WHAT TO BRING?

For  daily school use, it is suggested that the visiting student bring their own pair of brown, laced leather shoes (not nubuck or suede), a pair of white trainers, and a swimming costume. Casual, but tidy clothes are worn for most social events; quality jeans and t-shirts are considered acceptable for daily out of school use. Shorts, sandals and t-shirts are recommended for casual summer wear. Clothes and shoes are available at moderate prices at western-style malls and shops.

The exchange student will need to bring a US$500 deposit, to cover incidental medical expenses, school excursions, music lessons and other items not covered by normal academic fees. This needs to be paid in cash to the school Accounts department, and a receipt will be provided. Whatever portion remains of the deposit will be refunded in full at the end of the exchange period. This will require the signature of the visiting student and the host family.

The visiting student will need a supply of pocket money for personal and incidental expenses. For reference, a Big Mac meal costs around US$4, a Starbucks coffee about US$3, a peak period cinema ticket about US$5. It is a good idea for the visiting student's family and the host family to establish communication and set boundaries. An informal dual monetary system operates in Peru. Officially, the Nuevo Sol (S./ 3.25  = US$1) is the national currency. The US dollar is accepted in most places, but change is given in local currency, so clean, low denomination dollar bills should be carried.

The student may only bring expensive electricals if they accept full responsibility for them. Such items can be broken or stolen, especially if displayed in public areas. Markham College is a laptop school and all S2 - UB (grades 9 - 13) students are issued with a laptop computer, connected to the school Intranet and Internet by broadband wi-fi. The visiting student may bring their own laptop (subject to the previous caveat and declaration on arrival to Peruvian Customs), borrow one for use on the school campus, or use one of the school desktop computers; however, they must abide by the same code of practice that applies to all Markham students, which includes a cross-campus ban on gaming, chat, music, access to inappropriate or offensive websites, accessing unauthorised areas of the Intranet and hacking. The loan of a school laptop computer is subject to availability, passing the school's basic ICT course, as well to the receipt of a signed declaration agreeing to cover the cost of repair or replacement.