Global Seminar in Peru

Cities Under Pressure: Water, Inequity, and Change in Lima

Learn how – as any major – you can apply systems thinking to solve complex, real-world problems and enhance your career. This Global Seminar focuses on the dynamics behind water scarcity and rapid urban growth in Lima, a city facing extreme water stress. In Lima, you will engage with community members, government agencies, utilities, and NGOs to better understand the complex factors and recommend actionable solutions while exploring Peruvian culture. 

Program Overview

Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this program.

Academic Program

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English

COURSE LOAD 

1 course, 3 credits

COURSE OFFERINGS

You will select one of the following:

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Learning how to think about complex global challenges is essential to developing solutions that are effective, ethical, and sustainable. Systems thinking provides a structured way to make sense of these challenges by examining how social, environmental, economic, and institutional factors interact over time.

In this course, you will study urban water scarcity and inequity in Lima, Peru. Pre-departure, you will build a foundation by exploring the historical, environmental, and institutional factors shaping the city’s water system and creating a systems model. Once on-site, you will meet with community members, government agencies, utilities, and non-governmental organizations to understand how different stakeholders experience and influence the system. By the end of the course, you will be able to propose realistic and actionable recommendations and have a developed mindset to analyze complex challenges in other global contexts.

Location

Located on the central coast of Peru along the Pacific Ocean, Lima is the capital and largest city in the country, with a population of approximately 10 million people.

Explore Lima!

Lima is one of South America's great historic cities, and the possibilities are endless for you to make the most of your experience. Whether you are interested in visiting the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the over 50 museums in the city, renowned culinary districts, seaside parks, or traditional galleries, Lima has it all. There are, of course, the well-known sights, some of which you will be seeing on class excursions, but others left to you to explore. Its multicultural identity is a blend of Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences, reflected in local festivals, food, textiles, music, and traditions.

The unique geographic makeup of Lima provides a real-world living laboratory for studying how modern megacities manage critical resources under intense pressure.

As one of the world's largest cities built in an arid desert environment, Lima sits at the fragile intersection of rapid urban expansion, volatile climate conditions, and aging municipal infrastructure. These intersecting forces have created deep, persistent challenges in providing reliable, equitable water access to its millions of residents, making it an important case study in systems thinking. 

View the map of Lima.

Program Dates

Course Duration: January – May (with required Spring Break travel to Lima) 

Tentative International Travel Dates

 Spring 2027
Departure from U.S.February 26
Arrival in PeruFebruary 27
OrientationFebruary 27
Last night in housingMarch 6
Program concludesMarch 7

Do not use the above dates to book your flight, as they are tentative and subject to change. Accepted students will receive confirmed program dates and flight booking guidelines from Education Abroad before making travel plans.  

Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.

Housing

Housing type: Hotel

Basic hotel (shared, single-sex bedrooms) in Lima for the duration of the program. If you have documented accommodation with Disability Resources & Services for a single room, please contact Education Abroad when you apply for the program. 

Activities & Excursions

The Institute for Study Abroad - IFSA provides a comprehensive orientation upon arrival, in collaboration with the Temple Program Director.

Throughout the program, you will participate in numerous required cultural activities and excursions designed to bring Peru’s rich history and complex urban dynamics to life. By stepping outside the classroom, you will engage directly with community members, government officials, utility workers, and NGO leaders who shape the past, present, and future of Lima's water and urban development.

Details are subject to change, but activities and  excursions are likely to include:

  • Workshop on Systems Thinking Applied to Lima's Water Crisis: Interactive session exploring complexity, interdependence, and long-term planning in addressing urban water challenges. 
  • Water Distribution & Treatment Site visits: Tours of Lima's water utility company and water treatment plant.
  • Sustainable Actions: Visit to pre-Inca canals (amunas) to explore natural solutions.
  • Historic Center of Lima Walking Tour (with Santo Domingo Convent): Guided exploration of Lima's historic core, examining colonial history, urban development, and cultural heritage.
  • Barranco Walking Tour & Museo Pedro de Osma: Visit to Lima's arts district, including a guided tour of a historic mansion museum showcasing Peru's colonial art traditions.
  • Cooking Class: Hands-on experience preparing traditional Peruvian dishes in an interactive kitchen setting.

Activities and excursions are subject to change.

 

Faculty & On-site Support

Temple Faculty

A Temple faculty member serve as the program director overseeing the academic program and will serve as your point of contact for academic matters.

View program faculty.

On-site Support

In addition to your program director, you will have support from our on-site partner, the Institute for Study Abroad - IFSA .

Program Costs

PROGRAM DEPOSIT

Students will pay a non-refundable program deposit of $400 within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program. This non-refundable deposit is credited to your program fees as a prepayment. 

TUITION AND FEES

Temple students pay their usual spring semester tuition and fees by school/college and residency.

All students pay:

  • Global Seminars Program Fee: $2,500 (Includes airfare, housing, required program activities, and some meals abroad.)

For complete details about billable costs and estimates for non-billable expenses while abroad. 

View detailed program costs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Health & Safety

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to prepare to study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple. 

Contact

Global Seminar Eligibility

Temple Global Seminars are open only to matriculated Temple University students. 

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.

Are enrolled fulltime and will have completed 1 semester before studying abroad
  • You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application until the end of the Global Seminar.
  • You will have completed at least one (1) semester of college-level study by the program start.
Are in good academic standing and meet minimum GPA requirement for the program
  • You meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement from all colleges/universities attended. The GPA requirement for Temple Global Seminars is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of the semester of the Global Seminar; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.
Have a valid passport

A copy of your passport will be required by the October 15 commitment deadline .Your passport cannot expire for at least 6 months after you return from your trip abroad. 

Are in good disciplinary standing

You must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your travel abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

Meet the minimum age requirement

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.

For the Global Seminar in Peru, there are no additional eligibility requirements. The program is open to students of all majors and experience levels. 

Application Requirements

The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.

    For the Global Seminar in Peru, applicants are asked to answer a short essay question (250 words) detailing their interest in the program. 

    Admissions Timeline

    Temple students may apply up to the standard application deadline. Application review will begin after the application deadline, not on a rolling admissions basis. After the application deadline, you should expect a decision within (2) weeks.