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Exchange Program: Universidad del Pacifíco

Lima, Peru
Must be fluent in Spanish.

The Universidad del Pacifíco is a private university established in 1962 by a group of Peruvian entrepreneurs supported by the Jesuit community. Today, it has become one of the most esteemed universities in Peru for business studies, specializing in Economics and Business Administration. Approximately 2,000 students study business at this private, non-profit university, located in the safe and beautiful suburbs of Lima. Lima is an ethnic melting pot, with over 8 million people, featuring pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements as well as an active nightlife and vibrant cultural scene. Students at the Universidad del Pacifíco also enjoy the benefits of a modern university, which is recognized as one of the most technologically advanced educational institutions in Peru. The academics at Universidad del Pacifíco have a great reputation as well, both in Peru and beyond. In the past three decades, the university has been ranked as Peru’s most prestigious higher education institution in the areas of economics and business administration, and among the leading institutions of its kind in the Latin American region.

Please note: students are not accepted into the program until they submit their application and deposit to the UF International Center. You can start your online application today!

The City

Lima is the capital city of Peru and it is quite large and populated, housing nearly 1/3 of the total Peruvian population. Lima and Peru are both rich in history and landmarks, and if you enjoy being outdoors you’ll enjoy traveling through the country, seeing the ruins, and observing the history first-hand. As with any large populous city, you need to take precautions and always be vigilant in order to protect your safety. Many areas of the city and country are perfectly safe and could be compared to areas of Miami or New York City. Lima is generally considered a coastal city and the climate is temperate and dry. Most of Peru is blanketed in mountains (the Andes!) and you should be prepared for cold, dry weather.

Student Life

UDP has an active student body, and exchange students are encouraged to take advantage of this environment! The Student Center hosts many academic, social, cultural and sporting events each semester. There are also plenty of exchange students from around the world that will enjoy exploring the exciting city and venturing away on the weekends. Two of the most popular districts in the city are the romantic and bohemian Barranco, and the upscale, shopping and dining hub Miraflores.

Term Dates

Fall Semester: Mid-August to early December
Spring Semester: Late March to mid-July

Courses Available

UDP offers a variety of courses in their Economic and Business Administration departments. Most courses are taught in Spanish but a select number of courses are available in English. Use our course equivalency database to find out which courses at UDP can apply to your UF degree. Please see an academic advisor for information pertaining to requesting additional equivalencies.

Language of Instruction

Most courses are taught in Spanish. However, some business and humanities courses are available in English each semester. For an additional fee, students may enroll in intermediate and advanced Spanish language courses.

Grade Conversion

Scale 1Scale 2U.S. Grade Equivalent
15-2090-100A
13-1480-89B
11-1270-79C
0-100-69F

Credit Conversion

Credit system is similar to UF with variations as follows:

  • 1 UP credit=1 UF credit
  • 1.5 UP credits = 2 UF credits
  • 3 UP credits (1.5 + 1.5) = 4 UF credits

Estimated Expenses

Rough Expense ComparisonSemester at UFSemester at UP
UF Tuition$3,190$3,190
UFIC Admin. Fee-$425
Health Insurance-$170
Airfare-$1,200
Housing / Utilities$2,995$2,000
Internet / Cable$585Included
Food$2,300$1,400
Books$445$200
Transportation$560$600
Visa-$30
Total$10,075$9,215

Currency

Nuevo Sol.

Accommodation

UDP does not have any official university accommodations. However, the coordinators there will help students secure an apartment or arrange a homestay. There is listing of housing options available for you to consider. Living with a family would cost approximately $250 USD/month with breakfast included. An apartment would be at least $300 – $400 USD/month.

Travel Opportunities

Machu Picchu Peru

Lima is serviced by air through Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru’s main hub for both national and international air traffic. Private buses, commonly known as micros or combis, are ubiquitous, employing a “chofer,” or driver, and a “cobrador,” who functions as a salesman, yelling the bus route to prospective passengers, and who collects your fare. Numerous inter-urban bus companies offer transportation to other cities in Peru. Quality varies depending on the price, from luxury express buses to uncomfortable and crowded micros. As the hub of the country, traveling away from the city can be done quite easily once familiar with the surrounding. Traveling around Peru offers a glimpse into the ancient civilization, breathtaking landscapes and intriguing tradition.

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