Students live in the university residence called La Casa Don Ignacio. The residence is located a few block from the main square. Most rooms are double-occupancy; some rooms are single and triple-occupancy. Each room is furnished with a bed, desk and storage.

La Casa Don Ignacio offers the following amenities and services:

Private bathroom in each room
• TV room
• Laundry
• Assistance with travel
• Computer room
• Wireless Internet
• Housekeeping

La Casa Don Ignacio has a dining room and kitchen. Meals are not included in the program fee.

Peru is considered the gastronomy center of South America. Peruvian cuisine stems from a combination of Spanish and native ingredients. Chinese, Italian, West African and Japanese influences can also be seen throughout Cuzco. Many traditional foods, such as quinoa, kiwicha, chili peppers and several roots and tubers have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent decades with a revival of interest in native Peruvian food crops.

Cuzco offers an abundance of cultural and recreational activities. Museums, cafes and night clubs can be found in the city center. Ecological parks and Inca ruins are within 1 to 2 hour's reach. USIL organizes social activities during the semester to help students integrate into local life.

The main forms of public transportation in Cuzco are micros and taxis.

Micros (also called Combis) are privately-owned minibuses known for being very cheap. This is the most common form of public transportation for locals.

Taxis in the city are very cheap. There are no meters so you must tell the driver where you want to go and agree on a price before you get in. Average price within the city center is $1.

KEI will provide you with a prepaid mobile phone handset shortly after you arrive in Cuzco. The On-Site Coordinator will show you how to place calls. The phone will have a small amount of credit to get you started. Additional credit can be purchase as needed. The residence hall has computer facilities with wireless Internet at most campus locations.

KEI's Onsite Coordinator (OSC) will meet students at the airport, oversee the orientation, plan cultural excursions, provide advice during the program, help resolve any problems that may come up and serve as a guide to Peruvian culture. Students will meet with the OSC on a regular basis. The OSC is available 24 hours a day if there is an emergency.

During the first few days you will learn about the academic system and the basics for living in Cuzco. The orientation covers the following topics:

• using transportation
• academic expectations
• safety and security
• cultural adaptation
• housing policies
• a few social activities to meet your fellow students

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your On-Site Coordinator!