What inspired you to go abroad?
Medicine. As a future health care professional in the United States, we see that we have too many resources that sometimes the U.S. does not know how to utilize them all efficiently or effectively. I wanted to go abroad to learn the different techniques, culture, and how doctors overseas are so well off with what they utilize.
Spent 33 hours of the 48 hours in Chachapoyas, Peru in the OR room assisting while on a Medical Campaign
Why did you choose Vive Peru?
I chose Vive Peru because of their willingness to accept who I am and what I could bring to the team that summer. I have heard nothing but good, awesome, reviews from peers that have done the same program.
What was your favorite part about Peru?
The people and their culture. Peru thrives on building relationships and keeping those relationships.
What made your experience abroad unique?
I tend to believe that my ability to go out of my way to interact with the doctors, patients, and my own staff on how it works in Peru is what really made the trip unique and inspiring.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was awesome. Local staff were always accommodating and very open minded.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I had dressed warmer for the winter in Peru, since they have cold weather during the United States summer.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
Wake up at 6:00 a.m., get ready. Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. with my host family. Get to bus and get to the clinical rotation site by 8:00 a.m.. Volunteered from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Take the bus back to host family.
Lunch from anytime from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Whatever time was left was our "free time". From 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., we had community workshops. From 5:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we had medical skills classes and Spanish classes.
Then 8:30 p.m. dinner with host family. Whatever time was left was our free time before getting up at 6:00 a.m. for the next work day. Weekends were our time off where we could travel or do what we see was best fit.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Meeting new people from all over the world and hearing their stories.
Laguna 69, Hurarz
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
I lived with a host family. I liked how interactive they were and how willing they were to get to know the group.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Gain knowledge of where you are going, what you will be dealing with, and to know the seasons for the months.
What was the hardest part about volunteering abroad?
The hardest part was language barrier. I did not know any form of Spanish but being there and experiencing it first hand, I learned a lot.
What is one thing you wish you would have known before volunteering abroad in Peru?
Culture awareness. For example, bringing your own toilet paper to certain public places.
If you could volunteer abroad again, where would you go?
I would like to go anywhere that involves medicine and anywhere that would allow me to learn about new cultures.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of volunteering abroad is?
The biggest benefit about volunteering abroad is learning how to be open minded and being able to learn how to adapt to your surroundings. These are skills not only that you take back with you, but skills that are essential in the professional world.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
The experience was life changing. I made the decision to go back to school after obtaining my Bachelors to pursue Medicine.
Would you recommend Vive Peru to others? Why?
Yes, because not only do you have the opportunity to do things medically that you cannot do in the United States, it shows how much other countries want you to learn as a future healthcare professional.
