Peru Student Bulletin

May 8 , 2008

This bulletin is to bring you up to date regarding some important information, deadlines and other immediate 'to do's’ for the Peru Study Abroad Trip.

NEW UPDATE!
Please read the following document to learn things you need to know about Peru and the trip.

Surviving Peru: Click Here

Below are a few items that you will need to know which were extracted from the document above. Please be sure to read the above document as well since it has much more and in depth information about each topic below as well as additional topics.  Please write down any questions you have and bring them to the orientation meeting on Saturday, May 10 at 12:00 noon is AS 106.

Surviving Peru (Abbreviated Form)

The US Embassy in Peru The U.S. Embassy in Peru is located at Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17 s/n, Monterrico (Surco), Lima 33 (tel. (511) 434-3000; fax. (511) 434-3037. Home page: http://lima.usembassy.gov/

The embassy is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, except U.S. and some Peruvian holidays. The mailing address from the United States is American Embassy Lima, APO AA 34031 (use U.S. domestic postage rates). The American Citizen Services section is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Department of State The Department of State encourages all U.S citizens traveling or residing abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security conditions. Dr. Benjamin-Alvarado will register all travelers in our group.

Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.

Safety Tips The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) terrorist group is still active, and sporadic incidents of Shining Path violence have occurred in the recent past. Political demonstrations and labor-related strikes and marches regularly occur in urban and some rural areas and sometimes affect major highways. As a general rule, it is best to avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Visitors are encouraged to keep informed by following the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides. Violent crime, including carjacking, assault, and armed robbery is common in Lima and other large cities. Of the approximately 260,000 Americans who visit Peru each year, a small but growing number have been victims of serious crimes. Travelers are encouraged to put all belongings, including purses, in the trunk of a car or taxi. Travelers should guard against the theft of luggage and other belongings, particularly U.S. passports, at the Lima airport. Theft of U.S. passports is quite common in Peru. Visitors are advised not to carry their U.S. passports if they are not needed. Inca Trail hikers are significantly safer if they are part of a guided group trail hike. Hikers in peak season (June-August) are advised to make reservations for the Inca Trail well in advance via a travel agency. Visitors should always register when entering national parks. Swimmers, surfers, rafters, and boaters should be aware of strong currents in the Pacific Ocean and fast-moving rivers. Be cautious in relying on those with a commercial interest in gauging conditions. Travelers are advised to seek advice from local residents before swimming in jungle lakes or rivers, where large reptiles or other dangerous creatures may live.

Contact Information
We will be staying at the Hotel Alemán. This is likely the easiest way for family to contact you in case of an emergency.  Additional emergency contact information may be provided once you arrive in Peru.

Hotel Alemán
Av. Arequipa # 4704 Miraflores
Teléfonos:4456999  4464045  2411500  2412500
Fax:  4473950
E-mail: haleman@terra.com.pe  hoalsa@hotelaleman.com
Web Site: www.hotelaleman.com.pe

Wireless Internet is available on site.

Packing Tips A common rule of thumb for packing for a long trip is to make a pile of everything you think you need and then divide it in half. Prepare your suitcase thinking of autumn in the midwest or winter in San Francisco. Although winter temperature in Lima does not go below 65 degrees F, humidity reaches almost 100 per cent. The humidity effect is like 45 degrees at night and 55 during the day. After 5 pm you will need to have a lightly padded jacket, four or five thermal underwear shirts, and good cotton pijamas with long sleeves and pants.

PACKING CHECKLIST
Keep in mind when packing for this exciting experience abroad to pack as light as possible:

• Official Documents and Program Necessities. Photocopy each of these items. These copies should be kept separate from the original item. You my want to leave a copy of these documents with a family member as well.
• Passport and copy
• Student ID card and copy (Your SID will get you discount in all cultural areas)
• Airline ticket and copy
• Traveler's Cheques (not recommended), credit cards
• Signed authorization from your doctor if you are bringing any prescription medication and extra prescriptions for medication, glasses, and contact lenses.

CLOTHING/DRESS

1. - Pijamas
2. - Lightweight robe
3. - Slippers/shower shoes (most floors are tiled, not carpeted)
4. - Two pairs of jeans
5. - two pairs of slacks
6. - two nice outfits (skirts, dresses, or nice pants)
7. - 2 long sleeve shirts/blouses
8. - 4 short sleeve shirts/sweaters
9. - All purpose jacket.
10. - 1 pair comfortable walking shoes
11. - 1 pair nice shoes (some clubs might not let you in with sneakers)

Electricity/Converters Peru has 220v electrical outlets. If you are bringing items that need to be recharged you may want to invest in an electrical voltage converter.

Currency Information
The dollar is loosing value against most local currencies. It has lost value against the Peruvian Nuevo Sol, the official Peruvian currency.

Change Money Before You Go
Change about $100 USD to Peruvian Nuevo Sol before you leave home, especially if you will arrive in the afternoon or on a weekend. This will save you time at the airport and help you avoid the predicament of having no cash after bank hours and you will have some cash in your pocket when you arrive. In additions, it is always a good idea to bring some dollars (in small denominations) to tide you over until you can go to the bank or withdraw money from an ATM. Do not expect to cash personal checks once you are abroad.

Airport Fee An international flight airport fee, payable in U.S. or local currency and assessed on a per-person basis, must be paid when departing Peru. There are also separate airport taxes for domestic flights charged at most domestic airports that must be paid before embarking.

1. COST OF THE TRIP (estimated)

 The main costs to each student are:

Personal and miscellaneous expenses as well as meals and travel outside of the set plan are your responsibility. We recommend you bring between $100-150/week.

2. BOOK YOUR FLIGHT ASAP!!!

Peru is a major tourist destination and you must book your flight ASAP to be sure you a) get a seat and b) cost does not become prohibitive.

Your flight needs to arrive in Lima on May 18th by 11:00pm.  UNO faculty and staff will be flying with American Airlines and will arrive in Lima at 9:55 pm.  We would prefer to have as many students as possible on this flight with us (Flight 917) or on a Continental flight that arrives in Lima at 10:28 pm (Flight 590). Once we arrive, we will have a bus at the airport to pick us up that evening. Students who, by choice, do not arrive the evening of May 18th by 11:00pm will have to find their own transportation to the hotel.

Also, it is very important that you make sure ALL of your connecting flights to and from Lima are through the SAME AIRLINE CARRIER. You need to do this because if you miss a flight, your airline will work with you and get you on a different flight easily, without complications. For example: Say you fly Continental from Omaha to Chicago and then American Airlines from Chicago to Miami and then United Airlines from Miami to Lima. If your Continental flight is delayed in Omaha, you will miss both of your subsequent flights with American Airlines and United Airlines, plus Continental will not be responsible for finding you another flight to Miami and then Lima (Continental is only required to get you to Chicago). As you can see, this can get very complicated. So, if you chose to take American Airlines, you need to make sure you are flying American Airlines from the time you leave Omaha to the time you arrive in Lima, Peru. 

3. PASSPORTS 

Obtaining a U.S. passport has become a lengthy process.  You must pay to have it 'expedited' if you have not secured a passport yet or you will not get it on time for the trip.  We need your passport # if you have not given it to us already.

4. IMPORTANT DEADLINES

5. METHOD OF PAYMENT 

You may now pay with a credit card or check at the OLLAS office.

6. SCHOLARSHIP 

We will award a few scholarships of at least $250 each. If you wish to apply for one of these travel scholarships, please submit your latest E-FAN (Financial Aid Notification Statement) and a nonofficial copy of your transcripts to the OLLAS Office. 

7. New! INSURANCE 

Insurance may now be purchased on a group policy through OLLAS. Contact OLLAS by April 25th to be included in the group policy. You must have proof of insurance with international coverage in order to participate in the course. Please bring insurance information and a copy of your travel itinerary to OLLAS as soon as possible and at least two weeks prior to departure. This is your responsibility.

8. EXCURSION/TOURISM INFORMATION

Students who would like to visit this country’s major tourist attractions could contact Mr. Ronald Pinto (511) 446-6170 or write to direccion@panamtourperu.com, or visit Mr. Pinto’ company website www.panamtourperu.com.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or doubts. Lucy Garza Westbrook may be contacted at 554-3835, lgarza@mail.unomaha.edu or by stopping by the OLLAS office.  

This program is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Service Learning Academy, Distance Education, and the Department of Sociology & Anthropology.