Students at the University of Mary in North Dakota will have the opportunity to spend in a semester in Peru.

Starting next spring, The private, Catholic university's new international partnership will give students the opportunity to attend Universidad Catolica San Pablo in Arequipa, Peru and to participate in a medical mission, "delivering basic health care to Ayaviri and surrounding villages in the Andes mountains," the Associated Press reported.

"This initiative is a wonderful addition to our other international educational partnerships, which include our campus in Rome and at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan," University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea said in a statement.

Those spending the semester in Peru will take core classes, including Spanish 101, said Kemerly Grau, Global Studies coordinator for the university. All classes will be conducted in English, s that students need not be proficient in Spanish and of any year and major. Tuition, room and board will travel with the students.

The new program will provide a partnership between the university's physical therapy program and Corpus et vita in Lima, Peru and a "a new learning site for the University of Mary in Arequipa, which will enable students to experience the vibrant culture of Latin America," Andina reported.

Students will stay with native host families, immersing themselves in the rich culture of Peru and growing as servant leaders.

About half a dozen students have signed up so far.