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Overseas Faculty Manual - LimaLima, named the “City of Kings” by the Spanish conquerors, is the country’s capital as well as the main gateway to Peru. It is indeed a city of contrasts, a sort of microcosm of Peruvian history from the pre-Inca civilizations through to the founding of the city by the Spanish in 1535 and right up to the present times. Lima can be covered under a damp chilly fog for up to six months of the year, although the FDR campus is inland enough so that the fog often burns off during the afternoon. Lima has many historic monuments, and its food, drink, and nightlife are the best in the country. Lima’s colonial suburbs are shady and beautiful, yet they are fringed by the impoverished “pueblos jóvenes” which sprawl over the dusty hills overlooking the flat city. Although not the most relaxing of South America’s capitals, it is a good place to start before exploring the rest of the country. 1. Culture shock exists and will happen to you. It doesn’t matter if this is your first posting overseas or your fifth. 2. Living in Lima means living in first-world and third-world environments at the same time. This will be confusing, frustrating, even exhilarating, but it will never be boring! 3. Lima is a big, dusty, busy city, with tough traffic and crime, and so you will have to act accordingly. But on a personal basis, the people you will work with and get to know will be genuinely warm, caring, friendly, fun, and very social. 4. Things are not as easy to get done in Peru and so everything will take longer. Nothing will go quite as planned. While in Peru, you’ll become more flexible than you ever thought imaginable. 5. Avoid saying or even thinking, “Back in the US this would never happen, be allowed, etc.” You are not in the US, and Peruvians don’t necessarily care about how things are done in the US. The American way is not always the best way; often it’s just another way. 6. Start learning Spanish right away. This means that you have to study it. You won’t just pick it up---you are too old for that now. As a general rule, Peruvians don’t speak English and often they aren’t the slightest bit interested in learning English. 7. The Administration and faculty are top-notch, and this fact combined with the new Strategic Plan is making this school a very exciting and dynamic place to work. You will have plenty of impact here in reforming this school into one of the best. 8. One of the nice things about teaching here as compared to the typical American school is that you can focus much more on real teaching. In fact, we all expect each other to be doing a lot of real teaching. 9. Having a maid to do all your domestic chores is WONDERFUL, and will greatly facilitate your doing the real teaching. 10. Peruvian history, culture, museums, people, music, parties, dancing, beaches, fish, fruit, vegetables, beer, wine, etc. are wonderful. Get out there and enjoy them! Here are some helpful Web Sites with information on events, news, travel, culture, groups, links and much more. These should help you get the most out of your time here in Peru. www.livinginperu.com In addition, through the school web site, you will be sent by email on a weekly basis an informative newsletter from the U.S. Embassy Lima called the “Humboldt Current.” In case you wish to contact the U.S. Embassy, here is the address:
School updates are posted every weekend. For a look at what's going on in each school, please click on the following links: High School Bulletin Middle School Bulletin Elementary School Bulletin
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