Peru Service and Adventure Past Review

By Lisa H (High School) - abroad from 06/29/2014 to 07/19/2014 with

GLA: Global Leadership Adventures: Volunteer Abroad Experience

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a ton about local issues that directly impacted the village we were working with, and it was amazing to know that the service work we were doing would help address these problems. In Cusco, there is a high anemia rate because many people can't afford to buy the expensive vegetables and meat bused in. Our group built a greenhouse that will provide the village with a way to grow this food so that their children will develop healthy bodies and minds. It was a truly rewarding experience.

Review Photos

GLA: Global Leadership Adventures: Volunteer Abroad Experience Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	Food costs and other expenses were covered by the program tuition. We did stop by a grocery store to buy snacks, but they were very cheap.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	About $10 for food and $100 total for tourist gifts.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	You can try to bargain in the markets when buying goods, and if you are able to go to a grocery store, don't buy the imported American snacks. You can get delicious local food that is not only healthier, but also great to try.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Hotel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Learned about Peruvian history and culture by sightseeing and traveling attending cultural activities. Staff was supportive, fun, and motivated to help us succeed. Service project was challenging, but definitely rewarding at the end.
* What could be improved?	I would have liked to spend more time getting to know the members of the village. Hiking trip was a little rushed, but it was still a great trip! I didn't get many opportunities to contact my friends and family and tell them how my trip was going.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew how to pack more effectively. I mostly re-wore clothing that was comfortable and did the best job at keeping me warm. Also, I didn't bring a good backpack, so I had to figure out ways to fit gear/clothes in a small bag, and that was not something I wanted to deal with on my hiking trip.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

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