South America

Here are some more information for South America:

University of Sao Paulo is the best University in South America

The University of Sao Paulo is the best university in South America according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The ARWU is produced by the Institute of Higher Education at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and several indicators of academic or research performance are used to establish the ranking, these include highly cited researchers, articles indexed in major citation indices and staff winning Nobel Prizes.
There are nine South American universities in the Word’s Top-500 universities (2008). Six are located in Brazil, two in Chile and one in Argentina. The Top-5 universities located in South America are: University of Sao Paulo (ranked 101-151 in the world), University of Beunos Aires (ranked 152-200), University Estadual Campinas (ranked 201-302) University Fed Rio de Janeiro and the University Federal Minas Gerais (jointly ranked 303-401).
The University of Sao Paulo has been the best university in South America in every year since 2003 according to the ARWU. Brazilian universities dominate the top-universities in South America: four of the Top-5 universities in South America are located in in Brazil.
The University of São Paulo (USP) is the largest higher education and research institution in Brazil. It is a public and free university, with open access for students selected by the vestibular (the Brazilian entrance exam for universities). USP was established in 1934 (it started with some already existing schools, the earliest of which was established in 1827). USP has seven campuses (four of which are located in the City of Sao Paulo), five hospitals and five museums. The total number of students is 86,187 (53.5% male): 54,361 undergraduates and 31,826 postgraduates (graduate students). USP has a faculty of 5,434 and employs 15,221 persons. For more details about the USP.

About the Author

AllAboutUni.com was founded by John Paget and launched in November 2007. He has been visiting university campuses around the world since the 1980s and wanted to share this information with others. John Paget was brought up in Switzerland where he attended the International School of Geneva and was exposed to the growing demand for international higher education studies. John Paget studied Economics at the London School of Economics and then completed graduate studies in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

I want to explore South America. What is the most cost effective way to do it?

Following college graduation in December, my plan is to buy a one-way ticket to somewhere in South America. Once there, I plan having about $1500 to explore with and when the money runs out I will return home. Has anyone here done anything similar to this? What advice do you have regarding places to visit, how to get there, etc, keeping in mind my limited budget. Thanks!

Try working in youth hostels, while you stay there, in Peru this option should be available most of the times.
Things to see and do, well this depends on your preferences, most people are totally into Machu Picchu, I preferred doing a three day rafting trip in a canyon for about one third of the money... Try to get how much some things cost, a friend of mine payed way less than other people. Bargain, bargain and try to group with people who are good with that.

The most interesting country I visited was Bolivia, it is the most adventurous and also one of the cheapest countries. Be careful with the food and water though. Also english is not quite common there, whereas in Peru, Chile and Argentina in tourism english is common in Bolivia it just gets started.

Travelling is usually done by bus, try to get a good mix between safety and price... well, in Bolivia actually there were nearly all the same and safety wasn't a real option anyway

Best price to benefit stuff I did:
1) horseback riding in Tupiza (Southern Bolivia) 6 hours for about 8 Euros with food.
2) 3 day Rafting Trip in Cuzco food included for about 100 $. (Note: when it comes to rafting take a certified provider!)
3) Watching condors in Colca Canyon (I was lucky, they flew really close on my day!) price: I forgot

In restaurants ask for the daily menu / dish, I think it was called "plato(s) del dia". Avoid tourist restaurants!

Hope that helps, if you he specific questions drop me a mail.

Pierre Now A Preserve America Community
Pierre has become the fifth South Dakota city to be named a Preserve America Community.

Thanks for visiting!