Universidad ESAN
- Courses offered in Spanish and English
- Take courses with Peruvian and international students
- Live in Peru’s capital city of Lima and explore other regions of the country
The Universidad ESAN exchange program is an opportunity for KU students to take business courses at one of the longest standing business universities in Peru. Courses are offered in Spanish and English from one of nine different areas of study. Students can choose a semester or academic year exchange.
Lima is the capital of Peru and is the only South American capital located on the Pacific Ocean. It is a modern city infused with its colonial and ancient past. Some of the most important collections of pre-Columbian pieces are in Lima museums and the historic center of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Lima was the most important city of the Spanish colonies in South America until the 18th century. The Historic Center of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Outside of Lima, there are several sites in Peru that can’t be missed. The vast Incan empire includes the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and ancient city of Machu Pichu. South of Lima near Ica, there is a desert oasis, the Nasca lines, and the Paracas National Reserve where sea lions, Humboldt penguins, flamingos, and other protected species live.
Peru is also known for its gastronomy with its blend of traditional ingredients fused with the influence of Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and other immigrants. Each region has their own specialty and Peru boasts coffee, cacao, and 400 types of potatoes!
Universidad ESAN is located in Monterrico, a residential area in eastern Lima. The campus is situated on the site of an old hacienda with green spaces and modern technology. It was founded in 1963 as the first Graduate School of Business Administration in Latin America in an agreement between the governments of Peru and the United States. The Graduate School of Business of Stanford University helped organize and implement ESAN. Later, undergraduate programs were added to their course offerings.
Universidad ESAN has nine areas of study for undergraduate students:
- Consumer Psychology
- Corporate Law
- Economics and International Business
- Environmental Management Engineering
- Industrial and Commercial Engineering
- Information Technology and Systems Engineering
- Management and Finance
- Management and Marketing
- Organizational Psychology
Courses are offered in Spanish and English. ESAN has course syllabi available online. Students will enroll in 5-6 courses per semester. Prior to the start of classes, there will be a two-week orientation and a week-long intensive course in Spanish for exchange students.
Peru is on the southern hemisphere academic calendar, which means that the first semester runs from March-July and the second semester takes place between August-December.
Resources
Students are encouraged to use the following resources to research available courses at ESAN and to determine if these courses will meet their academic requirements at KU.
- KU Course Equivalency Database is a list of:
- Courses that are currently pre-approved for KU credit (approved equivalency)
- Courses that students have had approved for KU credit in the past (possible equivalency)
-Credit Approval Process: This is the procedure for obtaining KU course equivalency approval for courses you plan to take abroad.
All courses taken and grades earned while abroad must be posted as KU equivalents on a student’s KU transcript and grades will figure into a student’s KU GPA. The relevant KU academic department will make the final decision regarding posting of credit and their application toward graduation.
ESAN provides exchange students with a list of housing options that students arrange on their own. Students generally live with a host family, in a student residence, or an apartment. Most of the suggested accommodations are close to the university or in the neighborhoods of Miraflores, San Isidro and Surco, which are thirty minutes to one hour away from ESAN.
ESAN provides detailed information about cost of living, transportation, currency and credit cards, electricity, shopping, food, and tourist information in the "Living expenses" section of their website.
ESAN also offers the “Junior Assistant” program, which pairs an exchange student with a local ESAN student. The buddies will communicate with the exchange student by email before the beginning of the semester and will help them get oriented to Lima and ESAN, including accommodations, public services, transportation, meals, recreational activities, and cultural activities.
Students will travel to Lima two weeks prior to the start of classes to take part in the orientation activities that ESAN provides. During orientation, students will officially enroll in their courses for the semester, go on a campus tour, and learn about academic services, security, virtual services, and more.
Throughout the semester, Universidad ESAN offers visual arts, performing arts, singing, drama, and music workshops as well as exercise programs and sports teams. Students can view the extensive Universidad ESAN welcome guide for exchange students that contains a lot of detailed information about the university and life in Peru.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Students wishing to take classes in Spanish should have an intermediate level of Spanish.
Minimum GPA: 2.75 or special permission.
Visit the Official Peru Tourism website to learn about the country.