Volunteer Peru Cusco Child Care Program

1.- What was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

 I worked in 2 different places during my time in Cusco so my daily schedule varied from week to week. During my first week and half, I volunteered for 5 hours in a kindergarten where I taught English to 5 year olds. During my second full week, I continued volunteering for 5 hours at the school during the morning and began volunteering in the orphanage for 3 hours in the afternoon as well, giving me a full 8 hour day with a break in the middle when I returned home for lunch. After that, the school had vacation so the orphanage became my primary volunteer location and I volunteered for 5 hours in the mornings during my final week and a half in Cusco.

2.- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?


Host Family: I absolutely loved my host family. Living with Maria Elena is the best! However, I was a little surprised by how many volunteers stayed there at once. At one point there were 5 volunteers living in the house along with Maria Elena and her father. I had expected to be the only volunteer living with the host family or that there would only be 2-3 volunteers maximum. Although this was a surprise, I really enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers who lived there and it was fun to have people to explore Cusco with.

Program: I was surprised that I was expected to teach completely on my own at the school. I anticipated serving as a teaching assistant and having more of a supporting role in the classroom. Instead, I was asked to completely lead the classroom activities on my own and create lesson plans and activities based on an English workbook the students had. This was a really exciting opportunity for me! It was really fun to come up with new ways to engage the students and teach the colors, parts of the body, family members, etc. I had not anticipated having such freedom and control over the class. It was a great way to get to know all of the students in each class and really feel like I was playing an active role in their education.

The students were all eager to learn English which made teaching really fun. It also helped me practice my Spanish because I had to speak entirely in Spanish other than when I was teaching very basic English words and phrases. Additionally, the teachers were so helpful and supportive while I was teaching. They helped me give instructions to the class, make sure the students remained focused, and often participated in the activities because they wanted to learn English too. There were 3 classes of 5 year old students and I rotated between them during my time at the school, teaching English for the entire morning (or at least the majority of the time) I was in each class. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget!

Country: I was surprised how easy it was to meet people in Cusco. Everyone here is so friendly! In planning to come to Cusco for a month on my own, I anticipated that I would be spending a lot of time alone while exploring the city. In reality, I only spent a few days exploring completely by myself because it was so easy to meet people on my tours or spend time with other abroader view volunteers. Even though I signed up for most of my weekend excursions alone, I made friends on every single trip I took and never spent the tour alone. I kept in touch with people I met on tours or through other activities and met up with them in Cusco for museums, dinner, or just to hang out. While I also really enjoyed the time I spent exploring alone, I loved being able to meet so many new people and make so many new friends. I never felt lonely!

Volunteering in Peru

3.- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?


Host Family: There were no challenges with the host family. I could not have imagined a betting living experience for my time in Cusco.

Program: Overall, my volunteer experience was amazing and I had very few problems. The only challenge I experienced was with the language barrier because nobody in the school or orphanage spoke any English and I occasionally lacked the vocabulary to have complicated conversations in Spanish. This did not limit my volunteer experience overall because I had sufficient Spanish to communicate and form relationships with the students and the girls at the orphanage; however, I occasionally needed to find new ways to explain something or fill in the gaps with hand gestures. My Spanish improved the longer I was in Cusco and I rarely had this problem during my final weeks.

Country: My main challenge in Cusco was finding food that I felt comfortable eating. Because you are not supposed to drink water that has not been boiled, I often avoided fresh vegetables (except in the house because I knew Maria Elena washed them safely). Also I wanted to make sure the meat was safe and had not been left out or not cooked well because one of my friends got food poisoning from alpaca meat at a restaurant.

I didn’t avoid eating out but I was always careful to choose a restaurant that seemed trustworthy. It was all about finding a balance between not spending too much money but also making sure the restaurant was reliable. I loved the Peruvian cuisine and luckily never had problems with the food and I think it was because I made sure to always be careful.

4.- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, money, internet)


When it is summer in the US it is winter in Peru and although there may be a high in the 60s (Fahrenheit), it can get really cold at night (30 degrees Fahrenheit). It is really important to bring warm clothes, a real jacket, a hat, and gloves — especially if one plans on hiking. I wore long pants and a sweatshirt everyday and needed an additional jacket at night. I didn’t bring enough warm clothes and ended up needing to buy an extra fleece and a hat/gloves while I was in Cusco.

Other things to pack:

-hiking boots (if one plans on going to Machu Picchu, rainbow mountain, or Humantay lake — all of which I highly recommend)

-reusable water bottles (you need bottled water here and it is cheaper to by large jugs of water to fill your own bottle than to buy a lot of small bottles)

-tissues/toilet paper (most public restrooms don’t have toilet paper so you always need to carry your own)

Other tips:

-Use WhatsApp and download it before you come to Peru because you need to be able to receive a confirmation code via text. I did not have international data for my cell phone and only used WhatsApp to communicate when I had WiFi. It was really easy and I never had any problems because there is WiFi in the house and at most restaurants.

-You have to pay the travel agency in American cash (they do not accept credit card) so make sure to bring enough cash to avoid excessive ATM fees

Gap Year Peru

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here (besides Spanish):


Host Family: The meal schedule is different than the US: light breakfast, big lunch around 2 pm, and a small dinner (basically the same food as breakfast). If you want more than bread with jelly for dinner, make sure to buy snacks, go out to dinner, or talk with the host family about other options. It wasn’t hard to adjust to this eating schedule but it was definitely a change from what I was used to

Program: As cliche as it sounds, the volunteer experience is entirely what you make of it. Take initiative and find ways to help out and get involved. Each volunteer location is different and your role may shift so it is important to observe what is going on and find ways you can participate. No one will ask for your help so it is up to you to determine how to get involved.

Country: It is important to get a sense of how much taxis should cost. Taxi drivers often just put out their hand and expect you to give them the right amount without saying a price and they will charge you more if you ask how much it should cost because they will take advantage of the fact you are a tourist. Maria Elena (the abroader view coordinator) will help with this and it is pretty easy to figure out.

6.- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):


I absolutely loved my month in Cusco! My experience surpassed all of my expectations and I am really sad that my time there ended so fast. My time at the primary school was amazing. I rotated through the three classes of five year old students to teach English. Most of the time I was given complete control of the class for the day and led activities to teach basic English vocabulary and concepts. I tried to make the lessons engaging by having the students act out different words, creating competitions between groups of students, and teaching them songs in English.

It was amazing to see how interested they were in learning English, how much effort they put into practicing, and how much progress they made over the course of the days I spent in each class. I also loved getting to know the students in a non-academic setting: talking with them before class, eating lunch with them, and playing with them at recess. They were so excited to see me every day and would scream “Profe de ingles!!” and then come running over to give me a hug — it made coming to school every day so much fun. Additionally, the teachers were so supportive and helpful during my time at the school.

I was really sad that the school had a vacation for my last week and a half in Cusco because I did not want to end my time there. My other volunteer position was working at an orphanage for teenage girls. The orphanage did not need much help running activities so instead, the role of volunteers was more to spend time with the girls and be a friend. I spent most of my time in the ceramics room where the girls work for weeks to paint the most beautiful plates, mugs, and vases. They tried to teach me how to paint as well (which I was terrible at) but I had so much fun talking with all of the girls and listening to music while we painted. It was amazing to me how positive and friendly all of the girls were. They were always excited to ask me a million questions, show me what they were doing, give me/each other a hug, or just sit by me.

I tried to get to know as many girls as possible because it was important to me to be more than just another random face—I wanted to truly get to know them on a personal level and be a friend they could feel comfortable with. I was able to go on a field trip with the orphanage during my last week and it was so much fun to spend time with the girls in a new environment, witness their excitement at traveling outside Cusco, and be a part of their special day. The loyalty and love the girls have for each other inspired me and I will never forget my time with them. Outside of volunteering, I was lucky enough to do a lot of traveling while I was in Cusco.

I did a tour of the city, visited the sacred valley, the salt mines, the last Inca bridge, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake. I loved all of these adventures, made some great friends on the trips, and was amazed by the beautiful places I got to see. I also enjoyed exploring the city of Cusco. There is so much to see and do: the museums, restaurants, and markets are all incredible, I took a Peruvian cooking class, I visited an Incan planetarium, I went to see live music, and so much more. Throughout my stay in Cusco,

I lived with Maria Elena and I truly could not have asked for a better host Mom. She made me feel completely at home and I am so grateful for how caring she was. The food was incredible, the beds were comfortable, and Maria Elena was the best. They love she shows to all of her ABV volunteers is amazing. She is both a mother figure and an amazing friend. She gave great advice, was so supportive of all aspects of my life, and was so much fun to spend time with. I felt like I had plenty of freedom but also felt like I was always been cared for—it was a perfect balance.

Also, there were often other volunteers living in the house and I had so much fun getting to know them. We did trips together, went out to dinner, or just hung out after a long day. It truly felt like we were a family. Overall, I am so grateful for the unforgettable experience I had in Cusco. It was more amazing than I could have ever imagined.

Volunteering in Peru

7.- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:


Meals: The meals were always delicious. I have some dietary restriction and Maria Elena was so accommodating. On the rare occasion when the main course was something I could not eat, she always prepared me a separate meal. Lunch was always large, delicious and very filling. Dinner was much smaller, as per Peruvian custom, and I occasionally wanted more food but was usually able to supplement with soup or Maria Elena would make me eggs if I was still hungry.

Security: I felt completely safe in the house. The house has 2 doors, both of which have a double lock, and I was also given a key to lock my bedroom door though I never felt the need to use it.

Friendliness: Maria Elena is so friendly and I could not have asked for a better host Mom! She made me feel completely at home and I am so grateful for how caring and supportive she was. I felt like I could talk to her about anything and we always had so much fun together. She made me feel like family and I will miss her a lot!

Quality: My host family surpassed all of my expectations. The living accommodations were all high quality, the beds were warm, and Maria Elena and her father were so welcoming. I cannot say enough good things about living here.

7.1.- Score the following from 1 to 10:

Quality of meals: _10__ if under 5, what was the issue:

Quantity of each meal: _10__ if under 5, what was the issue:

How clean was the house: _10__ if under 5, what was the issue:

How safe was the house: _10__ if under 5, what was the issue:

8.- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

Maria Elena, the a broader view coordinator, provided amazing support during my time in Cusco. I would not have felt as comfortable here without her support and guidance. She texted me while I was in Lima to give me advice on how to navigate the airport, picked me up when I arrived in Cusco, helped me plan all of my trips and excursions, and taught me everything there is to know about the city—where to withdraw and exchange money, where to buy bottled water, where to do laundry, how to take the bus, what to say in a taxi and how much to pay, and gave me a tour of all of the important places. She also was so helpful in getting me settled at both of my volunteer positions.

She took me there on the first day, taught me the best way to commute, introduced me to the directors, and made sure I felt comfortable in my role. She checked in with me daily to see how my position was going and was actively invested in all aspects of my time in Peru. She was a good listener and I felt comfortable coming to her with even the smallest of problems. I knew I could always count on her for advice and information. During my month here, I was amazed to see how committed she is to all of the abroader view volunteers. She spent all day checking in on current volunteers, coordinating housing and positions for upcoming volunteers, and working to make sure everyone felt comfortable during their time in Cusco. She truly goes above and beyond for her volunteers.

For example, one day I had to leave at 4:30 am for a hike and she woke up early to text me and make sure I did not miss my bus. Overall, she is so friendly, informative, and organized and I was so lucky to have her as a resource as my coordinator and as my host family during my time in Cusco.

Volunteering Opportunities

9.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered, activities you did?

 I worked in 2 different places during my time in Cusco so my daily schedule varied from week to week. During my first week and half, I volunteered for 5 hours in a kindergarten where I taught English to 5 year olds. During my second full week, I continued volunteering for 5 hours at the school during the morning and began volunteering in the orphanage for 3 hours in the afternoon as well, giving me a full 8 hour day with a break in the middle when I returned home for lunch.

After that, the school had vacation so the orphanage became my primary volunteer location and I volunteered for 5 hours in the mornings during my final week and a half in Cusco. During my time at the school, I rotated through the three classes of five year old students to teach English. Most of the time I was given complete control of the class for the day and led activities to teach basic vocabulary and concepts. I based my lessons on an English workbook the school had. I also got to spend time with the students in a non-academic setting: talking with them before class, eating lunch with them, and playing with them at recess.

At the orphanage, I spent most of my time in the ceramics room where the girls work on homework, hang out, and paint beautiful plates, mugs, and vases. They tried to teach me how to paint as well (which I was terrible at) but I had so much fun talking with all of the girls and listening to music while we painted. I tried to get to know as many girls as possible because it was important to me to be more than just another random face—I wanted to truly get to know them on a personal level and be a friend they could feel comfortable with.

They would ask me a million questions, tell me all about their day, or sometimes just want to sit with me in silence—either way I knew it was important to just be present in the moment and interact with them in whichever way they wanted on a given day.

10.- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:


Accommodation:  My favorite memory with my host family is when Maria Elena, the two other volunteers living at the house, and I went out to dinner at a nice Peruvian restaurant. We stayed for hours laughing, talking about everything, and enjoying the delicious food (we ordered 5 desserts for 4 people). It was such a fun, relaxing night and really exemplified how close we all had become and how comfortable we were around each other. It truly felt like we were a family.

Program:  It is so hard to pick a favorite memory from my volunteer experience but one of my favorites was on my last day at the school. All of the students were sad that I would be leaving and wanted to keep in touch so they all spontaneously organized themselves to make me a sheet of paper with all of their names on it so that we could be friends on Facebook.

It was hilarious to me because they are 5 years old and definitely do not have a Facebook but it was also so touching because it showed me that I had made an impact on them and that they would miss having me at the school. I was sad to be leaving and knew I would miss all of the students a ton so it was so nice to have something from them to bring back home with me. To me, the fact that they decided to do this on their own exemplified that the relationships I had formed with them and the connections I had made during my time at the school were real and genuine.

Country: my favorite memory in Peru was reaching the top of Rainbow Mountain. The hike to 5200 meter altitude was the hardest thing I had ever done but the view was so amazing that it made it worth it. I felt so accomplished for being able to complete the hike on my own because I had been nervous I would not be able to do it. It is one of the most incredible places I have ever been. Standing at the peak with the friends I had hiked with was such an amazing moment and an experience I will never forget.

11.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

The ABV USA support was so helpful prior to my trip. I spoke with Sarah on the phone and emailed with her several times when I was trying to decide what program to do and to ask her a million questions once I had chosen to come to Cusco. She was always so informative and helpful and her replies were very quick. She answered all of my questions and helped me feel excited and comfortable about coming to Cusco. I also used the online chatting system to get advice when choosing my flights. Again, the support was detailed, informative, and quick to respond. I also used the Peru guide when planning what to pack on the trip which was very helpful.

12.- What do you think about the reservation system online?


I found the reservation system very straightforward and easy to use. I appreciated the rapid response to my application.

13.- Who did you find Abroaderview website
?

 I knew I wanted to volunteer abroad for a month during the summer and found the a broader view website when I was googling different options for programs. The organization was listed as one of the best options for volunteering abroad so I looked for the website to see what programs were offered. The website was easy to find and straightforward to use which made it easy to look for programs I was interested in.

14.- Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Definitely!

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Gap Year Peru Cusco Review

1.- What was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

The daily schedule to which my friend and I adhered during the medical program was as follows:

1. Arrive at work between 8:30-45 a.m. and check in with the Director of Physical Therapy;
2. Work with children and adults in physical, hydro-, and electro-therapy from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.
3. Help the nurses manage and feed the Hospital’s child residents at lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
4. Return to host family for lunch and siesta from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.
5. Return to the Hospital at 2:30 p.m. to entertain and help the children.
6. Assist the Hospital staff in feeding the children at dinner from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
7. Check out at the Hospital and return to host family at 5:15 p.m.

Total hours –per day: Roughly 7; -in total: 56.

2.- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?


Host Family: The most surprising thing I experienced during my stay with my friend and I’s hostess, Maria Elena, was how compassionate and genuinely excited to host us she was during our trip. From the first moment she picked us up at the airport after we arrived several hours late- and expecting a tremendous scolding – with a only gracious smile, she never lost her enthusiasm for our program over the course of the two weeks we stayed with her, and she went well out of her way to ensure that we would be able to tour the country and its landmarks as soon and efficiently as possible.

Although her children did not live at home with us, they were just as welcoming and excited to see us as their mother whenever they visited, despite being several years older than ourselves.

Program: The greatest surprise of our medical program in Cusco was by far how open and relaxed the daily work was at the hospital. Instead of the no-nonsense staff, rigorous procedures, and strict schedule my friend and I expected, we were instead greeted by a cheerful and patient staff who allowed us to decide where we wanted to work in the hospital, in addition to choosing the amount of time we spent doing each of these jobs.

Thanks to this leniency and trust in our abilities, we were able to dedicate significant amounts of time to assisting the Hospital’s handicapped child residents, whom we grew to know, love, and enjoy helping whole-heartedly.

Country: The most surprising aspect of the country of Peru itself was, in my opinion, how hospitable and helpful the vast majority of its residents were to my friend and me during our stay. When I first arrived, I was terrified by the prospect that my horrific Spanish would prevent me from effectively communicating with the Peruvians and thereby ruin my experiences outside of the Hospital; but the residents of Cusco and the Peruvian countryside greeted my awful efforts with good humor and incredible patience, finding ways to communicate with me so that they might help me as effectively as possible.

Most everybody greeted us with smiles and Hola’s, and every person we interacted with personally, from Hospital staff to tour guides to waiters to vendors, were incredibly cheerful and friendly.

Volunteer in Peru

3.- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?


Host Family: The absolute most challenging thing I experienced with my host family was an endless struggle to figure out how to properly unlock the front door every day to make it to the Hospital on time. Save this most minute of details, and being completely honest, I experienced absolutely no challenges during my time with Maria and her family; they were nothing but understanding and thoughtful, helping me with my terrible Spanish abilities and taking every opportunity to ensure that my friend and I were comfortable and secure at the house.

Program: The most challenging aspect of my work as a volunteer at the Hospital was by far learning to communicate with both adults who did not understand my native language and children who were severely handicapped and thus unable to understand even rudimentary commands and questions.

Overcoming these obstacles required patience from myself, the hospital staff – who helped me to learn phrases and questions in Spanish as often as they could – and the adult patients with whom I worked as we slowly developed means of working around our language barrier; the children, in contrast, required visual, rather than verbal, communication due to their lack of understanding of or inability to use verbal expression.

Country: The greatest challenge I faced in Peru itself was the tremendous change in altitude; being from New Jersey, which stands at a mere 120 meters above sea level, my friend and I found ourselves struggling to adjust to the far thinner air of Cusco, which is about 4,000 meters above sea level.

Even the simplest of exercises such as running or hiking required tremendous exertion from us both and our trip to Rainbow Mountain towards the end of our program found us nearly hyperventilating to cope with the extremely low oxygen levels, to which our bodies were unaccustomed.

4.- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, money, internet)


First and foremost, I cannot stress enough that no amount of challenges such as the ones above should deter anyone from volunteering; our experience at the clinic and in Peru itself was beyond words. That being said, I highly recommend that future volunteers – especially those volunteering during Peru’s Winter season – bring various layers of clothing; the daily temperature changes range from frigid in the morning to very hot in the afternoon, and having options for each temperature will save volunteers from the misery of wearing a winter jacket in 70 degrees weather.

In addition, driving in Peru is rather chaotic, so I advise that future volunteers make frequent use of taxis to get around instead of renting a car; however, I do NOT advise taking personal mementos or valuable items, as they are not worth having around only to possibly be lost or stolen in tourist-heavy areas. The only personal item I brought on the trip, besides necessities, was a plastic pair of Rosaries. Regarding internet: it is a matter of your host family’s needs if you will have access to the internet; although I was fortunate enough that our hostess did have WiFi, I do not advise anticipating having such access, and recommend investing in an overseas plan from your service provider if you desire or need to make phone calls.

Finally: have a GOOD ATTITUDE! Your trip, no matter where you are situated, will be one of the greatest experiences of your life so long as you are flexible.

Volunteering Trip to Peru

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here (besides Spanish):
 

LEARN SPANISH. While this is surely obvious, I was one of the brash few who decided he could probably get by without learning any Spanish, and subsequently suffered in various embarrassing ways.

Host Family: Do not expect ANYTHING from your host family when you arrive, be it a cozy bed or a hot shower or frequent, filling meals. Living conditions and lifestyles in Peru are incomparable to those in the States, and while most host families seem to live in modern homes, it is only to your detriment to expect such facilities as those in your own household, as some families might not be able to afford such niceties.

I reiterate: be flexible! Remember that they are opening their hearts to you to be willing to support your trip and house you and that their efforts and accommodations should be treated only with the utmost respect and graciousness.

Program: While the program needs differ greatly depending on the work selected by the volunteer, I believe it is standard across the board that your program will not be what you expected; Peru is a very easy-going country, and so are its inhabitants.

Therefore, expect to have large amounts of freedom with your schedules, and be prepared to reach out and offer to help in any way that you can; if my friend and I had done neither of these things, we would not have had a fraction of the amazing experience that we were ultimately able to enjoy.

Finally, be charitable and kind even to people who are hard to deal with; one of the children in our care was rather devious, and sometimes went out of her way to disobey or attempt to humiliate us.

In such a situation, remember that you are volunteering to change someone’s life for the better and that not even the harshest of treatment should deter you from that objective of unselfish service to people who are most likely far less fortunate than yourself.

Country: After two weeks in Peru, I am still unable to give specific recommendations as to what one should expect in the country, as it is so vastly different from our own. However, I can advise volunteers on what to AVOID: firstly, any man who approaches you in a city – i.e. Cusco- with a portfolio of artwork is merely trying to peddle cheap and shoddy artwork under the guise of being an “artist;” we encountered no fewer than five of these men at one time during our trip, and while it may seem cruel, sometimes it is best to simply ignore their advances, as they will otherwise refuse to leave until you agree to consider a purchase.

Likewise, do not trust or accept any free coupons from “Massage Spa” representatives on the street; in our time in Peru, I found exactly three legitimate spas, whereas I encountered at least thirty unique “salespeople”- DO NOT TRUST THESE OFFERS.

Finally, any restaurant that offers a “tourist menu” with more than fifteen items listed is nothing more than a glorified bacteria breeding ground that will punish your body in unholy ways. At one such restaurant, my friend and I ordered two completely different kinds of meat and received the exact same meal, and my stomach subsequently suffered in ways I refuse to describe.

Only eat at trusted, professional establishments. Finally, only purchase street-side goods and food if they come in a sealed package, as they otherwise might be contaminated.

Go Overseas and Volunteer

6.- Personal Paragraph about the experience Gap Year Peru (ABV Program Testimonial):


The scenario by which I was introduced to A Broader View and the trip that would ultimately change my life played out as follows:

My friend: “Hey, Corin, I was thinking, and feel free to say no: would you be willing to go down to Peru with me for two weeks to do medical work? It was just an idea I had.”

Me: “Um, sure! Why not.”

… and thus did I find myself, hardly a month later, sleeping in a Peruvian bed in the house of a family I had known for exactly thirty minutes.

My experience as a Pre medical volunteer in Peru was beyond the power of words to describe; it changed my life, and my outlook on life, permanently. From the days that I spent at the hospital helping mentally and physically challenged children to grow stronger, healthier, and feel more loved, to exploring the city of Cusco and the Peruvian countryside, to living and sharing a home with a family that was willing to open its doors to me and my best friend, the experience brought new memories, awesome moments, and learning opportunities that I could never have even hoped for before.

To try to describe my trip in mere words is an exercise in futility. I can only say that I have been truly privileged to have been a part of this program, and will never forget Maria Elana, our hostess; Emily, our fellow volunteer who became a sister to us; Jhoselin, the two year old hospital patient who I fed, cared for, and grew to love each day at the clinic.

The Stafford family, medical volunteers from Texas with whom we grew incredibly close; Enrique, the physical therapist who took me under his wing and guided me through work at the clinic; Maximus, our host family’s trusty, faithful terrier; and so many other people who helped my friend and I on our journey through life in the hospital, Cusco, and Peru.

Go Abroad to Peru

7.- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:


Meals: Nothing short of phenomenal; at home, Maria was a phenomenal cook who guaranteed that we were able to try new foods at every single meal and made sure that we were able to eat and enjoy every ingredient she used before cooking for us.

Security: It was always securely locked at night, fenced in on the outside, and located on a safe and quiet street. Suffice to say that I slept like a baby every single night of my stay.

Friendliness: Maria is nothing short of a second mother to my friend and me; she and her family treated us with compassion and enthusiasm, acting as though we were one of their own instead of complete strangers from another nation.

Quality: The house was well kept, the beds, kitchen, and bathrooms were spotless, the furniture was in fantastic condition, and the showers had hot water; overall, the living accommodation was pristine.

7.1.- Score the following from 1 to 10:

Quality of meals: _10_ if under 5, what was the issue: n/a

Quantity of each meal: _10_ if under 5, what was the issue: n/a

How clean was the house: _10_ if under 5, what was the issue: n/a

How safe was the house: _10_if under 5, what was the issue: n/a

8.- How were the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

Our local ABV Coordinator was none other than our hostess, Maria Elana; and while I believe I have almost exhausted my vocabulary of compliments, she treated us with respect and love from the moment she picked us up at the airport to when she dropped us back off in that same place 14 days later. Elena ensured that our tours were thoroughly planned, affordable, and ran on schedule, guaranteed that we knew exactly what we were doing at our program and when we needed to be there, and effectively handled what few problems we had with time management and touring during our stay.

9.- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:


Volunteer Accommodation: the absolute favorite memory of my host family were the nights we spent staying up late planning for the next day; while this may seem insignificant in and of itself, the chemistry between my friend and I, Maria, and Emily made every conversation hilarious and profound, and I looked forward to those little moments of downtime, planning, and genuine bonding more than anything else at the house.

Program: By far the greatest, and most emotional, an experience I had at the clinic was saying my final farewell to Jhoselin, a two year old resident of the hospital who suffered from developmental retardation. Over the two weeks, I worked at the clinic, Jhoselin and I grew incredibly close, and saying goodbye after 14 days of watching her grow, learn, and develop proved to be the most emotional, powerful, and impressive experience of not just my work at the clinic, but my entire stay in Peru.

Country: My favorite memory from the time spent outside of the clinic and my host family was by far visiting Machu Picchu with my two friends. Besides being breath-taking in its beauty, the ruins provided a great opportunity for us to bond and have fun with one another, and the experiences we had on the mountaintop established themselves as the foundations of my greatest memory of the Peruvian countryside.

11.- How was the ABV USA support prior to traveling Gap Year Peru? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

ABV USA was incredibly helpful, sending me plenty of information packets and reminders to book flights, helping me secure a volunteer insurance card, and emailing me a comprehensive packet to ensure I knew exactly what I needed to have prepared for my trip.

12.- What do you think about the reservation system online?


Put succinctly: it was an excellent system that allowed me to register in under two hours while still remaining comprehensive and loaded with necessary information.

13.- How did you find the A Broader View website?

Through my recommendation of my best friend, Harrison Chen, who introduced me to the ABV program.

14.- Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

While I will be extremely busy this coming year, I would love to make time to help another volunteer have the same incredible experience at any point I can

More Reviews read here

Other blogs

Volunteering in Peru Cusco Review Mary Helfrich Childcare program

1- What was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

I went to the child care center during the week from 8am until the kids left at 1:30pm! This was a perfect schedule because I was able to pass time with the kids, but I also had afternoons free to explore the amazing city of Cusco. At the kindergarten I helped the kids with their work, played with them at recess and even taught them a little bit of English. The classroom that I was in was kids of the age of 5 years old. They were so sweet, loving and free spirited! Their smiles made the volunteer experience amazing.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Host Family: I was surprised how quickly I felt at home at my home stay in Cusco. Once I arrived home, my host mom made sure that I knew where everything was and made me feel like a part of the family. Staying at a homestay in a foreign country really adds a lot of an abroad experience. Home stays allow you to fully immerse in the culture and it always nice to have a family supporting you!

Program: At first I was nervous to go to the volunteer program because I wasn’t sure what I would be doing and if there would be anything for me to do. It was amazing that the teachers and the kids welcomed me with open arms. Each kids greeted me with a big hug and a warm “buenos dias” every morning!

Country: Of course I was nervous to go to a country all by myself, but I was pleasantly surprised that Cusco is full of nice people and I never felt in danger. I also had the chance to go on a city tour of Cusco, which I 100 percent recommend. There is so much history in and around Cusco that it is important to appreciate what is right in the city that you´re volunteering in!

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Host Family: I was lucky enough to have experience with living in a home stay before my trip to Cusco, so entering a homestay in Peru was not too challenging for me. For some advice though. I would say, make sure that you ask your homestay what the rules of the house are at the beginning and discuss any potential issues when they arise. This is will avoid a lot of issues during your stay and will help you feel more comfortable!

Program: The most challenging part of the program is being willing to put yourself out there at your volunteer location. It may feel uncomfortable because your location has a schedule that they follow every day, but stepping out of your comfort zone will help you get the most out of your time.

Country: The most challenging part of the country of Peru was learning the societal norms. Before traveling it is always important to look up information such as tipping and other parts of the culture. Although the people of Cusco were always nice, it was important that I didn’t let my guard down and walked with awareness of my surroundings. Traveling can be amazing but you also just have to remember to be smart!

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, money, internet)

Make sure you bring toilet paper with you just in case. Although your homestay will have toilet paper, sometimes the volunteer locations have limited supplies. Bug spray is also a must if you plan on traveling to Machu Picchu! In Cusco, there isn´t a large need for the bug spray, but once you travel to Machu Picchu, mosquitos become a big problem. As for internet/phone use, if you have AT&T there is a nice deal of 10$/day to use your phone as normal in Peru. I only traveled for a week, so paying that small price a day was worth it so that I could have my phone in case of emergencies rather than looking for wifi.

5- Other things volunteers should know before coming here (besides Spanish):

Host Family: Spend time with your host family! They will really help with your Spanish.

Country: At the airport, get some soles (money of Peru). This will help you when you´re in the airport and when you first arrive to get some water bottles and snacks.

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

Coming to Cusco with A Broader View was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Just like everyone would be if they came to a foreign country alone, I was nervous that something would go wrong or I would find the experience too difficult. With the support of Maria Elena, her family, ABV in America, my volunteer location and the people of Cusco, I was the happiest person ever. I got to volunteer as well as learn the unique history of Cusco, Peru and the Incan people. The US and Peru have so many differences, but by coming to Cusco I have a new appreciation for happiness. Seeing the kids of the kindergarten come to school with big smiles of their faces reminded me that happiness isn’t based on the things that you have, but rather what you make of it!

Volunteer in Peru Cusco

7- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Meals: Delicious! My host mom really listened to what I liked and did not like and always made sure that I had a full stomach.

Security: I always felt secure during my trip to Cusco. The homestay had a fence that locked as well as the front door that both were always locked.

Friendliness: The people of Cusco are so friendly! From my homestay, to the teachers at the kindergarten, to the locals in restaurants, the people of Peru made Cusco feel like a second home.

7.1- Score the following from 1 to 10:

Quality of meals: 10, so delicious and filling

Quantity of each meal: 10

How clean was the house: 10

How safe was the house: 10, never felt in danger or uncomfortable

8- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

The ABV Coordinator in Cusco was amazing! Maria Elena picked me up at the airport right when I arrived, even though I missed my original connecting flight! Once she got to know me as well, she worked with me to set up the best volunteer experience I could possibly have. She always went above and beyond to make sure that I was getting the most out of my experience. She gave me tips of good restaurants, places to see and what to do with my free time.

9- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Accommodation: My favorite memory of my homestay was being able to sit around the table and practice my Spanish. It sometimes can be difficult to practice Spanish back in the US, so being able to talk with Maria Elena and her family made my Spanish improve tremendously!

Program: My favorite memory from the program was seeing the kids smile every day when I walked in the room. They all started calling me their “english teacher” and my mornings become full of teaching them every word they wanted to know in English. They are so sweet and it is grounding how grateful they all are that you are spending time with them.

Country: My favorite memory from Peru is the “home-y-ness” of Cusco and Machu Picchu!! Machu Picchu was an absolutely breathtaking and humbling site to see. I didn’t have anything planned before coming to Cusco, but Maria Elena helped set everything up for me so that I could see the amazing ruins.

10- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

ABV prior to traveling to Cusco was great. They sent me emails regarded tasks that I still needed to complete as well as an in depth guide of tips for traveling to Cusco. All of my emails were answered promptly and when I missed my connection flight to Cusco, someone was available by phone 24/7 to let the ABV coordinator know as soon as possible.

11- What do you think about the reservation system online?

I had no issues with the online application/reservation system! My application was responded to quickly and the process was simple and fast to complete.

12- How did you find Abroaderview website?

I actually just googled volunteering abroad opportunities and it came up as an option. After doing some research into potential programs, ABV had great reviews and I am happy I chose to travel with ABV.

13- Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Of course!

Volunteer Peru Cusco orphanage

Volunteer Peru

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

It was really good, Maria Elena was a great host mom, she was there at the airport as soon as I arrived and she helped me with anything I needed. She took me to my work the first day and to Spanish class and showed me around the town and the places to go. She was extremely helpful.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: I was the only volunteer at the dental hospital, I was expecting there to be a few of us there.

Host Family: How good the food was and how welcoming and helpful everybody was towards me.

Country: The weather! During the day it gets pretty warm and at night it gets pretty cold.

ABV: volunteers choose from many program and many locations, so you may be the only one in one dental program as we have to send other volunteers to other dental programs, we can’t place them all in one program as it will not be conducive for a good experience.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: I was the only volunteer at the hospital so it was very hard for me to talk to the doctors, since my Spanish was not the best.

Host Family: I did not have any challenges with the host family. Maria Elena was great!

Country: The language barrier! My Spanish “was not as good as I thought” so it was very hard for me to communicate/understand others. Practice before volunteering and pay for Spanish lessons.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)

1. If you are going during the summer, bring short sleeve t-shirts for the day because it gets warm!
2. When bringing American money, make sure there are no tears in it because they will not accept it when trying to convert it to soles. This is explained in the volunteer guide.

5.1- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

1. The orientation guide covered everything, I don’t think there is anything else that needs to be added.

Volunteering in Peru

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

I think this was a great experience/opportunity for me. I worked at the dental hospital and it was great to see how different they treat their patients and the different accommodations they have to make. Living at Maria Elena´s was very nice, everything thing here was amazing. She had hot water, wifi and the meals were great! I think if you have the chance you should defiantly volunteer abroad, it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Maria Elena’s house was a great place! She had hot water in the showers, wifi, and you could watch tv (Netflix) in the living room. The meals were great, I was not expecting them to be as good as they were. The house/neighborhood felt very secure and everybody I met was extremely nice.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: Getting to go to the children’s daycare and put fluoride in their mouth, it was great to be able to interact with the kids and help them with their hygiene.

Host Family: Maria Elena had a dance teacher come to her house one night and we all got to learn how to dance!

Country: Machu Picchu, it was by far the prettiest thing Ive ever seen. Once we got to the top it was breath taking.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

The help with the ABV support was great, whenever I had questions I asked them online (chat) and they were always able to help me right away with my questions.

9.1- Who did you find Abroaderview website

My friend went through ABV the summer (2016) before me and also worked at the dental clinic and said he enjoyed it so he was my reference.

10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, I would be willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers .

Volunteer Peru

1.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

I would wake up at around 7:30 am, have breakfast with Marie Elena.  I would volunteered from 8:30am until 12:30 pm, come home and have lunch with family.  Some afternoons were spent volunteering, and some afternoons were spent sightseeing.

2.- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Host Family:  Marie Elena is very kind, and supportive.  She made us feel right at home, always had fresh warm, and delicious food ready for us.
Program:  I worked in dental clinics, and noticed that there is lack of dental restorative materials.  The dentists and dental students have very good skills, but lack equipment and supplies, bring donations.
Country:  I was surprised how cold Cusco was, especially at night.  Also, I was surprised at the skill level of the dentists at the hospital.  They are quite capable, but lack instruments and equipment.

3.- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Host Family: Marie Elena was very nice, and made sure I had a good experience here.  There were no challenges for our family with regards to the accommodation.
Program:  There was a strike at Cusco when we were here, and therefore not too many patients at the hospital.  But I still was able to see a fair amount of patients at the hospital.  The challenge at the hospital is the lack of supplies and equipment.
Country:  I did not expect the high altitude to bother me as much as it did.  I had a hard time breathing for the first couple of days.  It did get better as time went by, but I find I get tired very quickly, and I think it has to do with the high altitude.

4.- Any tips for future volunteers…

Make sure you bring warm clothing, it gets really cold at night.  Take it easy for the first couple of days until your body adjusts to the high altitude if you are over 50.  To dental students and dentist volunteers, bring dental supplies if you can, they can really use it and will appreciate it.

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here (besides Spanish):

Host Family:  We stayed with Marie Elena, and she took real good care of our family.  She made sure we were comfortable, and well taken care of.  She also gave us very good tips about Cusco, and outings.
Program: Come with an open mind, things may not always go as smoothly as you expect.  You may experience a different way of doing things at volunteer location, but will have the opportunity to learn a lot.
Country:  Cusco is a big city, and is quite safe.  Sometimes things get done at a slower pace that you are used to.  People are very nice and always ready to help you.

Volunteering in Peru

6.- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

It has been an interesting experience volunteering in Cusco.  It changed my perspective as to how things are done in another country.  I found the dentists at the hospital to be quite skillful with the limited resources. Cusco is very safe, and people are really nice here.  Marie Elena was really helpful during our stay here.

7.- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Meals:  The food was always prepared fresh daily, and was always delicious.
Security:  I felt very safe in the house that I lived in.  It was in a nice neighborhood
friendliness:  Marie Elena is the best.  Very friendly and welcoming

Volunteering in Peru

7.1.- Score the following from 1 to 10:

• Quality of meals: 10
• Quantity of each meal:  10
• How clean was the house:  10
• How safe was the house:  10

8.- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

Marie Elena met us at the airport when we arrived. She is very friendly, kind and supportive.  She gave us tips how to navigate the city.  She also took time and effort to make sure that  we are happy at the volunteer location.

9.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered, activities you did?

Usually volunteered from 8:30 to 12:30 pm.  Sometimes volunteered in the afternoon also.  The first week, I worked at the hospital.  The second week I was working in the orphanage.

10.- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Accommodation:  We had a surprise good bye lunch.  Marie Elena make delicious food, and desert from scratch, with fresh flowers on the table.  We felt very special.  We will miss her.
Program:  My favorite memory is of people I met at the hospital and orphanage.  I was surprised how resourceful the doctors were, and how patient the patients were.  Everyone is very polite and respectful.
Country:  I enjoyed the beautiful mountains, and scenery.  We travelled to Machu Picchu and although it was a challenge, it was worth it.  The people have a simple life and I learned a lot.

11.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

Support was very good online.  Emails were answered promptly.

12.- What do you think about the reservation system online?

Online support was very good.  Answered all my questions

Volunteer in Peru

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

Maria Elena was helpful from the airport to directing me to my assignment locations.  She often checked in on my progress and was helpful in assisting me with my travel and touring plans.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Unfortunately, with a large teacher and medic strike, and the national independence week, I was unable to provide as much patient care as I would as wished, this was out the control of ABV but Maria Elena did her best to have programs for me. I was pleasantly surprised by the clean and comfortable room I was afforded.  They were very gracious hosts, and the food served was delicious.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

• The lack of enough dental instruments and functioning equipment to be able to use, it was to be expected.
• Accepting the poor protocol practiced in infection control, regarding disinfection and sterilization.

4- Any tips for future volunteers…

1. A command of the language is always helpful.
2. Bring supplies, possibly to donate, i.e. instruments, disposables
3. If visiting in winter, wear layers of clothes
4. Carry hand sanitizer

5- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

One cannot always measure the impact that your service has had on those you have served. That is the unfortunate part. However, it is what you feel from giving of your time and energy to those of less fortune and health.

Volunteer in Peru

6- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

EXCELLENT

7- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: Providing toothbrushes, floss and paste to the children at the orphanage and conducting a program on oral health care.
Host Family: Their graciousness.
Country:  The colorful environment and pride in Inka tradition and culture.

8- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Sarah was always helpful and prompt, whether by phone or e mail.

9- What do you think about the reservation system online?

Functional.

10- How did you find Abroaderview website (keywords, search engine, word mouth to mouth, recommended by .., other).

How I found out about Abroaderview was through the ADA Dentist Volunteer Website.

Volunteer Peru

1.- Whats was a daily schedule at the program, hours volunteered?

I study Spanish in a local school from 8:30-12:30 during the week. After classes, I have a break for two hours. After the break, I volunteer in an orphanage until 5:30. The rest of the evening is mine to spend as I wish.

2.- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Host Family: The family was very welcoming and warm. They make me feel like part of the family. I was not expecting such kind people.

Program: I was surprised about how self-sufficient the girls in the orphanage are.

Country: It was shocking how quickly the weather conditions can change here. It can be warm and sunny one moment and then cold and rainy the next.

3.- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Host Family: In the house, the family speaks Spanish. Although I have studied the language a little in the past, it was very difficult for me to communicate and understand them at first, but I am improving at a rapid pace.

Program: Communication continues to be difficult. This is greatly due to the fact that much of the conversation is in a group and not directed at me. It is sometimes difficult to understand the language.

Country: I was not expecting to negotiate so much in Cusco. From taxis to local markets, there is often not a set price. For example, a taxi driver may say the taxi ride costs 6 soles, but you can and should argue for a fairer price when the drivers try to overcharge.

4.- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, money, internet)

Make sure to bring clothing for layering. The weather is very volatile.

Additionally, the altitude caused me small problems, but I believe the altitude sickness pills I took helped me greatly.

Volunteer in Peru

5.- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

Host Family: It is important to understand that the food may be very different than what is typical in other countries. For example, the people here eat a lot more carbohydrates than in my country. It is important to understand that many of the differences that are experienced while abroad are not necessarily bad. They are just different.

Program: It is important to communicate with the local coordinator if any problems arise. They likely can help significantly. Communication is key.

Country: Cusco is at a very high altitude. It is important to take it easy for the first few days to avoid altitude sickness.

6.- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

I have really enjoyed my time in Peru. Cusco is a beautiful city with many activities. The girls and workers in the orphanage are quite self-sufficient here. The most important thing the orphanage needs from volunteers are donations. These can range from clothing to school supplies to other necessary materials.

7.- How would you describe your accommodation: meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Meals: They are normally very good. One should expect lighter breakfasts and dinners and larger lunches.

Security: The city feels very safe. Like any city, it is best not to be out alone during the night. This is simply practical.

friendliness: Everyone has been friendly here. There have been no problems for me.

Quality: The city is beautiful and has many fun activities for volunteers during time away from work.

8.- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country: Airport, orientation, introduction to the program, schedule of the program, friendliness, solving problems?

The local coordinator is excellent. She is very friendly and responds quickly to messages. She is willing to help volunteers with any problems or with scheduling travel.

9.- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Accommodation: I really enjoyed spending the 30th of August with the family. It was a holiday in Peru, and the entire family gathered and ate at a rustic restaurant. It was a beautiful day.

Program: I really enjoyed communicating with the girls from the orphanage. I remember my first successful conversation with them in Spanish. It felt very rewarding.

Country: I really enjoyed traveling on the weekends and would highly recommend this. Travel was surprisingly inexpensive. I am looking forward to visiting the Rainbow Mountains this weekend.

Gap Year Peru

10.- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? Emails, chat online, calls, volunteer guide:

I found Sarah to be very helpful and friendly through emails. I primarily communicated with her.

11.- What do you think about the reservation system online?

It was very straight forward and easy to understand. I see no problems with it.

12.- Who did you find Abroaderview website
?

I traveled to Peru with my friend, Megan Lacombe, and she showed me the website for the first time.

13.- Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, I am more than willing to communicate with them.

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

All of the staff was excellent. Beatriz was always very nice and patient. She helped me to adjust to the new city/country by showing me around and making sure I had everything I needed. If I even had any questions, she would respond to my emails very quickly.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: I was surprised at how involved and organized everyone in the program was, even in unexpected situations.

Host Family: I was surprised at how well I was able to get to know my host family and how they were, so open and willing to let me be a part of their family.

Country: I was surprised at how many protests and strikes there are (school, medical) I was told its not always like this.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: There weren’t many challenges. The only thing that was somewhat difficult was switching from the volunteering at the school, to the clinic, because of the strikes.

Host Family: I didn’t have any challenges with the host family.

Country: The slow pace of the country was totally different from the U.S., and any other country I visited, so, it took a while to adjust to.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)

1. Be respectful about any cultural differences that might shock you.

2. If you stop in Lima, pick up your luggage at the baggage claim, because they will not transfer it to Cusco, and this happens in all international flights.

3. It’s best not to bring any large electronic items because you rarely will use them.

4. Bring plenty of warm sweaters if you are coming in June or July. It’s colder than it would seem (its winter, read the volunteer guide).

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

I enjoyed every minute of my time in Cusco and have learned so much. Not only things related to my volunteering, but also about myself and the culture of Peru.

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

I never felt unsafe, I had everything I needed in my home. And the meals were always delicious and homemade. Everyone I met in Cusco was friendly and welcoming.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: Getting to know the kids at the school where I was volunteering.

Host Family: Going to eat ice cream at the mall with my host mom.

Country: Watching the parades and experiencing the festivities during the Corpus Christi holiday.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Anytime I had questions, the support team would always email me or call me back quickly and I received answers to all of my questions.

9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?

I think it was helpful and efficient.

9.2- Who did you find Abroaderview website

I found the website while I was researching different programs on line.

10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes.

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

My coordinator was great. She was very supportive and was available when I had questions. She gave great recommendations for things to do around the city. She worked very hard to make sure I had an enjoyable time.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: Being picked up from the airport and having a day to tour the city with my coordinator.

Host Family: My living conditions were clean and comfortable and spacious.

Country: The people were very interested in my hair and dark skin tone.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: No real problems. I wasn’t able to contact my coordinator when my flight was delayed because my phone didn’t work.

ABV: when having delays and your phone doesnt work, ask a local to lend a phone to call the coordinator, or find a cybercafe at the airport to email A Broader View and the coordinator. We are always online for emergencies.

Host Family: Having clean water to drink. I had to buy large bottles because of the water in Peru. Bring a filter water bottle.

Country: Some people were a little too curious ;) and would pull my hair and stare at me for long periods of time.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)

1. Multiple pairs of pants. i.e. jeans, sweat, hiking.

2. Gloves for the clinic. As stated in the ABV guide.

3. Extra cash, so you don’t have to keep going to the ATM.

5.1-Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

a. People of Cusco are nice and are just curious if they talk about your hair and your skin.

b. People in Peru have a different view of “personal bubble” than in USA. They do not mind getting close to you and packing into cars or buses.

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

ABV is a great opportunity to explore a new country and work in a place to learn more about the healthcare system if working in the clinic.

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Perfect! Could not have asked for more.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?

Program: When a patient asked me to work on her wounds and help the doctor take care of her dog bites.

Host Family: Eating a homemade lunch every day and talking about anything that came to mind.

Country: The beautiful views and exciting weekend excursions.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

Everything was very encouraging and speedy fast. I spoke directly with Sarah most of the time.

9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?

I liked the reservation system. I thought the website was a little outdated though.

ABV: we are working on it, we have over 400 pages that need a face refresh, but all the information in the website is up to date.

9.2- Who did you find Abroaderview website

I found ABV through Google.

10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, I am.

1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?

It was really good, Maria Elena was a great host mom, she was there at the airport as soon as I arrived and she helped me with anything I needed. She took me to my work the first day and to Spanish class and showed me around the town and the places to go. She was extremely helpful.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Program: I was the only volunteer at the dental hospital, I was expecting there to be a few of us there.

Host Family: How good the food was and how welcoming and helpful everybody was towards me.

Country: The weather! During the day it gets pretty warm and at night it gets pretty cold. (in summer)

ABV: we have volunteers in different clinics and with different coordinators so no all volunteers get to met, some clinics only take 1-2 volunteers at a time.

3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?

Program: I was the only volunteer at the hospital so it was very hard for me to talk to the doctors, since my Spanish was not the best. Buy the Spanish lessons online in your ABV account, so you can practice before traveling to Cusco.

Host Family: I did not have any challenges with the host family. Maria Elena was great!

Country: The language barrier! My Spanish was not as good as I thought so it was very hard for me to communicate/understand others.

4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)

If you are going during the summer, bring short sleeve t-shirts for the day because it gets warm!

When bringing US$ dollars, make sure there are no tears in it because they will not accept it when trying to convert it to soles, bring new bills.

5- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:

a. The orientation guide covered everything, I don’t think there is anything else that needs to be added.

6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):

I think this was a great experience/opportunity for me. I worked at the dental hospital and it was great to see how different they treat their patients and the different accommodation they have to make. Living at Maria Elena´s was very nice, everything thing here was amazing. She had hot water, wifi and the meals were great! I think if you have the chance you should defiantly come abroad, it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:

Maria Elena’s house was a great place! She had hot water in the showers, wifi, and you could watch tv (Netflix) in the living room. The meals were great, I was not expecting them to be as good as they were. The house/neighborhood felt very secure and everybody I met was extremely nice.

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:

Program: Getting to go to the children’s daycare and put fluoride in their mouth, it was great to be able to interact with the kids and help them with their hygiene.

Host Family: Maria Elena had a dance teacher come to her house one night and we all got to learn how to dance!

Country: Machu Picchu, it was by far the prettiest thing Ive ever seen. Once we got to the top it was breath taking.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?

The help with the ABV support was great, whenever I had questions I asked them online and they were always able to help me right away with my problems.

9.1- Who did you find Abroaderview website

My friend went through abroaderview the summer before me and also worked at the dental clinic and said he enjoyed it so he was my reference.

10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, I would be willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers

Volunteer Programs in Cusco:

Medical / Healthcare

Premedical / Predental