Volunteer Peru: It was really great to be able to meet some many people and experience a completely new culture. Learning all the different customs of the country was really cool, too. The area itself is beautiful, the surrounding mountains are awesome to see everyday.
1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?
The support was great. The coordinator contacted me with the family, program, travel agency, gave me a tour in the city and kept in touch to know how I was doing.
2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
Program: How friendly the kids at the kindergarten were, and how little English everyone knew.
Host Family: The friendliness of the host mom, and meeting a lot of her family.
Country: The food was really good, and the people were pretty friendly.
3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?
Program: Communicating with the children and teachers, who did not speak much English.
Host Family: Again communicating in Spanish.
Country: Dealing with the random people always trying to sell me something.
4- Any tips for future volunteers…
1. If you come in the Winter (Summer in northern hemisphere) it will be colder than you expect (read the Abv guide).
2. There are tons of pharmacies around so don’t feel to need to overpack
3. Be sure to have enough money for sightseeing, and start planning sooner rather than later
4. You will want to buy clothes here so leave room in your luggage.
5.1- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:
a. Cusco is centered around tourism, which has it’s ups and downs.
b. Bring good shoes to walk in.
c. Try different foods, there’s tons of good food here.
d. Make sure you have winter clothing.
Volunteer Peru
6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):
My experience was good. A down side was that the teachers were on strike, so there were several days in which there were no classes. However, that was out of ABV’s control. It was really great to be able to meet some many people and experience a completely new culture. Learning all the different customs of the country was really cool, too. The area itself is beautiful, the surrounding mountains are awesome to see everyday.
7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:
The accommodations were good, no issues. The meals were good as well, although sometimes there was no dinners. The security was good, I had no issues. Everyone was friendly.
8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
Program: Being able to teach and play with the children.
Host Family: Going out to lunch with the other volunteers and host mom.
Country: Seeing Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?:
I think Sarah was helping me organize my trip, and she was helpful. She responded quickly with informative answers.
9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?
I think it worked well.
9.2- Who did you find Abroaderview website:
A volunteer abroad recommendation site