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Education Abroad Office

Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas

Area: Exchange Program
Location: Lima
Country: Peru
Term: Spring, Fall, Academic Year
Website: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas

USC's exchange program with Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) in Lima, Peru is designed to expose American students to Peruvian language, life, and culture. A city of 9 million people, Lima offers USC students the opportunity to experience South American culture in a cosmopolitan setting. While in Peru, students can enjoy beaches, the modern and historical city of Lima, and Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world. 

Built in 1994, UPC is known as Peru's first global university. The institution places a strong importance on internationalization and interculturality.  UPC employs a student centered learning approach, which makes students active participants in the learning process.  UofSC students will be studying at the Monterrico campus. 

Cost: USC resident tuition rates + in-country costs

Requirements: 3.0 GPA, 4 semesters of college level Spanish. Language requirements can be waived for students taking courses in  Hospitality and Administration or Tourism and Administration. 

Lima is a major world city, and therefore students should prepare themselves for a higher cost of living as compared to other locations in Latin America. Students pay in-state tuition and fees to UofSC, and should plan to pay between $500- $750/month for rent, meals, personal expenses, and school supplies.

Students typically earn 12-15 credit hours per semester. UPC  offers a variety of courses in Hospitality, Business, Communications, and the Humanities.  Courses available in English vary each year and students will need to contact the Education Abroad office for this list.   

Students have an option to take pre-defined courses and workshops in order to obtain an international certificate on a subject. Certificates will be offered in Spanish and students can choose from three specializations: Administration and Marketing, Administration and  International Business,  and Communications. 

To see courses USC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table

As part of their course work, students can take part in cultural immersion activities either in person or virtually, depending on current COVID policies. UPC also has a lively campus life; students can enjoy watching UPC sports, take part in extracurricular clubs, and attending cultural Fridays, which includes workshops, exhibitions, and presentations on a variety of topics. 

Per university policy, all USC students will be charged emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance for their time abroad. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details. 

 Exchange students at UPC are placed in homestays  with local Peruvian families or in a student residence if space is available. Students will have individual or shared rooms, pending space available. Prices range from approximately $350 to $600 per month. Homestay applications are available on the UPC application form. Students not assigned to homestays or student residences are responsible for securing independent housing. Information about possible options will be sent to the student following their application with UPC.

 USC students can attend UPC in the spring, fall or for the academic year. The spring semester runs from March to July, and the fall semester runs from August to December. 

 Students must plan to arrive at UPC  one week before classes start in order to attend the exchange student orientation. Students may also opt to participate in the month-long pre-term intensive language program at an extra cost.

Students who attend UPC for a semester are required to obtain a tourist visa upon their arrival in Peru. Students will then need to change their visa status at the Migrations Office in Lima. The UPC office will provide students with the official documents needed, but all documents (such as certifications of financial support) must be translated into Spanish. 

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