You are here

Study Abroad Programs » Short-term summer programs »

Frequently asked questions

Waterloo/Solidarity in Action Inc. (SIA) Peru Program

Summer exchange programs

Waterloo/SIA Peru Program

Can I find out more information about the volunteer placements?

You will be provided with more information about the volunteer options during the pre-departure session as well as upon arrival in Peru. However, brief descriptions of the placements are listed below:

Policlinico San Francisco de Asis, Chorrillos, Lima is a walk-in clinic located in Chorrillos, which provides health care to more than 60,000 local residents. It provides volunteer placements of interest to many students who have future goals in the health field. Here students learn about hospital administration, work with nurses as they prepare hospital materials, aid in health studies or surveys and observe nurses and doctors as they perform their medical responsibilities.

The Pronei daycare is located in Pacifico, San Genero, Chorrillos. It provides an opportunity for students to interact directly with children and the teachers who care for the children. One cultural, social justice experience includes taking a group of children from various daycares to a city park to spend a day with the children. While at a daycare students learn about the important role that daycares perform in the communities.

El Cerro Azul is a school for children with mental exceptionalities. Here students are able to interact and work with the children and perform needed tasks around the school. This placement challenges the students and allows them to grow, as many students face the challenges of working with children with a wide range of mental exceptionalities. Many children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, in a society that often does not make the effort to provide for children with exceptionalities.

One day will be spent conducting a Dental Hygiene Campaign for a group of children with the shantytown of Pacifico, San Genero, Chorrillos. Working alongside SIA Peru, students perform a skit and teach children how to properly brush and floss their teeth. In the shantytowns, dental hygiene is often neglected by families as many considered it an unnecessary extra expense. This often causes the dental health to be very poor, with many children having multiple, visible dental caries. Extra supplies are provided to the community leader to distribute as needed.

Construction or renovation projects include building or making additions in schools, pre-schools, daycares, community centres, and community development projects. Students who feel their skills tend towards hands-on projects often choose this task. Students gain a great deal of satisfaction from seeing the results of their hard work. Often organized by local community members, construction/renovation projects also give students an opportunity to work and connect with locals who are eager to get to know and help the students.

Where will the interviews take place? 

The interviews will take place on-campus. Telephone interviews will be conducted for students who are away due to co-op or study abroad terms.

Do I have to make my own travel arrangements? 

You will be required to make your own arrangements for transportation to/from Pearson Airport; however, all other travel arrangements (e.g. flights, transportation throughout the program) will be made for you. Program participants will travel as a group from Pearson Airport to Lima, during the return trip from Lima to Toronto, and throughout the program. The group will be accompanied by SIA trip leaders and a Waterloo staff member during the program.

When and where will the in-country Spanish classes take place? 

The classes are held in the afternoon at the Lima accommodation (meeting room), referred to as the retreat house.

What are the evening discussions about? 

Group meetings are an important component of this program. During the evening the group gathers for reflection and to discuss the day’s activities and its impact. The discussions provide a safe place for students to speak about their experience and offer issues or concerns. These discussions build a feeling of community and solidarity between participants.

What is the movie forum?  

Movie forums include viewing films such as The Power of One, Pay it Forward, Motorcycle Diaries, etc. allowing for further exploration into social justice issues while offering a fun way to spend an evening within the retreat house.

What type of accommodation is provided?  

The accommodation is retreat house style. Students are accommodated in single and double rooms, in most cases there are shared bathrooms. The retreat houses are well looked after, have wonderful staff, and provide students with a safe and secure environment.

Can I receive financial donations and tax receipts for the entire cost of the program?  

Yes, all financial donations are eligible to receive a tax deductible charitable receipt from Solidarity In Action Inc. You may submit any number of donations towards the cost of the program; however, the donations must be submitted by the respective payment installment deadlines (e.g. November, January, March). Please refer to the Applications/Payment section for specific deadlines.

The tax receipts will be issued to the person whose signature appears on the cheque.

Is there a minimum donation amount required to receive a tax receipt?  

Yes, the cheque must be issued in the amount of $20 as a minimum.

What happens if I cannot attend the SIA pre-departure session?

The SIA pre-departure is mandatory in order to participate in the program. If you have a family emergency, contact the Study Abroad Manager immediately. If you are going to be away on a co-op work term or study abroad term, you need to notify the Study Abroad Manager at the time of registration.

How can I apply for this program to count towards my Global Experience Certificate (GEC)?

The Waterloo/SIA Peru Program qualifies as one of the Cross Cultural Volunteer Experiences (CCVE) eligible for the Global Experience Certificate (GEC). CCVE require three month prior approval from the International Student Office (ISO). Please speak with the GEC coordinator (ext. 38350) if you have further questions.

What vaccinations are required for Peru? 

You should contact your family doctor or local travel clinic to find out what vaccinations are right for you. Do this as soon as you can as it is important that you are properly vaccinated before you head to Peru. Remember to ask about proper vaccinations for both Lima and Cuzco. When talking to your doctor, also discuss the possibility of getting altitude sickness pills for Cuzco (just in case). The following travel clinics are available in the Waterloo region:

KW Travel Clinic (519-570-4208, 570 University Ave. E., Unit 902, Waterloo)
Waterloo Region Public Health (519-883-2007, 99 Regina St, Waterloo)

Summer exchange programs

Do I have to pay tuition for 1.5 credits even if I only choose to take one or two courses abroad?  

Yes, the tuition amount is set for 1.5 credits; it is not charged on a course-by-course basis.

How do I find out if the courses I take abroad will count towards my Waterloo degree?  

Your faculty exchange representative will approve your course selections at the host university in order to ensure that you will receive the appropriate transfer credits. This process takes place at the time you submit your faculty exchange application form. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have researched which courses will be offered at the host university and that you suggest an equivalent course that you would like to have assessed as a transfer credit. For more information on this step of the process, please contact your specific faculty exchange representative.

I would like to go on a summer program to a university that is not on the list; can I still apply?

Yes, but you must apply through a Letter of Permission (obtainable from the Waterloo Registrar’s Office website under "Forms"). Once permission has been granted, it is your responsibility to enrol at that university. You would also pay the tuition/program fee to that university and not to Waterloo. Letter of Permission applications are processed through the Registrar's Office, not Waterloo International.

Do I have to make my own travel and housing arrangements?  

Yes, it is your responsibility to make the necessary travel arrangements for your exchange program. The host university normally provides information regarding housing, expected arrival dates, and in-country orientation sessions once you have been formally accepted to the program. In the meantime, it is a good idea to check the host university's website in order to familiarize yourself with their services.

I noticed that the host university deadline is later than the Waterloo deadline. Can I apply to the host university directly? 

No, you are required to apply through the University of Waterloo. Your nomination/application will be submitted to the host university by the Study Abroad Manager. The Waterloo deadline is earlier than the host university deadline in order to allow sufficient time for our internal pre-approval process including the initial faculty exchange application form and assessment.