Alumni Interview with Pia Mehdwan

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

I really wanted to help people who were less privileged than me and see how I could do that now and when I'm older. Also, just aiding in any way to make people’s lives better or easier just seemed the best way to spend my time and give back. 

Why did you choose Kiya Survivors? 

My school works with Kiya Survivors in a programme called Team Peru. Since I help out a lot in school, I thought that getting the opportunity to see what the organization does first hand would be interesting. 

What was your favorite part about Peru? 

Other than helping out, the people who were also volunteering and also exploring the culture of Peru was a highlight for me. The whole experience was like an adventure that built my character in so many ways. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

Kiya survivors felt like a family. The main person that we interacted with was Rosie (a volunteer) and she honestly made us feel so welcome and showed us how we could help and talk to the children. Another thing that made the experience extraordinary was the opportunity to help the kids through physical labour and also just getting to hang out with them and play with them, even without knowing Spanish. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program? 

The local staff was amazing! As I said, Rosie made us feel like family. The others were full of gratitude and they were always smiling and making us feel a part of the experience. They also extended a hand of friendship along with helping us with our work. 

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like. 

Wake up, eat breakfast, get picked up by local staff, work for a few hours on one task, have a snack, work for a few more hours on another task, hang out with the kids, go home and rest,  go out (with local staff) for activity, eat dinner, and then sleep 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time? 

Learning about the culture through activities like salsa, visiting Machu Picchu, and going to the market.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

We stayed at Mama Delphina's house. She was a local woman who welcomed us and she was amazing. It felt like a home and we had everything we needed provided. 

What advice do you have for future participants of your program? 

Bring sunscreen! Don't be nervous, everyone is happy you are there! Be as helpful as possible and don't complain. The trip is not a vacation, but an opportunity to help others 

Would you recommend your program to others? Why? 

Yes, because it was a life-changing experience that showed me what I was passionate about and helped me improve myself as a person. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

I didn't have as much time as I would have liked and I got sick due to the altitude. If I were to go again, I'd want to be prepared for this. 

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life? 

I look at the things I took for granted differently. I value every meal I eat and opportunity I get. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Learning about a culture, making new friends, and learning new things about yourself.