What inspired you to work for ISA by World Strides?
I love sharing my culture with my students. They get to learn something about my country and also end up learning about themselves. We have exchange activities with students from Cusco, where our students can learn or improve their Spanish.
They also love our excursions because we travel to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca in Puno, and the jungle of Puerto Maldonado. I see that every day our students become more independent and do activities on their own. Many end up wanting to travel more and continue to see more places.
Describe a typical day at work.
I couldn't tell you what a typical day is because it's a combination of office work, organizing activities, leading tours, sometimes supporting students with medical issues, or helping them achieve their goals. I think that's the beauty of my job: we're always active and helping out with classes and volunteering.
Visiting a Museum with a Fall group.
Why do you do what you do?
I love watching my students mature and start to know themselves better. It’s a challenge because in long programs they often get sick and we are there to help them, and when they recover and continue moving forward, it’s a great joy. I know that they come to study and learn, but in the end, they take away much more; that’s what’s important.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love traveling with my students. We talk about their experiences, and I feel like it allows me to get to know them better. I also love answering their questions, as many of them want to travel more within Peru. I give them many tips and recommendations so that they can have a great experience in my country.
Traveling on the island of Lake Titicaca with a group from Spring
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My studies help me a lot in my work. I use the administrative part for office work when I have to put programs together, and the tourist guide part for organizing trips and giving recommendations. My experience traveling reminds me that each place is a challenge and a learning opportunity, whether it’s the language, the food, or the culture.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Our work is related to tourism and can often be affected by political situations, global viruses, and other factors. We always think about our clients and try to make their experience safe. We have weekly and monthly meetings to monitor our environment to try to anticipate and resolve situations that may arise.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
The best advice I can give to any student traveling is to watch a video of the place they are going to. There are now several videos that show what the place where they will study abroad is like. That helps them confirm the pre-departure information that we give them and have good questions in the virtual meeting before they arrive.
What makes your organization special?
We are known for being there for our students. We give them information about the city, along with recommendations and alerts about nightlife spots. We are also available 24/7 for any emergency and always accompany them on trips and activities.
Andy in Mapi
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
My team, together with the host families, is like a family that always looks forward to accompanying our students in their new experience in a Hispanic country, guaranteeing safety and an exciting experience 24/7. Our students recommend us because our program and the experience of living in the homes of trusted families in Cusco makes security guaranteed.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to be the change in others' lives, and I feel that our students are a true reflection of that. We work toward this with quality classes, engaging field trips, and meaningful activities. Communication is also the hallmark of our program– we greet and speak to our students every day, and have meetings with them to find out how they are improving and how they are doing in their new experience abroad.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
From the first moment they arrive, we ask them about their goals, and those goals become a part of our mission during the program. Students often share similar goals, and we love being there to help them achieve them. At the end of the program, their gratitude and the knowledge that their goals were met fill us with great joy to continue moving forward.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Our students have shown us that traveling helps people become self-sufficient, learn new languages, interact with other students, have new ideas for their profession, have a desire to do new things in their city, and, above all, understand the culture of a new country. They love the cultural experience in Peru. They have 3 regions with different climates and foods that fill them with knowledge.
Welcome and Orientation with the Fall group
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
You are 100% a new person when you learn a new language. You learn about the culture of a new destination because you can communicate and understand the customs and words from that place. It becomes easier to understand the places you visit and the people you meet– their beliefs, their ways of seeing life, and their history, such as that of the Incas in Cusco.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
If you decide to go on an abroad program, you are already a winner. From journeys at the airport, to trying new foods, learning another language, and experiencing a different culture, it will all be exciting. You can’t understand it until you live it. I always recommend that you find out which places you will see and how much food and transportation cost. That way, you can manage your budget more effectively and feel more at ease.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Whenever I return from a trip, I always recount what I have learned. I always learn something. I love to fill myself with a country’s cultural places, museums, stories, and, of course, its food. They are memories that will stay with me forever. Live the moment, live your journey, and live your life!
