It’s
quiz time! You are in northern Peru walking in a serene algarroba forest; some
areas with large expanses of manicured grass, others raw desert. In a branch
overhead a four-foot long iguana is peering down at you. The silence is
occasionally interrupted by bird calls and the piercing cry of a male peacock
with full plumage extended, perhaps warning off other males or simply strutting
to impress his harem. A fox crosses your path, showing no concern over your
presence. He may be hunting squirrels seen in the treetops. In the distance are
three deer, laying in shade to escape the mid-day heat. You are not in a nature
reserve. Where are you? Not sure? Here are a few more hints.
The
path you’re walking, which seems to go on forever is squeaky-clean tile and
concrete, with modern light pole fixtures. In addition to the animals, scattered
in the forest are modern large buildings, also squeaky-clean and tastefully
designed. The intent was obviously to blend buildings and forest to create a
single entity. You are less than three minutes from the congested hustle and
bustle of a major city. You are not in a zoo….so where are you?
The
answer is you are walking in the walled-in 320 acre campus of the University of Piura in Piura Peru. Founded in
1969 this university, also located in Lima is ranked among the top 10
universities in Peru. It offers undergraduate degrees in educational sciences,
economics and business, communication, law, humanities and engineering. It also
boasts of a language center where English is taught, and a Confucius Institute
that “works in cooperation with the Capital
Normal University in Beijing.” Post graduate courses are offered for
some of the schools.
Attending the
University of Piura – often referred to as UDEP is not inexpensive by Peruvian
standards for the upwards of 4000 students enrolled. Financial aid can be
applied for, but without it tuition for the school of economics and business for
example is $1,160 per month, or $9280 per year for the 8 months of classes. For
comparison, the annual tuition cost for the University of Wisconsin – Madison is
$10,378. Room and board for out of area students, which are private homes
located off campus contracted with by UDEP adds another $350 per month.
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