Vive Peru

I had a really good time and it was really fun. It was hard to get me into the correct hospital but I understand it was due to change in directors. The staff was very welcoming and helpful but I wish I had more of a connection with the interns themselves.

I had an amazing experience volunteering with VivePeru. The staff and homestay were very welcoming, and I had plenty of opportunities to explore my career interests. When something didn’t go as planned, it was clear that the staff went out of their way to find new opportunities. Overall, I highly recommend this program to people interested in global volunteering and medicine.

Volunteering with Vive Peru has been one of the best decisions I have taken in my life. Since day 1 of the program, the coordinators and staff are dedicates to your well being and cultural immersion in a new country. You are exposed to different aspects of the culture that allows you to develop a sense of appreciation for it. Working at the clinical site opened my mind to develop clinical thinking skills and taught me valuable lessons on how it is to practice medicine in an under-resourced setting, on how to deliver compassionate care and exposed me to the basics on how to make independent clinical decisions.

I was recently in Peru during the end of December and beginning of January for 2 weeks. I was able to experience the rich culture, kind people, and different living conditions of Trujillo, Peru. I was also observing medical clinics/hospitals daily. The staff of the program were very helpful, structured, and kind. My home stay was amazing as well (and probably my favorite part because of the Peruvian food). All in all it was a 10/10 experience.

Peru has been the ideal place to feel comfortable and safe, whilst having such a different cultural experience, seeing things so differently from how people see things at home. The people are the most hospitable I have ever met and don’t seem to mind where you come from, they just love sharing with everyone and are super friendly. The kids are rewarding when doing work with them and they find it a novelty having an experience with someone from a different country so are some of the most engaging kids I’ve worked with. You will leave feeling so much more grateful for the world and communities around you, because the community culture and work here really leaves an impact for both sides.

It is a great experience to learn about the culture, improve your Spanish, acquire medical knowledge, and meet amazing people. I loved that I got over my fear of speaking Spanish and spoke to the locals.

It was nice and I feel like I learned alot from this experience. I enjoyed learning about the Peruvian culture and the language. The people you meet are very nice aswell. Made some friends so its good.

Vive Peru was a wonderful experience because I was able to meet and interact with wonderful people. I learned a bit about cultural values, education, food, and family life. I learned a lot of Spanish as well! My program involved shadowing doctors to gain clinical experience for about seven hours a day. Students can select what specialties or areas of medicine they are interested in learning about, and program directors work very hard to connect students with local hospitals in those fields. Because I was in Peru at a time with fewer volunteers, each student had a translator assigned to him or her which helped facilitate the shadowing experience. It was very friendly, safe, and lots of fun. Students also have opportunities to participate in weekend trips to interesting sites and cities. These trips were always exciting, although they were less immersive because I spent more time with American students.

I really enjoyed my time with Vive Peru. I was able to stay in a beautiful home with good amenities and food. I also got the opportunity to shadow physicians alongside a translator to learn more about the medical system in Peru and improve my medical knowledge. I also got to teach kids English which was a rewarding experience.

This program is well connected with several health clinics, and is scheduled in a way that you can make it the way you want it to be. I had a great time in the clinics, watching surgeries, campaigns, and working with the public health project. In our free time we would explore Trujillo shops, cafes, and the night life. Over weekends we visited beautiful cities nearby as well. Overall it was a great program and I’ll definitely recommend it.

Based on your goals as a volunteer, Vive Perú does their best to accommodate you. I volunteered as a US medical student for my global health rotation. Overall this was a great exposure to the medical system and a great opportunity to meet and work with Peruvian health professionals. There were other aspects included in the program, including teaching English to kids and a medical Spanish course.

Great rotation for clinical experience for pre-meds or 1st/2nd year medical students. Incredible homestay and felt integrated into life in Trujillo. Vive Peru staff were so helpful and the translators were great in the clinical settings

Through Vivé Peru I was able to receive irreplaceable public health experience and personal development while living in Peru. I learned so much about community health and culture that I am so grateful for!

My time in Peru was amazing. It was a great experience to be surrounded by an unfamiliar culture. Vive Peru did a fantastic job of making me feel comfortable and taken care of. My only negative experience was some of the organization components of the trip. There would be some days where I had nothing going on, and I struggled to keep myself busy. Other than that, everything was amazing. Amazing people, travel opportunities, community, and volunteers. My sister and I visited a different part of Peru every weekend and loved it. I 100% recommend this trip to anybody considering!

A summer in Peru with Vive Peru was an eye-opening experience. It's an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, especially in the healthcare setting. It's also a great way to learn Spanish on the fly and make new friends along the way! We had an amazing host mom who took great care of us and made sure we were safe and enjoying all the Peru had to offer. Peru is a beautiful country and I definitely recommend participating in an experience like this!

loved Vive Peru and the coordinators! the whole trip was a very independent experience and you were able to really submerse yourself into the city. it was truly an unforgettable experience and i’ve been planning on my return trip to Peru.

Participating in the Vive Peru program was so rewarding! I not only got to learn about the Peruvian health care system but also the culture in a way that would not have been possible without the program. Getting to live with a host family helped expose me first-hand to the culture and language of the country. This program helped immerse me into the history and culture of Perú by organizing events for the volunteers to go to. When I first joined the program I thought it would exclusively be a shadowing experience but was surprised at how open the medical staff were at letting me participate in patient evaluations and other activities. Overall I was really happy with the 5 weeks I spent in Perú!

Vive Peru taught me so so much about the Peruvian healthcare system as well as the Peruvian culture and history. I felt like I became part of the community here and will carry the memory of these 5 weeks with me forever.

I came to Peru not knowing much about the country. While I have been here I have not only learned about this country and the culture, but also so much about medicine. We interact with the locals every day and help with their care. Shadowing and helping so many different doctors in different specialties gave me a good view on what I think I might want to go into in the future. Working with teaching the kids English too was so fun, and the kids were the sweetest ever.

During my time in Perú, I had the opportunity to experience the medical system and learn a lot from different rotations and physicians. Also, I was able to emerge in the community and feel part of the locals. My host family was very welcoming and always made me feel like at home.

Viveperu surpassed all my expectations for a summer medical internship. I had access to view surgeries and procedures that I could never before, even as a nursing student in the US. I was able to learn and practice medical skills such as vaccinations, sutures, triage, and IV insertion. I have gained an immense amount of knowledge from the kind Viveperu staff and partner doctors and nurses. The hospitals we were placed in were very accepting and allowed us full access to all specialties. This program is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would 100% recommend if you are looking for hands on medical experience where you learn by DOING.

Everything about this program allowed for an immersive experience in Peru, while also supporting me with the information an resources necessary for a worthwhile volunteer experience. From safety, to weekend trips, pretty much every aspect of this experience was well thought-out and executed. With the teaching english program specifically, I was able to both assist with professors at a local university (Universidad Cesar Vallejo) and lead my own English Conversation class at El Cultural. Overall, I was able to grow as an English teacher while gaining a worthwhile immersive experience in Peru.

Vive Peru puts together an excellent program! I was able to learn, observe, and practice skills in a hospital environment, which would not be possible in the United States at my current level in school. I always felt safe while also getting to challenge myself in a different country with a different language and a different healthcare system. My days were filled with shadowing doctors in the hospitals, putting on vaccination campaigns, community campaigns, practicing Spanish, medical classes, and interacting with the kind and caring people of Peru. I am so grateful for this experience and will never forget it!

The public health program of Vive Peru focused on Señor de Los Milagros, a Community here in Trujillo that with Vive Peru's help has reversed the growing health problems in their population through education and community involvement. Through home visits and workshops with community leaders, we became very involved with the people there, were made to feel very at home and like the work we were doing was really having an impact.

I got to spend two months in Peru living with a host family and gaining experience in the medical field through visiting different hospitals and clinics. I also got to volunteer in different health campaigns and other public health opportunities. I loved the experience overall and feel that I really got to know the Peruvian culture and learn more about Spanish and the medical field.

This is a great program with a lot of hands on experience. It is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a new culture while gaining invaluable insight on Peruvian healthcare systems and medicinal practices. This program gives a lot of opportunities to shadow and look in on surgeries or consults with patients. This program also sets you up to travel Peru and visit prime tourist locations. It is highly encouraged to travel on the weekends and it is so fun. The host families are amazing and it is a great way to live the Peru life. I would recommend this program to anyone, but also be prepared for some disorganization.

I had such an amazing time with Vice Peru. I really was immersed in the Peruvian culture and had incredible hands-on experience. My host family was incredible & I learned more than I ever thought I would within the medical field. I watched surgeries (including a brain surgery!!!!!), removed stitches, & gave MANY vaccines. I made so many friends and I loved every minute of this experience.

I loved my time in Perú! The Vive Perú staff is friendly, welcoming, organized, and helpful. It is a small organization so you get to know every staff member and volunteer. The thing I liked most about this organization was the opportunity to work so closely with the community and to get to build relationships and see the impact you are making. The work is extremely hands on and you get a ton of room to take a leadership position instead of working behind the scenes like many volunteer positions in the states. I really feel that I would not be able to find this experience in the states. I got to know Perú and it’s people and culture through the program, and I am so grateful for that. My host mom was also incredibly sweet, welcoming, and accommodating. Home cooked peruvian food is like no other! You get a good amount of time to explore on your own as well and take weekend trips in addition to the volunteer work. This is also a really great way to practice Spanish because there is so much opportunity to speak with locals. However, the program does a good job of accommodating non-speakers as well. Overall loved my experience with Vive Perú!

The vive Peru program was an amazing experience. We got to experience the culture of Trujillo and live with the best host family ever. We also had a great clinical medicine program in which we shadowed doctors, helped with medical campaigns and watched surgeries. We also went to the community in the afternoon and worked with the children teaching them different life lessons. It was overall an amazing experience!

I absolutely loved this program! We got to see so many different specialties and procedures, got to participate in medical campaigns, and take medical and Spanish classes. It was a very informative program because we got to shadow so many different things. It is a great program and any pre-med wanting to study abroad MUST look into this program!!

This program focuses on public health in poor communities in Peru and also working in hospitals and health centers in Peru. It's a great way to learn about Peruvian culture and their health care system and health challenges. Living with host families is an irreplaceable experience.

Had such a great time! Wasn’t sure what to expect but it definitely exceeded my expectations! The welcome activities were super fun and the group was awesome. The coordinators are very helpful and fun too. We did a lot of work in the community and the kids are great. It’s very eye opening to see the differences between the US and Peru. It was also interesting to learn about the Peruvian health care system and how the way they do it here. So happy I chose to do this program and definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the health care field or learning about other cultures!

This program was absolutely incredible. I highly recommend to anybody who wants a fully immersive experience in Peruvian culture and healthcare. On the weekends we were able to do incredible weekend trips and during the week we got hands-on experience in hospitals. We also did extensive community work at local schools through medical campaigns.

During the summer of 2019, I spent one session working with Vive Peru as a social work volunteer. The experience was absolutely incredible, and I would highly recommend it. My host family was so warm and welcoming, and my host mother was a spectacular chef. During the weeks, I helped to plan and execute workshops and activities for children in the Trujillo community and local foster homes. The experience was very rewarding, and volunteers are given a lot of leeway to give the workshops their own personal twist, leading to a feeling of being truly involved and making a difference. On the weekends, Vive Peru volunteers are free to travel and the staff works to help plan all weekend trips. We travelled all over Peru inexpensively on the weekends, and it was a ton of fun! If you are looking to be truly immersed in the Peruvian culture while also having an impact in the community, Vive Peru is the program for you!

Being able to study abroad in Peru was the best experience I have done! I was able to not only volunteer & give back to the community but travel to different destinations in Peru; I got to have my cake & eat it too.

I had a wonderful time, met wonderful people and made local Peruvian friends that I am going to be sad to leave. Worked with children a lot but did not do much healthcare teaching with them. Was not at all what I thought was going to happen, I had a vision more of working in clinics, hospital, learning about the Peruvian healthcare system, improving lower income communities with strict direct healthcare. Instead there was lots of babysitting going on while the teachers did most of the healthcare teaching with moms of communities and future volunteers need to know that so they can expect that because personally I am not good with kids and chose a major that is healthcare work based not a teacher major.

I had a great time living in a new culture for six weeks. Working with the community was an awesome thing to do! I fell in love with the children of the community! Being able to make a difference in the people’s lives was great! I am forever thankful for everything that I was able to learn from them and everything that they were able to learn from me. I loved living with a host family. I will forever stay in touch with them they now feel as if they are my second family. I couldn’t be more thankful for this experience in another culture. I will take home so much from this experience. I have found some of my favorite foods here I have found a sense of how community should be. I found out more about myself and what I would like to do with my life.

I loved this experience. It taught me so much and opened my eyes to many new things. In the US everything is provided so to provide resources to those who can’t afford anything is a fantastic feeling.

I am forever thankful to Vive Peru for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling to Peru and working in a Latin American country and a different health care system. This was a great experience with a lot of cultural immersion, practice working in the community and talking to families in Spanish about anemia prevention and nutrition. I learned so much about the Peruvian healthcare system and loved spending my free time exploring different parts of Peru. I am so thankful to Vive Peru staff for all of their help coordinating, planning, and simply being there for us while we adjusted to being abroad. Peru is incredible and I highly recommend this program if you’re looking for a program to practice your Spanish, work in a healthcare setting, meeting health professionals, and working directly with a low-income community.

I had a life changing and eye opening experience, ill take what I learned here with me everywhere. I have actually decided to change the focus of my career to researching and trying to rebuild the cognitive ability of children suffering from anemia.

Volunteering with Vive Peru was an unforgettable experience. I had the chance to immerse myself in the beautiful culture of Peru and explore the country on the weekends, all while helping out the community during the week. I know they have impacted my life for the better and I hope I did the same.

Coming to Peru I was not sure with what to expect... I hadn’t been out of my home country much. The culture in Peru is very different but very interesting and enjoyable. Through Vive Peru, I was able to observe surgeries, spend time in the ER to watch cases and patients come in and out, participate in triage within the hospitals, and get involved within the local community through medical campaigns. The friendships, knowledge, and experiences I had gained over my three weeks in Peru is something that is going to stick with me for the rest of my life.

Vive Perú allowed me to impact the world around me in a way I didn’t think possible. Not only did I grow as a person while experiencing raw life, but I was able to see the impact I was making daily. I got experiences that I can confidentially say not a majority of people have! The organization and structure of the program allowed for a fluid and effective process!

I had an incredible experience shadowing doctors and learning medicine in Peru. I met so many great people and traveled to tons of beautiful places. The staff at Vive Peru helped book all of our weekend trips and made the volunteer experience as easy and simple as possible. I loved watching surgeries and participating in all the hospitals.

This was a very organized and well planned trip. I got to engage with the community a lot and learn about the culture in Peru. I also got to explore many beautiful areas of Peru. Overall, it was an eye opening experience that has changed my outlook on medicine.

VivePeru is an amazing experience! I would highly recommend this program if you are interested in the health field and working with people! All the host families are so friendly and make living in Trujillo a breeze! Speaking Spanish is not required!

So much was learned and so many cool and amazing parts of the world were seen. I met so many great people and I would recommend this trip to all of my friends. The coordinators were helpful and kept us safe and sound the whole time.

Vive Peru is an exceptionally run program in which the volunteer get HANDS ON clinical experience. I got to actually scrub in on an appendectomy and HOLD IN MY HANDS the appendix. The coordinators would literally risk their lives for you and never once did I feel like I didn’t have someone to ask questions. They even do EVERYTHING for your weekend trips including booking busses and hostels for anything your group wants to do. We went to Huaraz (lagoona 69), Mancora (basically a lit party), and Huanchaco (another beach). We also did some community outreach with some kids with mental illness and that was so touching. Every single aspect of this program is amazing. I went because several of my friends went before me and I just can’t wait to tell all of my friends about it too.

This definitely changed my life! Not only the weekend trips but also the time spent volunteering with children in the community and the hospital work we did. The people I met on this trip became some of my best friends and the relationships I built with the coordinators and other Peruvians are relationships I will cherish for life!! This was such an amazing trip and I highly recommend any college student take this trip, push themselves out of their comfort zone, and enjoy the fun and rich Peruvian culture in Trujillo!!

I was able to intern with Vive Peru by focusing on health education, parasite prevention and assisting with health campaigns. At the time, I was trying to find a place where I could complete some internship hours in order to receive my B.S. in Public Health. This abroad experience fit perfectly into what I was looking for. I learned a lot from the staff, community and the peers around me throughout my volunteer experience. I met some amazing people, that I will never forget and had an awesome time immersing in the culture and trying new foods. The ceviche was delicious! My host mom was such a kind and very lovely women. She was always so sweet. I also got to do some work in the community, Senor de Los Milagros, and the families and children there will brighten up your day. They are always so excited to meet you! Everyone you meet, will try to make you feel right at home. I always felt safe and comfortable. This experience is very hands-on, and I would definitely recommend it to others looking for a way to help others while traveling abroad.

Above all, what truly made the Vive Peru experience for me was the staff. Vive Peru's full-time coordinators truly live the work they do, and I have witnessed them go out of their way to help the people around them, whether those people are locals in their community or volunteers coming from overseas. They have made me realize that the best way to help a community is to understand on a deep level the background of that community, and they will encourage you to understand the communities of Peru that you are working with. I also had the chance to learn a lot about Peru's healthcare system and the culture of a place that operates very differently than the United States does.

I had the most amazing experience with Vive Peru. Being able to be fully immersion into the Peruvian culture and stay with a host family was so rewarding. The medical work was hands on and all the doctors were willing to teach us volunteers. I can’t thank this program and the staff enough for the experiences that I have had in Peru!

This program was so wonderful! I was able to help teach English at three different schools while I was here, help the community, and really become immersed into the Peruvian lifestyle. I made life time friendships with everyone here and was able to create amazing memories. The program makes sure we are well taken care of and ensures our safety and happiness, they are always willing to go above and beyond for us.

I loved everything about this program. The people, the staff, and the program were exactly what I had hoped for in not only teaching English abroad, but also in immersing myself in Peruvian culture. They are super supportive in every aspect of the program, I highly recommend volunteering with them.

I have been with Vive Peru twice now. The most recent time was in the summer of 2018. As a public health intern I spent time working in her community, doing projects with the leaders of the community, and organizing health campaigns. I gained a lot of experience. I was also applying to dental school and the coordinators allowed me to shadow a dentist during one of our campaigns which was a great experience. They are great at working with you, but you may have to stay on them to get it done. In addition, I had an amazing but homestay. I loved my host (grand)mom and roommates. We also had the weekend to travel and get to know peru, so be prepared for spontaneous weekend trips. Due to difference in the culture somethings things can seem a little disorganized, but for anybody looking to gain experience in an immersion situation (while frustrating) this is part of being exposed to the culture. Overall, I have loved my experience with Vive Peru. Prepare to be flexible and take any opportunities that come up and you will have a great trip.

Studying abroad with Vive Peru was an amazing experience. Throughout my study abroad I learned a great deal about Public Health in Trujillo. I also got to learn about the culture and community in Truijllo. One of the best part of the program were the people that you work with and build relations with throughout your time in Trujillo. The community that we got to work with is incredible, they are so kind and open to new ideas. The kids at Señor de los Milagros will literally melt your heart with their adorable smiles, love, laughter, and intelligence. The entire community of Señor de los Milagros is marvelous and the promotoras do an amazing job helping the community prepare for health initiatives and aid the community in a new healthy lifestyle. If Vive Peru did not only do a great job of finding a community that was truly incredible to work with, but they also did an amazing job finding host family placements. The host family I stayed with also played an important role in my study abroad. The family I stayed with welcomed me into their home with open arms and I couldn't be more grateful for their kindness, patience, and love throughout my time in Trujillo. They were so incredible that I felt at home with my host family. The host family is where I also got to learn about culture and community in Trujillo. The family took my roommates and I to family functions, new activities (fútbol games), taught us how to make chocolate, and other amazing foods. The family was truly amazing and I still talk to my host family even after months of coming back from the study abroad. Now all of these memories and possibilities wouldn't have happened without the staff, volunteers, and the director of Vive Peru. They truly want you to have an amazing time in Peru, they not only want you to learn about Public Health in Trujillo but they also want you to have an amazing experience in Peru. They work on and off the clock to make sure that the volunteers are getting the best of their time in Trujillo. Vive Peru is a hands on program that truly helps capture what it's like to live in Trujillo.

Vive Peru exceeded my expectations. The staff is very knowledgeable in all aspects of public health and provided a mixture of both hands on activities and insightful seminars that were related to the Peruvian healthcare system and public health. They continue to impact various communities and schools year round. The most memorable experience for me was working with the community health educators (promotoras) and the children of the community Señor de Los Milagros (SLM). I also had the privilege to help assist in the anti-parasitic campaign and human papilloma virus (HPV) campaign while also crafting helpful health lessons to teach the children at SLM. My overall experience with my host family was exceptional. I honestly believe that my experience would have not been as amazing as it was if I didn't have an amazing host family and group of amazing advocates (Cesar and Claudeth). Thank you Vive Peru for such a memorable experience! I look forward to going back to Peru soon!

The overall experience was great. I have really appreciated the opportunity to be part of the mission, help where necessary, translate ENG-ESP and immerse into the local culture and customs. Neverthless, being already a dental professional, I would have appreciated to be able to provide even the specific healthcare. However, this programme is a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in the topic and/or medicine and/or voluntary work in healthcare.

This by far was one of the best experiences of my life. I have been fortunate enough to have done a previous study abroad program a few years ago through a different program but this was by far a better experience. The VivePeru staff is amazing and a great group of people. They are extremely helpful in planning weekend trips and always make sure you are happy and healthy throughout the duration of the program. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to have a great time abroad while at the same time being able to give back to the community and learn about healthcare in Peru.

Everyone at vive Peru is so ridiculously friendly and ridiculously helpful. The communication between the program coordinators and the volunteers is really good, and the more you communicate with them the better the experience will be. For this program in particular, you are able to see the intricacies of the Peruvian medical system from the healthcare system to inside the examination rooms. The experience is what you make it, and the people you are with are incredibly important. The more you communicate on what you want to get out of the experience and what your expectations are, the more you will experience and the more you will be able to do. Also, take weekend trips! Vive Peru has a wonderful coordinator that will help you plan step by step your adventures, and there is SO MUCH that you can do and see in Peru. Would recommend 1000000%. I love this program a lot, and as cliche as it is, this is an experience that will shape your outlook on life.

I loved this experience! This experience shaped me into who I am today! I am now in University studying to be an English and Spanish teacher! I loved practicing my Spanish every day and getting to know people

This was a great program to experience the healthcare system, interact with families in the local communities in Peru, to explore the country and learn about the culture. The schedule of the program was set up to where you get to experience a community or medical setting everyday day during the week with the weekends free.

My experience was amazing with Vive Peru. I made long lasting friendships, and met some wonderful people along the way. I also gained hands on experience on what it’s like to do public health work within a community. I worked with health promoters, kids, doctors, social workers and nurses. We worked within the communities, in schools and in the local health clinics. I learned a lot about health education and how to implement heath topics into a classroom setting, and encourage life style changes for the better.

I came here as part of clinical medicine and I learned so much more than that. I was able to teach in schools and connect with university students my age as well as venture into less fortunate parts of the town to do public health education there. I connected with the other volunteers so well and we hung out everyday. I learned so much about myself through this program as well as having a great time, and I hope I was able to impact the community as much as they impacted me.

Throughout this program I was not only able to volunteer, shadow, and participate in medical activities in clinics, hospitals and campaigns in Trujillo and Pacasmayo, but I was also able to participate in community activities that allowed me to fully experience the Peru’s culture. I absolutely loved volunteering with Vive Peru and I believe I gained valuable experience in the medical field that will aid me in my efforts to attend medical school in the future. I have also made long lasting friends, and was able to fully immerse myself in Peruvian culture and learn more about the health/medical needs of this community. My goal when I become a physician is to work with underserved Hispanic populations and I believe that this volunteer experience was an excellent way for me to begin working towards my goal.

Words cannot even begin to express the impact my experience with Vive Peru has had on my career and academic life. After graduating with my BS in Public Health, I was looking for an abroad experience that was based in public health, allowed me to practice my Spanish (in other words no too advanced), and wasn't extremely expensive. After hearing great reviews from other classmates in my degree cohort, I decided to apply for the 2-month stay. The application process was a bit lengthy but once it was completed, I was swiftly accepted and able to start to process of planning my trip. Everything from the travel to the orientation week was really well planned and made me feel safe and comfortable in my new home. I didn't realize how rusty my Spanish was until I was in Peru, but my Peruvian host mother made me feel right at home, helped me with my basic Spanish, and did everything she could to make me feel at ease. My homestay was walking distance from the Vive Peru office and the commute quickly became one of the favorite parts of my day. My duties with Vive Peru were focused on health education, parasitic prevention, and volunteer coordination. I was responsible for programming the health education for an after-school program aimed at ages 14 and under in the vulnerable neighborhood of Senor de Los Milagros. I developed materials for Community Health Workers, or Promotoras, including home visit scripts, educational materials, and community activities. Additionally, I led interview skills training for the Promotoras to improve the impact of the home visits within the community. Alongside the Promotoras, I conducted 15 qualitative home visit interviews to assess general health needs and parasitic risk factors within the home. As part of a nationwide effort, I participated in the Peruvian Parasitic Prevention Campaign by providing education and distributing antiparasitic medication to over 200 individuals in neighborhoods, school, and markets. Lastly, since my time in Peru was longer than the average volunteer, I facilitated orientation activities for other incoming public health volunteers. Overall, the experience really deepened my appreciation for public health and vulnerable populations. My Spanish improved considerably along with my ability to adapt in difficult situations. I made lifelong friends with the coordinators I worked with and have plans to return and continue working with the organization during my Masters in Public Health.

Coming as a new volunteer to Peru was a scary and exciting thought. Vive Peru not only made my experience safe and comfortable, but memorable with plenty of activities that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The Global/Public Health program in Trujillo, Peru immersed me in the beautiful Peruvian culture, while also highlighting the health challenges that these communities face. Us volunteers were very hands-on with health campaigns, school lessons, home visits, a mural, and other program components that directly affected the community. I really felt as though I was part of the community and making a difference, rather than an observing stranger. Apart from the fulfilling week of work, the weekends were left to us to explore the many attractions of Peru. I have made lifelong connections and friends from the 6 weeks that I was volunteering in Trujillo. The home stays, program activities, and staff all exceeded my expectations as a volunteer.

This program was an awesome experience! Clinical experience involved shadowing, working with kids and parents in the community, and getting hands on at times. There are also a surgeries that can be watched at the hospitals at times. As for the staff, they are a great group of individuals who are willing to help you in any way they can and will assist you with work, illness, planning trips, and are awesome just to hang out with. The host family was amazing and made the trip so much better. They take you in with open arms and make really really good food!

I loved my experience with VivePeru. When I was initially terrified, alone, and uncertain, the program staff went out of the way to make all of the volunteers feel welcome. We quickly bonded, becoming fast friends excited to explore Peru. The program maintained a good balance between volunteer commitments during the week and free weekends to travel, explore, and more. The staff go out of their way to help you engage in activities that interest you, and are willing to help you with anything. The volunteer work, though not what I expected, was more meaningful than I could have ever imagined. My only regret is wishing I could stay longer!

Internships/Volunteer work like this is not available or very restricted before you get your bachelors or MD and this gives you the opportunity to shadow doctors and participate in medical campaigns without those restrictions. Weekend trips were great, the coordinators were super nice and so helpful whenever we had a question. I had such a great overall experience and would 10/10 recommend! I’m planning on going back next year because I had such a great time.

I loved this experience! It was amazing to spend a month abroad learning about a new culture and contributing to my experience as a social worker. I would recommend this program because they also help plan your weekend trips. However, sometimes it was unclear what activities we would be doing the communication was a little confusing at times. Overall, it was a great experience and for the price it's highly recommended

Really enjoyed my experience with Vive Peru in Otuzco! The program was a good mix of work and learning, along with fun and exploring the country. I thought that Vive Peru offered a good amount of support throughout my time there, and the program as a whole was well organized. I gained a lot from my experience in Peru, both in terms of medical knowledge and in terms of self growth!

I participated in the VivePeru Summer 2017 Session One program and the experience was nothing short of amazing! I lived in Trujillo with two other girls in the program and we stayed with a host family who cooked us home made Peruvian meals everyday! Monday-Friday we went to work at the hospitals. We were able to be observe doctors in their everyday life to life situations in the hospitals and we even got to watch a few surgeries! On the weekends we didn't have work so we traveled to many different places and were able to hike in the most beautiful mountains. This was an experience of a life time and I am so sad to be leaving! There is no better way to meet new people, learn Spanish, learn about medicine, and experience a new and amazing culture all in one!

My experience in Peru was truly amazing! I learned so much in just a short 5 weeks, and I was able to meet some awesome people along the way :) I would recommend this program to anyone who has a heart for traveling and is interested in clinical medicine/public health or social work!

I am so happy to have spent the past month in Otuzco, I fell in love with the town, the family who hosted us, and the doctors who we worked with! They all did everything they could to make our experience memorable and educative. I also enjoyed returning to Trujillo and traveling on the weekends for a change of scenery and to get to know more of Peru!

Vive Peru gave me an opportunity to explore and understand Peruvian culture all while giving service to the local community. As a clinical medicine volunteer, I could not have asked for a more involved experience where I gained invaluable clinical insight. The physicians and nurses were also very accommodating and welcoming despite having a language barrier; they sincerely wanted volunteers to experience Peruvian healthcare. All individuals involved with Vive Peru were always so friendly and understanding, making this a program I would gladly repeat given the chance.

I didn't really know what to expect when coming to Peru for this program, but I was completely blown away by how amazing of an experience this was. From making life-long friends to traveling around the country on the weekends to going out into the communities, I truly had the experience of a lifetime.

Coming into this program, I had no idea what to expect. I had always wanted to do something abroad, but I had never done anything like it before. This was the perfect first experience traveling to another country. Being in the clinical medicine program, I was able to see surgeries and shadow doctors in areas that I hadn't had the opportunity to shadow in the U.S. It was somewhat difficult overcoming the language barrier, but there were always people to help when needed, and the whole experience just taught me how to listen. The medical campaign that was built into the program was one of my favorite parts because we had actual hands on patient care. This part of the program was what truly convinced me that I wanted to be a pediatrician. In addition to this, we worked with a couple of communities, which was so humbling yet so empowering. Being able to contribute to these families and work with the children has given me some of the most rewarding memories. Lastly, the coordinators and the people that were a part of the program made the experience as great as it was. I'm able to leave saying I've made friendships that have made me feel like I've known these people for more than 3 weeks, and I know I'll keep in touch with everyone after my session is over. This is an experience that everyone needs to have. Vive Peru allows you to find the perfect balance between traveling to a foreign country and immersing yourself in its beautiful culture!

Vive Peru is an outstanding program. The staff is wonderful and made this trip a memorable experience. I would highly recommend Vive Peru to anyone interested in clinical medicine abroad. I was able to get hands-on experience as well as shadowing physicians in various hospitals. It was a privilege to spend my winter break with Vive Peru. This experience was truly invaluable.

I thought this experience was wonderful. I was shown a different perspective on life. The culture, communities, and healthcare system are so different from my own so I found great pleasure in experiencing Peru's.

I stayed in Trujillo, Peru and was able to stay for 5 weeks, with the best host family i could have asked for. This experience was the best travel abroad experience I have ever had and I am planning on going back in the future because it was so great. The staff of Vive Peru (both in America and Peru) are so helpful, friendly, and willing to answer any and all questions and the community members that we work with (in Peru) are so grateful and unforgettable. The mix of hands on experience and shadowing opportunities we were given was great, and I was able to witness a lot of surgeries and procedures including C-sections, laparoscopic surgeries, tooth extractions, a live birth and others! Furthermore, we also got the opportunity to work with children in an underprivileged community which is one of my fondest memories. I really felt like I made a difference in the community I worked in but also was not too overwhelmed with volunteering and was able to travel on the weekends to explore more of Peru. Overall, I would not change this experience for the world and would recommend this program to anyone interested in travelling and making a difference at the same time.

As a Public Health volunteer, we were working directly with the community on a daily basis. I think the best part of the program is the continuity of community work. This is not a program that does one good deed and leaves - instead, the projects are ongoing and picked up by each new volunteer class per season (volunteers visit year-round and Vive Peru staff work in the community year-round as well). We conducted home visits centered around health and quality of living and community health workshops for mothers, and we also taught health workshops in local schools. We had the opportunity to participate in 3 medical campaigns in different communities, where many different health organizations came out together to provide free health and wellness services to those who inhabited each area. At these campaigns, we worked in triage (taking vitals), a hemoglobin "lab" (collecting blood samples), and a pharmacy (exactly what you imagine someone working at a pharmacy does). Creativity and taking initiative was encouraged by staff, and we were able to put some great ideas to work in the community! Overall, my experience was exactly what I wanted it to be. Thank you Vive Peru! #teampublichealth

Its an experience of a lifetime full of volunteer opportunities, health experience, and most importantly community impact! As a clinical medicine and public health volunteer not only did I get to make an impact on several communities, I gained experience for my future career goals. One of my favorite parts of the program was working with kids with our health education campaigns and bonding activities. This program also offered opportunities to explore paths that I might of not done otherwise. Great experience, that will make these memories priceless.

There were many activities I loved doing while completing my internship in Peru with Vive Peru. I had the privilege to be in Peru for two sessions doing Public Health as well as Clinical Medicine which gave me a perspective of both. I was able to do home visits, help in clinics, do campaigns, and go to the elementary schools to promoting health bas well as shadow doctors in surgeries and learn about different specialties. One challenge we faced every day is the lack of resources and the socioeconomic status of the families we visit and the children we teach. The communities we visit have a very low socioeconomic status and when promoting health, we have to be careful on what we tell them since in many situations, they aren't able to afford the healthier foods we tell them to eat. In addition, when we go to the elementary schools, it is hard to tell the children to change their toothbrush every 3 months when they barely have enough money to eat. I have learned that even if we face these challenges, we can do something to be able to help them. Vive Peru and the volunteers help these families with resources that were donated so they can be able to live a healthier lifestyle. In addition, my coordinators have experience with these communities and I have learned so much from them to be able to do a better job. For other health professionals that are facing this challenge, I would start by developing a close relationship with the people of the communities and learn everything about them to be able to help them better. In addition, the experience gets even better since you are placed with a host family and get to learn so much about the Peruvian culture which is one of the best cultures I have ever experienced. You also get to meet great people in this program with similar goals which is awesome because you leave with all these friendships that can give job opportunities in the future. 10 weeks in Peru was not enough time to help the people in need so there is a big possibility I might return in the future. If you are looking for a volunteer or internship experience, don't wait and apply now, you will not regret this experience. Until next time Peru, it's been real!

Vive Peru was an outstanding company to volunteer with abroad. As a pre-med student in college, I searched high and low for months for a program that I felt was fairly priced and offered me the most opportunities. I finally found my answer when I came across Vive Peru. This company is a registered non-profit which immediately showed me they were here solely to improve the lives of people in Peru and to give students amazing experiences they wouldn't have access to in the United States. Their purpose was NOT to make money. Which makes complete for a program that is supposed to be about volunteering, right? Unfortunately not many other programs think so and charge very high rates for a minimal amount of time. I felt this program was very fairly priced for all programs. I chose the 5 week clinical medicine program in Trujillo, Peru. I then extended my trip 3 days for the optional Cusco and Machu Picchu trip all planned by Vive Peru. Easy peasy for me! From start to finish, Vive staff and the founder herself were there. I absolutely adore my host family and I know all the other volunteers in my session feel the same about theirs. Living in a home truly immerses you in the Peruvian culture. I had delicious and traditional food, loving support from a Peruvian family, and felt my environment was very safe and clean! Though the home stay is amazing, the best part is the work we do while we are here. In 5 weeks I completed around 86 hours of volunteer/internship work. This includes direct placement into hospitals serving those less fortunate, preparing for community workshops, and the community workshops themselves where we were able to directly work in the community to teach mothers and children healthy lifestyle practices. In addition, we also had the opportunity to do an incredible medical campaign giving dozens of patients free medical care...and yes, the volunteers get to run the show alongside staff and doctors. The hands on and up close and personal experiences I had here are ones you can't compare! From scrubbing into intricate surgeries to giving a patient an EKG, I will forever carry the skills and information I learned here. Now of course after all this work, we needed some time for play. With the schedule Vive Peru set up, volunteers can freely travel on the weekends to other beautiful parts of Peru. And, the Vive Peru staff are there to help with transportation and hostel accommodations. Overall, this program has it all! I will never forget this volunteer internship abroad. It was truly the trip of a lifetime! If you're looking for a company that gives you the most clinical experience, hands on community impact opportunities, genuinely strives to better the area in which we work, and offers all of this at an unbeatable price, Vive Peru is the program for you!

Never would I have imagined myself being so immersed into the medical field as an undergraduate! Vive Peru has given me the opportunity to learn about medicine whether it was the medical classes, observing surgeries or participating in the community workshops. Being opened to these opportunities has allowed me to help hands on and actually make a difference. I highly recommend this clinical medicine program to anyone who wants to learn more about medicine or wants to continue the practice of it.

Vive Peru was more than I ever could have imagined! The entire staff goes above and beyond to make sure you're happy, get the hands on experience you need, and are comfortable at all times. My time spent with them was filled with trips that gave me insight into various Peruvian cultures, tons of hands on experience, and multiple opportunities to get involved with the community! Being a part of Vive Peru ultimately helped me to solidify my choice in pursuing clinical medicine in the future! I would 10/10 recommend to anyone looking to go abroad!

I volunteered with Vive Peru as a social work and music volunteer during the summer of 2013. This month in Trujillo was a life changing experience for me that has altered my perspective ever since. My Spanish skills improved drastically, as the program is incredibly immersive. My host family was wonderful! They made me feel like family: introducing me to Peruvian culture, helping me work on my Spanish, and making me feel completely at home. My work experience was also incredible. I had the opportunity to work with young women at an orphanage and with a university age symphony group. Each experience was unique, but in both I felt that I grew as an individual while making a beneficial impact on the community. The Vive Peru staff are wonderful, always willing to help you one-on-one and obviously passionate about their work. The organization has a constant presence in the community, whether volunteers are there or not. This sets them apart from many other organizations, and the impact is obvious when you work with the community. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested looking to volunteer in an immersive cultural environment!

Volunteering in Trujillo, Peru was an extremely humbling and meaningful opportunity, where I was given the chance to make an impact on an impoverished community. The trip put into perspective how many people across the world struggle to get by each day, and therefore how every contribution could make a difference. Working directly with doctors and nurses at clinics was a great opprtunity to learn how to interact and treat patients. Furthermore, working with the kids of the community every week was great. They were excited to learn and brought smiles and happiness along with them. Hopefully through the work the volunteers provide, we can make a lasting impact on these communities. I would definitely recommend viveperu to anyone who wishes to travel to this country, while helping underserved communites. Peru is a country that is rich in culture and has beautiful landscape everywhere. VIVEPERU!

Upon arriving to Peru, I knew that this medical internship would be one I would never forget. Not only were the staff welcoming and helpful, but right away we were being emerged into the culture by eating the food and exploring new places. I got to live in a wonderful city, Pacasmayo and I got to say what an enriching city! I also had a wonderful host family. On top of that, my clinic was amazing too! I got to learn a lot from the doctors I shadowed. I would definitely recommend Vive Peru to anyone that would like an internship that is hands on and gives you the opportunity to explore Peru. On the plus side, you get to live in a beautiful place with so much background! I would definitely go again!

My experience as a medical volunteer in Peru was deeply impactful. It enabled me to gain first hand experience in a clinical setting that was unique from experiences available in the U.S., while simultaneously immersing me in the Peruvian life. I left Peru with a better understanding and ability to perform basic clinical skills, as well as a much deeper appreciation for the Peruvian culture.

I had a great experience with Vive Peru. The program did a great job integrating me into a clinic where I was able to observe nurses and doctors and occasionally participate in clinic work. Working with the kids in El Progreso, an impoverished neighborhood within Trujillo, was one of the more influential moments of my college career. Extremely kind and fun children. My host family was extremely welcoming and I still talk to them to this day. As a coordinator, I was able to see the tremendous amount of work the staff puts into ensuring a safe, enjoyable trip for all volunteers. Open for all types of volunteers, no matter the abilities or Spanish speaking skills, something unique I've found in my immersion experience. An admittedly biased review but in my opinion, this is a great trip, especially if you're trying to find an immediate outlet to utilize health/engineering/musical training at a young age in a meaningful, volunteer setting.

VivePeru gave me the chance to teach music to Peruvians as well as perform with their local professional symphony. To have the opportunity to be immersed in a culture and be heavily involved in its classical music scene was a very significant positive experience in my life. I had the freedom to design my schedule around my private lessons and had the support of my fellow volunteers and the staff- they even attended my performances! My experiences in Peru with Vive made me more open-minded and satisfied my desire for adventure, and it also helped me discover that I really want to be a music teacher, which is the degree I am currently working toward!

Vive Peru was one of the best experiences of my life. Trujillo was an amazing city and my host family was incredible. This program helps you improve your Spanish and you get practical experience in the medical field. Everyday I voluntereed I saw and learned something new. I also got to travel to several places within the country where I surfed and hiked. Even though I volunteered with vive Peru over a year ago, I still think about the trip nearly everyday.

I volunteered with VivePeru about 3 years ago and loved my experience in the mountains of Otuzco! I was able to learn about a new culture while also interacting with healthcare professionals and practicing my Spanish. This trip was a key factor in my decision to pursue a career in medicine and provided me with invaluable hands-on experience in clinics and hospitals in Peru. The summer after I volunteered, I returned as an In-Country Coordinator with the program, which provided me with a great opportunity to gain leadership experience while serving as a guide and support to new volunteers. The staff at VivePeru are wonderful to work with and their passion for what they do is contagious. I hope to return to Otuzco with VivePeru in the future and am excited to watch this organization grow!

Although excited, I honestly had no idea what to expect when applying to this program. Nevertheless, the scenarios I played through in my head ultimately paled in comparison to the adventure I experienced in Peru. Never before in my life had I enjoyed being so far out of my comfort zone as I did with viveperu. Everyday was a journey as I did something new in a place that was all but unknown to me. I honestly wouldn’t trade this experience for 10 clinical programs in the USA simply because of the unique strengths it offers. Not only is Peru a stunningly beautiful country, but also a land of stunningly kind and wonderful people. To top it all off, viveperu has one of the greatest and most authentic volunteering staffs I have ever seen, and it attracts some of the most fun and interesting volunteers I have ever met. I now have a great motivation to improve my Spanish so that I can revisit one day.

My experience was one of a kind. There is nothing more exciting and rewarding I have ever done in my entire life. Everyday was an adventure and everyday gave me something new to learn. The doctors there let you see so much which really helped me decide that medicine is the field I want to pursuit. The people in Peru are so inviting and loved helping their American friend learn spanish! I love this program and the staff, at the end of all of it we became family. I'll be back!

Spending a month with this program was one of the best of my life. Very enlightening in terms of both medical knowledge and general philosophy. Program is well run and makes it possible for one to truly experience the beauty of the country in just one months time.

I volunteered as an engineer in the winter 2012-2013 session for Vive Peru. I was a freshman in college and this was my first time traveling outside the country. The engineering project that winter session was building an internet tower for a school on the outskirts of Trujillo. This was a lot of hard work, but in the end was one of the most meaningful experiences I've had. We had successfully installed the tower and had it working by the end of the session, and the kids at the school and the administration really loved it. Outside of the project, I stayed with host parents in Trujillo along with the other engineer in the program and a student in the health program. The host parents were very nice and consistently went out of their way to make sure that we were having a good time and that all of our needs were met. On some of my free days, I helped out the social workers at a boys' home and I also went with one of my roommates to the health clinic he volunteered at. These were both very fulfilling experiences. Overall, the program is very well rounded with amazing staff that makes sure the volunteer work you are doing will impact the community. You are also free to travel to other areas in Peru on the weekend. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to travel abroad and gain experience helping people. The sessions vary in length, so if you are like me and haven't traveled a lot the winter session is great, as it takes place over winter break. I hope you consider volunteering with Vive Peru!

I had an amazing time during my summer abroad in Peru! This program is very hands on and allows for many interactive opportunities that I wouldn't have been able to experience in the US. I had a great time making new friends, hanging out with my host family, and exploring a lot of Peru on the weekends. This was such an incredible experience and I recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure and an interest in the medical field! I hope to go back during my gap year after undergrad!

Living in Pacasmayo for Winter Break was one of the best decisions I ever made. Not only did I have the chance to travel to a new place and completely immerse myself in Peruvian culture but I also got to make a difference in the community. We ran 3 successful Medical Clinics in the short time I was there. My host family and I are still in touch and I have every intention of returning to see the progress this program has made!

During my multiple experiences throughout my college career volunteering or studying abroad, Vive Peru was by far the best. As a teacher, my experience in Peru gave me a sense of flexibility, confidence, and preparedness that could not be taught in my college classes. Coupled with incredible volunteer experiences that could easily be applied to our lives back at home, we were given opportunities to travel that were very well supported by our outstanding staff. The staff not only helped us prepare day in and day out for our volunteer sites but also took time to help us plan our weekend travels so that we could be safe while having an incredible time. Vive Peru gave me a valuable experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else. I not only recommend this volunteer experience highly to any education major, but also to anyone else looking for a volunteer experience in Peru.