Peru Summer Program | Pacific Discovery

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

Kiley: I learned many important things abroad. But something Pacific Discovery was really passionate about that influenced me too was to try to minimize my environmental impact while traveling and in everyday life.

I can honestly say I’ve used less than ten plastic water bottles since my Peru trip a year ago. Our leader taught us to carry around whatever plastic we used until we could find a place that actually looked like they would recycle it.

Most of the time, we’d see people burning their plastic on the side of the road. Which is dangerous for everyone’s health and bad for the environment. Everyone on my trip had water bottles with filters, which can be costly but are so worth it. I distinctly remember filling my water bottle with water from a spigot on the side of a mountain while white water rafting on the Apurimac river in Peru. And I’m still alive, so they definitely work!

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

Kiley: One of my favorite stories to tell from my time abroad was from our hike in the Colca Canyon. Pacific Discovery actually changed this part of the program because it was a tough hike physically and mentally. Four days of dirt paths, mud huts, scarce running water, and hot weather.

I like to tell people about one of the nights, where we stayed in huts made of mud with metal roofs. While we were relaxing after our hiking that day, a goat came into our hut and wouldn’t leave. I have multiple videos of this very friendly goat hanging out with us. We then heard a chorus of noisy goats and found out we shared a wall with a pen of probably twenty goats.

So now whenever the hotel or wherever I have to sleep has less than ideal conditions, I like to remind myself while telling other people, that it could be way worse, you could have to share a mud hut with a goat.

What made this experience unique and special?

Kiley: Peru was a unique and special experience because within one month, I volunteered at an orphanage, went to a Spanish school, experienced my first homestay, went mountain biking, hiked four days to Machu Picchu, went on a white water rafting and camping trip, hiked four days around the Colca Canyon, stayed in a small village at Lake Titicaca, went sand boarding in the sand dunes of Huacachina, saw the Nazca Lines, and explored multiple cities like Cusco, Arequipa, and Lima.

We did what many people do in a full summer, in one month. I remember talking to other travelers with me wondering when we were going to hit a peak in the trip. Like when we would start missing home and be too exhausted to enjoy the trip, but the peak never happened. Maybe it was adrenaline that kept us going, but I think it was probably just the amazingly beautiful and exciting Peru.

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions or future path?

Kiley: My future path was changed completely by my trip to Peru. I went into the trip as a double major in business and Spanish and a desire to explore and left with a whole new mindset. After seeing and experiencing the poverty in Peru, I realized that I wanted to do something about it.

I went back to IU last fall and changed my business major to non-profit management. I also made the decision to start working on my application for the Peace Corps by volunteering more. I’d like to join the Peace Corps right out of college and be placed somewhere in South America. The goal is to gain experience so I can one day run my own non-profit to support impoverished countries in South America.

After my month in Peru, I developed a passion for South America and now all I want to do is see all of it.

What position do you hold at Pacific Discovery? What has been your career path so far?

I am so happy to be working as a Program Leader for Pacific Discovery. The Program Leader position is a perfect fit for me as it combines my professional experience and passion for learning into a dynamic position. In University I studied History, with a concentration in Latin American studies. Since leaving University, I have pursued a career guiding and mentoring youth. I discovered my passion for helping foster personal growth as a Field Instructor at a wilderness therapy program in western North Carolina called SUWS of the Carolinas. At SUWS I helped facilitate personal growth and crisis intervention for teens living with addiction, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities and a variety of mental health issues, while on extended backpacking trips.

After a year and a half I moved into the Medic position, using my training as an EMT and a relationship with local doctors and psychiatrist to provide medical care for our students. After an extended trip in Patagonia, I moved into a managerial role as the Director of Student Life at a boarding school in NC, where I developed the outdoor education program, as well as trained and managed the direct care staff. In 2014, I began leading international trips for several different programs in China, Malaysia, Costa Rica and Panama.

What country have you always wanted to visit?

I have always wanted to explore Kyrgyzstan due to the immensity of the landscape, it's alluring culture and difficult history. As a climber and outdoor enthusiast, Kyrgyzstan seems like a playground. Ninety percent of the country is covered with mountains, with thousands of possibilities for first ascents and back-country climbing objectives. This type of landscape inspires a certain toughness and tenacity. especially when combined with a complex history involving religious extremism to the west, and being sandwiched between two superpowers; China, and Russia. I would love the chance to make connections with Kyrgz, while exploring the back-country (and avoiding landmines).

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

Cultural immersion adds so much depth to a travel experience. The people, animals, plants, cuisine, landscape and language all contribute to the personality and flavor of a place. When travelers are able to step inside a local's world and see, even for moment, the world through a new perspective, then they gain understanding. Understanding allows travelers to feel competent, confident, and connected. It inspires a perspective of unity and likeness. In my opinion, unifying practices are sorely needed in our times. Language can be such a powerful vehicle for connecting with locals, showing respect, and gaining a new perspective. Even learning "hello" and "thank you" can be the difference between spending the evening in a lonely hotel room or being invited into a local's home for a home-cooked meal and good company.

What language have you always wanted to learn and why​?

I would really like to become conversational in Mandarin. I have traveled through Yunan, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces in China, and have really fallen in love with rural China. The people I met were so kind and interested. It was so great to interact with them through the little bit of Mandarin that I know. I find the tones and characters in Mandarin to be especially challenging, which makes for fun problem solving.