Erfahrungsbericht

Suay N., Leisure and Tourism Management, 5. Semester, Peru, Lima, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Wintersemester 2025/26

Motivation and Choice of Destination

I decided to spend one semester abroad in Peru, Lima, as part of my Erasmus exchange program because I was looking for an academic and cultural experience outside of Europe. Latin America, and Peru in particular, fascinated me due to its cultural diversity, tourism relevance, and dynamic social environment. The Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL) appealed to me especially because of its strong focus on practical education and its good reputation in the fields of tourism, hospitality, and business studies.

Host University and Academic Experience

USIL turned out to be an excellent choice. The university offers modern facilities, well-structured courses, and a strong practical orientation. Most of my courses were taught in English, with some content in Spanish, which allowed me to improve both languages simultaneously. This bilingual approach was challenging at times but extremely beneficial in the long run.

The professors at USIL were highly qualified and brought extensive professional experience from the tourism and business sectors into their teaching. Many of them had worked in international companies or held leading positions within the industry, which made the lectures very practice-oriented and relevant. Instead of focusing solely on theory, classes often included case studies, group projects, presentations, and real-life examples from the Peruvian and international tourism market.

Although the workload was relatively high compared to my home university, it helped me develop strong time management skills and gain valuable academic and professional experience. Overall, the academic level was demanding but very rewarding.

Organization and Support

The organization at the host university, USIL, was very efficient. Contact persons were easy to reach, communication was clear, and responses were provided quickly. Administrative processes were handled professionally, which made the preparation and the start of the semester much easier.

In contrast, the organization at my home university, Hochschule Stralsund, was more challenging. Communication often involved long waiting times, and some processes appeared unstructured and partially chaotic. This required a high level of patience and flexibility, especially during the administrative preparation phase of the exchange.

Accommodation and Daily Life

I lived in a shared apartment in Lima, which was a very positive experience. Living in a shared flat allowed me to integrate quickly into local life and build close connections with both Peruvian and international students. It also helped me experience everyday life in Lima beyond the university environment.

Lima itself is a vibrant and diverse city with excellent food, a rich cultural scene, and many opportunities for social activities. While the size of the city and traffic can be overwhelming at first, I adapted quickly and felt comfortable navigating daily life.

Social and Cultural Experience

One of the most valuable aspects of my Erasmus semester was the social and cultural immersion. I made many Peruvian friends, which helped me gain deeper insights into Peruvian culture, traditions, and social life.

In addition, I traveled extensively within Peru during my stay. Visiting destinations such as Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Peruvian coast allowed me to better understand the country’s cultural and geographical diversity. These experiences significantly enriched my exchange semester.

Language Development

My Spanish skills improved significantly during my stay in Peru. Daily interaction with locals, academic content in Spanish, and everyday situations helped me become more confident and fluent. At the same time, studying in English strengthened my academic and professional language skills, particularly in the context of tourism and management.

Overall Evaluation and Recommendation

Overall, my Erasmus semester at USIL in Lima was an outstanding experience. Academically, I benefited greatly from the practical teaching approach and the strong professional background of the professors. Personally, I grew through cultural immersion, international friendships, and extensive travel experiences.

Despite organizational challenges at my home university, USIL proved to be an excellent host institution with high academic quality and very good administrative support. I would choose this exchange destination again without hesitation and highly recommend it to students interested in tourism, business, and international experiences.

This semester abroad had a lasting impact on my academic, professional, and personal development, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.