Lima, the capital of Peru, is a Pacific coastal city full of fascinating contrasts between traditional and modern influences. Dating back to 2000 B.C., Lima was home to pre-Inca civilizations as well as other cultures whose indigenous traditions and languages still thrive today. City districts are filled with museums, colonial churches, vibrant café scenes, striking architecture, and friendly people. Lima is the ideal service-learning destination for participants who want to experience the culture and vibrancy of a large Latin American city while still having easy access to the country’s natural wonders. Service-learning participants in Lima can use their skills to work in sectors like education, environment, family and youth development, and human rights. Learn about marine life, raise awareness about environmental issues, or work with at-risk youth to help the organizations better the lives of its community members. Complete your service-learning program in this scenic beach paradise!

Participants may work with their home university to receive academic credit for their program. Each academic institution has a unique policy for granting internship, service-learning and experiential learning credit, thus students should inquire about receiving academic credit with their home university advisors, professors, and/or academic department heads. Many ISA Service-Learning participants have successfully received “Independent Study,” “Internship,” “Directed Studies,” or “Special Topics” credit for their program by presenting their Portfolio.

ISA Service-Learning has partnered with Carroll College in Helena, Montana, to offer a U.S. transcript and award lower division service-learning academic credits for ISA Service-Learning programs. Credit awarded will be based on the successful completion of the ISA Service-Learning Portfolio and the number of contact hours accrued at the host organization. 

Participants will be able to earn 3 credits for the following programs: 4 and 6-week full-time programs, ISA Semester/Summer + Service-Learning, ISA Intensive Month + Service-Learning.

Participants will be able to earn 6 credits for the following programs: 8 week (or more) full-time programs.

The additional cost of academic credit is $300, and includes a transcript with either a pass/fail or a letter grade from Carroll College.

ISA Service-Learning strongly recommends that students receive confirmation from their home institution that credit transfer will be accepted.

The majority of ISA participants stay in homestays in Peru. Each homestay has been carefully selected by our resident staff in order to accommodate participants' specific needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays are a great way to for participants to immerse themselves in Peruvian culture and practice Spanish language. You may have your own individual room or share a room with another ISA participant. Homestays include three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and laundry service is provided at least once per week. Internet
access may be available in some homestays.

A pensión is similar to a host family; however, pensiones provide housing to other international students. This housing option includes three meals per day, seven days per week. Participants may be expected to coordinate meals with the meal schedule of the pensión. Laundry service varies by pensión. This is a great option for participants who are more independent and would like to live with a larger number of students in a homestay setting. Internet access may be available in some pensiónes.

Residencias are occupied by international and Peruvian students. At the residencia, students may have their own bedroom or share a room (depending on the room chosen). Bathrooms and common living areas are shared. Residencias do not include meals, but students will have access to the kitchen and storage area at the residencia. All residencias include wi-fi and some include a computer lab.

You may opt to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price. By choosing to opt out of ISA Service-Learning housing, you are solely responsible for researching and reserving housing, and paying all fees, deposits, and rent directly to the housing facility that you choose.

Participants will enter the country on a tourist visa which they will obtain upon arrival at their port of entry. The tourist visa is a stamp that is placed in passports by immigration which is valid for up to 183 days.

Please note that non-U.S. citizens should contact their Consulate to verify specific entry requirements. As these requirements vary based on citizenship, non-U.S. citizens may not be permitted to travel to Peru without a visa or outside of their visa dates. Also, visa fees for non-U.S. citizens may differ so please be sure to check specific Consulate's website for the most up to date information.

Note: Embassy and Consulate contact information is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate to verify information.