels, or homestays, both share the same basic amenities. Hostels are ideal for short-term programs where the whole group stays in one location. For homestays, participants are separated into small groups to stay at the residence of a local family. This option allows them to get the best of both worlds- cultural immersion and camaraderie with fellow classmates. Currently, the AASD does not offer individual homestays for participants. The type of accommodation will be determined by the AASD prior to the program start and will be conveyed to the students so they can prepare for their stay.

All accommodation is fairly basic, but will include at a minimum: running water, electricity, shared bathrooms, hot showers, clean drinking water, private beds (sometimes in a shared, gender-specific room), and communal spaces for socializing.

CAN THE AASD ACCOMMODATE DIETARY NEEDS?
Most typical Peruvian dishes have some type of meat, egg or dairy. Participants must let the AASD know about any type of dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) or allergies prior to arrival. The AASD will do our best to ensure these dietary needs are accommodated throughout the program. Participants with dietary restrictions should be aware that there may not be a lot of meal diversity depending on their dietary needs, and they will most likely be eating similar meals throughout the duration of the program. In the past, participants with dietary needs have overcome some of these obstacles by bringing snacks from home and learning about typical Peruvian dishes that do/can accommodate their diet. On-site, the AASD staff will be able to give some recommendations depending on the specific dietary needs of the participant.

HOW OFTEN WILL I COMMUNICATE WITH THE PARTICIPANT DURING THE PROGRAM?
An important aspect of the study abroad process is for participants to find the balance between staying in touch with their loved ones and fully investing in their experience in Peru. Participants should utilize communication resources without allowing them to detract from their study abroad experience.

It is the responsibility of the participant to determine how and when to communicate with you. Participants will have limited access to the internet in Calca, both due to their busy schedule, and the unreliability of service providers in this area. If participants wish to have a form of consistent and reliable contact during the program, we suggest looking into International Calling Plans through their cellular provider.

WILL THE PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Cusco sits at 3400 m (11200 ft). Symptoms of altitude sickness are common during the first few days of travel due to a lower amount of oxygen available in the air. A mild headache, tiredness, and loss of appetite are normal responses that require rest and patience until acclimatized. The over-the-counter drug Diamox can be taken as a preventative (we recommend purchasing this ahead of time and bringing it to Peru, as it can be hard to find in Calca). Participants should be aware of the symptoms, inform AASD staff, and take appropriate actions (rest, drink plenty of water or electrolyte drinks, sip on medicinal coca leaf tea, avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy eating) to help with acclimation- everyone reacts differently. We are very used to this process and prepared to be flexible with scheduling and participation early in the program.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DISASTER?
In the unlikely event of a natural disaster or other country-level emergencies, all program participants are instructed to meet at the AASD home office to be accounted for. Program leads will be responsible for transportation from communities if participants are in the field at the outbreak of the event. Contact with families will be made as soon as possible to provide them with updates as required by the situation. If participants are not traveling with a school or other group that provides emergency evacuation insurance, private evacuation insurance is widely available. Once again, note that the costs associated with purchasing insurance are solely the responsibility of the participant.

For information about emergent problems and government warnings worldwide, see the government travel alert page:
Alerts and Warnings

WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT THE AASD?
Should the family of a program participant need to reach the participant in the event of a pressing emergency at home, they should contact the Program Manager. The Program Manager will be able to contact the student if they are in the field and facilitate any necessary action. Please only reach out to the Program Manager in an emergency, as they will be unlikely to disrupt the program for minor concerns. Email and other forms of communication should be used to communicate directly with participants for matters that are not time sensitive and highly important. We encourage families to wait for participants to contact them for updates, as reaching students can be challenging due to the limited internet and cell service in the areas where we work.

After

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PARTICIPANT AFTER THE PROGRAM?
Let participants share pictures and talk about their experiences in Peru. They may compare Peru to the U.S. quite often, and the comparison may not seem to paint the U.S. in the best light. This is normal for students returning from abroad experience. Let them reflect on their time in Peru and how their experience has impacted them upon return. It is possible that the participant’s experiences lead him or her to a brand new career path or a life-long interest. This is often a direct result of the highly satisfying experience and opens many new doors for them.

Resources

For more information about the AASD’s policies, procedures and protocols, please check out the Student Handbook

For information on personal health and safety while traveling, the CDC is a good resource:
Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel

There are many websites that offer travel advice and can help participants prepare for their time in Peru. We encourage participants to do their own due diligence before they arrive. Here are a few suggested websites to get started:
U.S. Passports and International Travel- Peru
U.S. Relations with Peru

Health Insurance Information and Providers:
Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage
Frommers.com’s Top 8 Travel Insurance Providers
Worldwide Top Health Insurance Companies

For information about emergent problems and government warnings worldwide, see the government travel alert page:
Alerts and Warnings