9 days...

I went in to talk to the Anthro department chair this morning about getting some credits pre-approved for my study abroad courses. He told me to be careful not to get surrounded, attacked, and robbed by the children that run the streets in the slums of Lima. 
Good to know.

10 Days to Go

This is where I have to start asking the tough questions.


Which will make my housemates question my sanity the least, my lamb slippers or my bright red Dutch clog slippers?
How am I going to eat 2 large cucumbers, 3 zucchini, and a bag full of beets in the next 10 days? And also drink practically a whole box of coffee?
If I've never used bacitracin in my 22 years of living, is there still a chance I might regret not having packed it once I get to Peru?


Update: I just got a facebook message from my "host mom" in Peru. She seems really nice and told me to tell my parents not to worry because I'll be very well taken care of :)

Hola Amigos!

3 weeks from today, I will be on a plane to Lima.


I decided, in an effort to keep in touch with everyone, I would just start a blog, so if you want to know what's going on with me over there, then you can check in on here and drop me a comment. I'll try to write on a regular basis and post pics and stuff.


I just received info about my host family and the other students who will be studying through ISA (the study abroad organization) a couple of days ago. Here's what I found out:

Family Name:

Angeles de Blanco

Head of Household:

Rosa

Address:
Ricardo Tizón y Bueno 787

Jesús María
11 Lima, Peru

Phone:

2615882

Is internet access available?

Yes

Number of smokers in household?

Does family smoke inside?

No

Can students smoke inside?

No

Vegetarians welcome?

Yes

Gender Preference:

Either

Number of students the home can board:

6

Does family typically house other U.S. (non-ISA) students?

Yes

Does family typically house other non-U.S. students?:

Yes

Description of House:

The house is located in a peaceful neighborhood where there is permanent neighborhood watch, as well as supermarkets close by. The house has 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room and living room, and a small garden patio.

Description of Host Family:

After 5 years of hosting international students, Rosa is prepared to welcome any and all students, including those who are vegetarian or lactose intolerant. It is a very open environment that allows students to invite friends from school over to the house, as well as come and go as they please. ISA students will share the house with other international students. However, each student will have their own bedroom, which has a private bathroom.

Is family currently active?

Yes

Number of single rooms:

4

Zone:

Jesús Maria

This family has been hosting foreign students since:

2001

Can student have visitors in the home?

Yes

Can student leave luggage with family while traveling?

Yes

Can student receive phone calls?

Yes

Can student make local phone calls?

With calling card only

Can student make international phone calls?

With calling card only

Is there hot water all day?

Yes

Can student take more than one shower/day?

Yes

Can student use kitchen?

Yes

Number of Dogs:

1

Number of cats:

0

Number of other pets:

0

Are laundry facilities provided?

Yes

Are laundry services provided?

Yes

Are towels and linens provided?

Yes

How many meals are provided per day?

3

Is a cleaning service provided?

Yes

Facility phone number:

(511) 981140792

Facility email:

angelesrosa@hotmail.com

Distance To University:

Universidad del Pacifico: Walking (2-5 min) Metro (0 min) Pontifical Catholic University of Peru: Walking (35 min) Bus (20 min) University of San Ignacio de Loyola-Lima: Bus (50 min)

I'll be living in a pension, which is kind of like a boarding house. There's one other girl from ISA that will be living in the same house. She's from the University of Idaho. I'll be going to school at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, so at least I'll get my exercise walking to school everyday. I'm not sure yet what classes I'll be taking, because we register when we get there. But hopefully some linguistics and anthropology classes.

I'm also participating in a volunteer program through the same organization.  Here's the info I've received about that so far:

Program type:  Education 

Organization name: Colegio Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzman (Elementary School) 

Suggested Duties: Most volunteers will help out in English classes, either as the main instructor 

or as an English assistant to children and adolescents.  Volunteers can help facilitate arts and 

crafts activities as well as physical education classes.  We recommend bringing supplies for the 

students, such as crayons, markers, etc, as the school does not have resources to provide such 

items.  Volunteers can help organize after-school activities and fieldtrips for the children, be a 

mentor to the children, help them with their homework, etc.  

Tentative hours/schedule: Typically volunteers can work as much or as little as they would like.  

Participants can chose fewer hours if they are not seeking credit; however, ELAP participants 

generally volunteer at least 10 hours Monday – Friday mornings and afternoons.  There are 

definitely opportunities to volunteer more during the week, and you will work with the 

supervisor and on-site ELAP Coordinator upon arrival to determine your preferred workload and 

schedule. 

Also, be aware that you will have to take public transportation everywhere, at least 40 minutes 

for each ride, or you might walk if the organization is close.  Bring something along to keep 

yourself busy during the long rides

I'll also be doing research for my honors thesis while I'm there. So it's going to be a busy semester, but it should be a lot of fun!