LOCATION:
The school is conveniently located next to the
main post-office, Internet cafes, banks, money exchanges, etc.
It is just a few blocks from the main square, the Plaza de Armas,
the central meeting area of Cusco (a great place to people watch!).
There are many restaurants, cafes, cathedrals and museums nearby.
Classes are held in rooms decorated with typical Peruvian "artesania."
FACILITIES:
The Spanish language school occupies a large
building which has two full floors with about 15 classrooms, a
video room, a full kitchen, an entertainment room and a sundeck.
Overall we rate the facilities to be excellent, the teachers to
be experienced and enthusiastic, and the administration very helpful.
Within a few block radius of the school are countless restaurants,
shops, tour companies, cybercafes, museums, and other important
points of interest in Cusco.
Capacity: 60
students.
Please note
that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the
right of this pages. 
ATMOSPHERE:
Student's nationality:
Mostly from U.S. and Canada, Holland, and other parts of Europe.
60% Europeans and 40% North Americans.
Age Group: The majority are
university students, independent travelers and professionals (some
retirees also).
CHILDREN:
Minimum age to
participate in group program: 18 if traveling without a
parent, teacher or legal guardian. Age minimum to join group classes
if traveling with a guardian is 12.
Children's programs:
Private classes at same cost as adult. The children's program
use more TV Spanish programs, audiocassettes, children's Spanish
books & games to keep the learning process "fun."
Child care:
Yes, with the homestay Señora while the parents are in
class.
Homestay discount
for small children: No
WEATHER:
Year round it is cold at night (30's to 40's)
- No homes have heaters. High altitude! Day temp. ranges from
high 60's to 70's. April to Sept is the coldest time day temp.
high 60's & 30's at night. Rainy season is from October to
April.
CULTURAL EVENTS / FESTIVALS:
- June 2 & 3 Corpus Christi (Catholic
event with indigenous influences)
- June 24th Inti Raymi (Theater spectacle
based on Old Inca tradition of adoration of the sun, the winter
solstice)
- July 16th La Virgin de Paucartambo (local
cultural religious event close to Cusco)
- November 2 & 3 Todos los Santos, Dia
de la Muertos
- December 24th Christmas Eve
IMPORTANT ADVICE:
Cusco is a hopping city with a happening night
life, enjoyed by many an international tourist. Use common sense!!
Beware of petty theft in crowded places. Don't walk alone late
at night. The most common theft is done by fraudulent travel agencies
suckering naive tourists for nonexistent services!!!
ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES:
Organized trips or activities are offered &
included in cost 2-3 times/week. Such as: city tour, cooking class,
dance class, parties, videos, lectures, trips to museums. Student
just pays for own transportation, entrance fee, etc.
WEEKEND TRIPS:
The school can help students who want to travel
independently or as a group with outside tourism agencies. Sometimes
the school organizes weekend trips. Usually 2 professors go on
these trips.
GYM / SPORTS / FACILITIES:
There are a few gyms in Cusco that allow short-term
memberships. About $15 USD per month.
E-MAIL ACCESS:
Not offered at school. There is an Internet café
a few doors down from school, and many more throughout Cusco.
An hour is less than $1 USD.
AIRPORT PICK-UP:
Cusco pick-up is included. Your host family will
pick you up from the airport. If there is a complication in meeting
a student at the airport, or if the student does not want the
pick-up, they should take a taxi directly to their homestay.
IMPORTANT:
Additional airport pick-up option in Lima- only
if student has to spend the night in Lima due to connecting flights
or if the student cannot obtain his or her Lima to Cusco flight.
Lima Package includes: Lima airport pick-up, transfer to hotel,
one night in hotel, transfer back to airport, Lima to Cusco one-way
airfare and Lima airport assistance. Extra hotel nights available.
HINTS TO GET ACCLAMATIZED
TO THE ALTITUDE:
Cusco is 11,000 feet high. It is best to allow
yourself a day or two to acclimate yourself upon arrival. Rest,
and avoid heavy meals and alcohol. Even if you are in excellent
physical condition before arriving there is no guarantee that
you will not be bothered by the altitude sickness. Even individuals
in great health may feel a little short of breath in the beginning.
Your first few days of acclimating could be a great chance to
enjoy the cheap taxi fares in Cusco! There is a medical station
in the airport if arriving visitors have any immediate problems
with the altitude.
Please note
that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the
right of this pages. |
