Intern Abroad HQ

Before learning about Intern Abroad HQ, I'd spent time volunteering with their sister organization, International Volunteer HQ. While in Guatemala for 6 weeks, I was able to combine my work on the program with Intern Abroad HQ's experiential learning program. I've been inclined to keep travel journals in the past, but the guidance provided through the Intern Abroad HQ program really helped to provide structure and insight. Although there were challenges with being in a foreign country, and it especially took some time adjusting to differences (such as a second language, different home-stay environment, etc) the reflections provided by Intern Abroad HQ on things like culture, communication, problem-solving and expectations helped me to adapt and think outside the box. I'd recommend that other people consider giving these programs a go.

My experience with Intern Abroad HQ was nothing less than amazing. It was an eye opening and life-changing experience for me. Going into the program I had originally planned on volunteering but when I heard you could intern I realized I wanted to do that instead. My plan is to go into Occupational Therapy and this internship was the perfect opportunity and experience for that. Working with underprivileged children and learning disabilities was something I haven’t done before. Seeing how happy they were to be shown love and support from not only the therapist but other volunteers and interns like myself, was a great feeling. Of course, there were some difficult times while I was there, such as communication and transportation because they are much different than what I am used to from back home. However, if you aren’t a little uncomfortable while traveling in another country and immersing yourself in another culture then you wouldn’t be doing it right  It can be scary and overwhelming but what you learn and who you meet in the end is so worth it! I highly suggest working with Intern HQ and gaining the knowledge and amazing experiences in another culture!

I was looking to go abroad over the summer in between years in college and after much searching, Intern Abroad HQ's opportunities had much lower prices than any other organization. Once I inquired about the Physician Assistant Internship in Cusco, it was very easy to communicate with them any questions or concerns I had before I decided to commit. Once committed to go for three weeks in May, they sent a helpful packet that's easy to navigate and told me exactly what I needed to do and have before departure. They gave me info on where I was living and where the project coordinators were located. Once I got in country, I was picked up by my host mother right outside the airport and taken to my homestay. I had my own room and bathroom despite living with 2 other interns which was nice and my host family was super friendly and welcoming. The food seemed pretty repetitive day to day but given that three meals a day were included in the price and I could simply tell my host I'd eat out instead, I couldn't complain. The first day of work I was taken to Proyecto Peru, the local internship and volunteer organization, by my host mom and introduced to the project coordinators who then took me to my project location, a nearby health center. It was really nice because I happened to live within walking distance of Proyecto Peru, my project site, and the historical center of Cusco. I ended up working in the laboratory of the health center for my three weeks there analyzing patients' blood, urine, and stool. Not at all what I expected going into this but it did give me the necessary patient experience I needed to make it to a PA program one day so it was totally worth it. The laboratory workers were super friendly and talking with them really helped improve my Spanish. I worked Monday through Friday 8-12, which I really liked because it gave me plenty of time during the afternoon and weekends to be a tourist and absorb the culture of Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Proyecto Peru offered many opportunities for interns to socialize Tuesday and Thursday nights so I got really close to all of them and those that I lived with. The only troubles during my time there were dealing with the lack of heating in buildings despite temperatures falling below freezing at night and the lack of running water 24/7 as the city shuts it off during some hours of the night. Other than those issues though it was a very good experience for the price and definitely a great resume builder. I wish I could've stayed in Cusco longer!