Education Volunteering in Lima, Peru

The moment I stepped into the airport, I felt welcomed and it was easy to figure out where to go to the accommodation. As for my stay, I found that the scheduled routine makes it easier to know what to expect in terms of house rules and what volunteers should be doing.

Definitely the Mobile Clinics have been a very nice experience, extremely rewarding. We have learned a lot together with other doctors in all stations. This has been a truly rewarding and beautiful experience. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Uptc5tlaD/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=91c71cdd-e0bb-4f79-b3fc-32e9af8f7de3

Here we’ve learned a lot about different medical systems in Peru and how patients have different needs than the ones we were used to. I think gaining some more cultural competency is huge for our future career in medicine. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzwyWehhFa8/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=497e53fe-6189-46ca-a590-bfc1996988b6

The way of life of individuals is different in every country, so I already had some background knowledge of what an SLT is like, but every SLT is unique and special in its own way, offering new experiences and learning opportunities each time. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5RCpMvMN2V/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0095e7cf-600a-46b5-9ecf-222ce6488c26

Going on a MEDLIFE SLT is more than just like a talking point in an interview. I think it’s something that shows your true passion because you’ll find that here you’ll learn more than just how to do medical work and dental work, you’re also going to learn about the problems in a community and what true mission work is. https://youtu.be/3RMNIGO30so?si=W54Fy-ErQmjnJ5Kl

If you’re thinking that you want to go just do it! It’s easy to get caught in book work, textbooks and you’ll not get the same experience as you will just reading about the things that you can do than actually going out and doing them. Go out! Get those referrals, fundraise and then come and do the work. It’s an amazing experience. https://youtu.be/BHHzVKCcTC0?si=8hB7q1ZwPNMztlaT

I found it really incredible attending this Service Learning Trip. I really recommend it because it is a very eye opening experience. If you’re thinking of joining MEDLIFE and you’re afraid of coming here alone don’t worry, I made new friends and I’m sure we’ll stay great friends after the program. https://youtu.be/_CQsNngRmQc?si=hbsDOwuKOTCnEAuu

I think that being involved with MEDLIFE has given me so many amazing opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had as a pre-health student. It has definitely confirmed my passion for medicine and strengthened my commitment to pursue a career in healthcare. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy6WCteLZXH/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=630afaa2-8769-4715-b8b5-e46ad23b6264

I will be heading off to Med School in a couple years so not only will this provide job shadowing and volunteer hours but also better me as a person and prepare me for what’s ahead in my medical career to be the best person I can be for my patients and the people around me. https://youtu.be/ySXhbM48-TE?si=Fwe9w6Hjpd0wwPsO

I’m aspiring to be a PA and being on an SLT has allowed me to gain a lot of experience. The MEDLIFE movement aligns with a lot of my goals in healthcare caring for people especially in low-income communities and I think that just being a part of MEDLIFE really helps you to aspire to achieve all those goals and help people in an impactful and achievable way. https://youtu.be/4tU_H4nUrRI?si=E6AUJrST-KLfsFCF

Besides the really neat aspect of touching people’s lives and helping others, coming to an SLT is also really good for a president like myself in a leadership role. Med Schools love seeing that leadership or even just being a part of MEDLIFE shows leadership. It shows initiative and Med Schools really like that. https://youtu.be/h15_J-pGU00?si=RJt-QmwEuOiSnWgN

I felt so welcome there, the whole team in Lima were amazing! The actual volunteering was great and seems to have a real impact on those we were helping. The program was a lot of fun and I had a great time with all the people I met there. Lots of people came and went when I was there so I met loads of new people! I was able to do a wide variety of volunteering including a soup kitchen, painting and sanding a fence and house, childcare and helping in a carehome. We also had a lot of free time where we were able to spend exploring the local area which was incredibly cool and interesting!

The preparation checklist was an excellent resource. The local coordinators were absolutely excellent I cannot sing their praise loudly enough. They consistently looked out for us, helped us in any way they possibly could, and were always kind and approachable. The dog shelter is amazing and the people there are passionate and dedicated. I really looked forward to going to my volunteer placement every day and felt that I really built relationships with the shelter dogs. I loved spending time with them, and looking after them, and I think that the local staff do an amazing job with managing the volunteers.

I had such an amazing time and am so so grateful I got to be a part of it. My favourite moment was the first day there. The kids, not knowing who I was, ran up to us and were so excited to see us. They hugged us and made us feel so welcomed. Seeing the school and comparing it to my elementary school had the biggest impact on me. It is hard to see how different it is but it is so amazing to see how happy the students were. It was the best month of my life. I loved being at my placement and I loved how I got to experience a different culture completely. Try it out and I promise you will love your whole experience. Go in with an open mind and it will be blown.

Every time I arrived at the volunteer site, the kids would run to me and hug me. I learned how kids could be so mature and responsible at a young age. The kids from the refuge center really taught me a lot by just seeing what their life is like. You will gain a lot more than what you pay for. And you won't know what the world on the other side is like until you are there yourself. Traveling with a purpose and volunteering while exploring a new country is the way to do it. You will also meet the most incredible people there- other volunteers, local teams, and local people.

As a first time volunteer and also my first time visiting South America, I was definitely nervous going in but also excited. It turned out to be such a great and rewarding experience. I would highly recommend this program to any first time volunteers/solo travellers - you'll feel right at home very quickly! I'm looking forward to volunteering again with IVHQ very soon!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewMay 13, 2019

Thanks loads Stacey for taking the time to provide this awesome review about the time you had with us on the IVHQ Peru - Lima Program. It's awesome to hear you were able to meet like minded people from all over the world, and that you felt like challenging yourself with the Teaching English project was very rewarding. We can't wait for you to volunteer with IVHQ again some time. Aydan - IVHQ Program Manager.

I grew a lot on this trip. I not only learned about the real world but I learned a lot about myself. I found a new passion for helping others that I did not know I had. Additionally, I made a lot of friends and stepped outside of my comfort zone. I enjoyed the structure and the energy of the trip. I enjoyed how everything was taken care of, and all we had to do was show up. My time in Peru was stress free and very meaningful.

I had a good experience and it was exactly what the program promised - really solid experience. No bumps in the road where the staff didn't know what they were doing. Great variety of students. Parents were happy.

The service projects were fun and meaningful and took me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to be a better person. GoBeyond pushes you to be a better human and pushes you out of your comfort zone which is amazing.

It was my first volunteering experience abroad and I was so excited about the trip. I was really happy with IVHQ support services. They handle everything perfectly; from the moment I arrive to the host country to the moment I leave. The host program picked me up at the airport and from then, they provide continuous support. I did the construction project, which was awesome and lot of fun. The materials for the work were provided and the coordinator of the project is skillful and kind. During the weekends, I had the opportunity to travel around the country and explore the area. I had the opportunity to travel to Cusco and to climb the Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain. The accommodation and the food provided by the host program were really good. For me, the best part of the experience is meeting other volunteers from all around the world and sharing good memories. I would definitely come back anytime soon and I highly recommend to have your lifetime volunteering experience with IVHQ!

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] responded to this reviewNovember 15, 2018

Hi Vincent, thank you for taking the time to share such a wonderful review about your time in Cusco! It's awesome to hear that your first time volunteering was so memorable and that you were able to enjoy a mixture of volunteering and sightseeing. We would love to have you join us again soon! Courteney - IVHQ Program Manager.