Location
  • Peru
Length
1 - 4 weeks
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Lodge
Age Min.
14
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
4599
Price Details
14-day program: $4,599
21-day program: $5,999
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Sep 08, 2024
Jan 14, 2025
13 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel to Peru to volunteer your time assisting local doctors in traveling clinics, providing care to remote highland communities in the Cuzco area. Learn from medical professionals about the basics of medicine and public health while gaining first-hand experience in the field. Immerse yourself in Quechua culture, hike the iconic Machu Picchu citadel and stroll through Cuzco's bustling and colorful artisan markets.

Service Hours: 14-day = 35 / 21-day = 60
Program Theme: Medicine & Public Health

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Gain experience in the healthcare field working in underserved communities
  • Explore the colorful, colonial city of Cuzco
  • Hike the picturesque Rainbow Mountain (21-day program only)
  • Visit the Machu Picchu ruins through an informative guided tour
  • Raft the whitewater of one of Peru's main rivers

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 23 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.95
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Housing 4.95
  • Safety 5
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 5
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 5
  • Value 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 23 reviews
Default avatar
Ruby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Foundations of Global Health - Peru

I went to Peru with GLA in June 2024 and quite literally loved every second of it. With 12 other students, I learned about healthcare in rural areas, toured around Cusco, and even learned a bit of Spanish! We did 4 clinic days, where we shadowed medical professionals in pop-up clinics. We got to work with all different ages from young children to grandparents. I think my favourite part of the clinics was getting to spend time with the children and form such a strong connection with them in just one day. While I originally thought that the language barrier could make collaborating and connecting with members of the community difficult, it wasn’t at all. The doctors I was working with were understanding and patient, and helped me when I was confused. One of my favourite memories from my trip is laughing with the children of the village, they are all so funny! I learned how to read, write, and say various phrases in Spanish and even some more complex medicine related ones too. For me, these were my favourite days because this was when I could do my most hands-on work. Seeing the impact we had on the lives of the patients was life-changing, and sparked my desire to work in medicine. If I could change the program, I would want to do more clinic days. They were so special for me, and I wish we could’ve done more so we could’ve had even more of an impact. On top of clinic days, we went to Machu Picchu, went whitewater rafting, saw the Maras Salt Mines and explored Cusco! We also got to explore the town of Ollantaytambo, before boarding a train to Aguas Calientes, the town base of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was amazing! We got there early so we could be ahead of the crowds, and had a guide to tell us about the Incan Empire and Machu Picchu. These fun experiences gave me the chance to bond with others in my group, and in only 2 weeks I made some of my best friends! Most evenings, if we weren’t too tired from the day's activities, we would go on a Cusco outing, wandering around markets, the town square, and seeing all it had to offer. We were frequent visitors of Cusco’s famous market, San Pedro. I bought some souvenirs for my family, and had the best dried mango I’ve ever eaten. It was these fun little experiences that made my trip so special. It gave me the chance to bond with others in my group, and in only 2 weeks I made some of my best friends!

4 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Miles
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Peru: Foundations of Global Health

In the summer of 2023, I went on a two-week trip to Peru with 9 other students: all 15-17 year olds. And while it may sound cliché, this trip was life-changing. We spent time in pop-up clinics around Cusco, where residents would come to get medicine and treatment from the doctors there. We spent five days at these clinics, and I wish we had done more over those 14 days! It was such an eye-opening experience that has completely changed my career path to be medical. We also visited Machu Picchu (literally the coolest thing I have ever seen), Rainbow Mountain (an hour-long hike to 17,000 ft above sea level), and whitewater rafting. On top of that, I met some of my favorite people ever; we all became great friends instantly. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking at a medical career, wanting to make a difference in another community, or just wanting to see another country with friends!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Cuy, known in English as Guinea pig! We ate it in the back of a farmer’s house, where we also learned about the textiles his family made. While a little scary, the guinea pig wasn’t bad - tasted somewhat like chicken!
Pros
  • Made a real difference
  • Amazing food, with both traditional Peruvian options and more familiar options
  • Great friends
Cons
  • I wish we had done more volunteer work
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sonya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Foundations of Public Health - Peru

My daughter’s experience with GLA was amazing from start to finish. Pre departure, staff was easy to reach and happily answered all of our questions. I felt the trip was extremely well organized and my daughter had an absolutely transformative experience. The leaders and mentors were excellent and the program provided the perfect balance of service, sight seeing and cultural activities. She returned home energized, full of insights and confidence, and excited to pursue a career in health care. The communication through the daily blogs during the trip offered a wonderful window into what she was experiencing and I felt confident that she was in good hands. I highly recommend GLA!

81 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Peru Foundations of Global Health

My 16ye old daughter had a very positive experience with GLA in Peru. From a parent perspective, we appreciated the balance between community immersion, health &safety measures, group explorations, outdoors activities, and the global health focused community service and community engagement.
Highlights for our daughter were global health program clinic experiences, explore local foods and markets, community service, Machu Picchu, and hiking/ camping under the stars experience. Great supervision and program leadership.

Pros
  • GLA Communication is excellent
  • Student service & development focused program with many options
  • Community, language and cultural immersion
Cons
  • None, but students should be willing to explore new foods and routines
85 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Peyton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST TRIP EVER

Wow! GLA Peru was the best experience of my life. It was filled with growth, learning, service, friends, and fun. Every day of the program was well thought out and planned. I would definitely recommend! It was an amazing experience that allowed me to meet other students who love to travel and help other people! I would a 100% recommend GLA Peru! It was such a life changing experience. We did so many fun activity’s from hiking the Andes to zip lining! This trip was filled with so much servic too! We would do service in the morning and then have an adventure in the afternoon! For example if we did service in the morning somethimes in the afternoon we would go out in the town or have a music lesson! The lodging is very nice, it is a hostel that is just for GLA use! The owners are so nice and the hostel is gorgeous!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The scariest moment of the whole trip woudl have to be getting on a plane by myself, that was very frightening! But I got through it and had no problem! I wasn’t even nervous flying home!
104 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lumay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GLA peru

I recently went on the 14 day Service in the Sacred Valley trip with Global Leadership Adventures. From the minute I arrived at the airport, I was welcomed by the GLA staff. Over the next two weeks, I grew as a person, had life-changing experiences, and met a great group of people.

This program is excellent for anyone that wants to challenge themselves and learn about a different culture. In the 14 days, I was in Peru; I challenged myself both physically and mentally. It was a very intense program as the work was hard and the altitude did not help. Our determination to serve was so overwhelming that we did our best to help out as much as we could. At the end of our hard work, we were able to see the finished product: a cuy (guinea pig) farm that would help the family financially and would be a source of food. The family was so overwhelmed with gratitude that they even go us a thank you gift. One of the best moments of my trip, better than Machu Picchu or getting spit on by llamas, was helping out that one family and hearing them thank us, even if it was in a different language.

Overall the trip is fantastic! You bond with the people around you, both peers and mentors, and you get to do incredible things while exploring a different country. If anyone is considering the program, I genuinely recommend GLA.

What would you improve about this program?
If you are ready to explore the world I would truly recommend doing the 21 day program because the people you meet become your family and once day 14 rolls around you do not want to leave! Also to take advantage of the full GLA experience, make sure to be open minded and embrace every opportunity to grow and serve.
109 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Chrsitiane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Daughter loved GLA!

My daughter went with GLA to both Ghana and Peru and loved both of them. She has traveled before on her own, so we weren't that worried about her, but also always knew she was in good hands! GLA made the application process really simple, and we loved all the communication we got! They set up a blog that would be updated pretty frequently! GLA is awesome! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

104 people found this review helpful.
Ethan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of a kind experience!

I went to the Amazon with Global Leadership Adventures this past summer. It was a truly increíble two weeks, filled with great adventure and rewarding service. The people of Peru are super friendly and the GLA mentors were very well versed with the community. I cherished every moment I spent there and would go back instantly. Anyone that wishes to do service abroad, especially in a place as magical as the Amazon, GLA has amazing programs that travel across the globe.

110 people found this review helpful.
Response from Global Leadership Adventures (GLA)

Thank you for sharing your takeaways from your volunteering experience with GLA in Peru. We're so glad you had a wonderful time and made lifetime memories during your time abroad.

Questions & Answers

No previous experience is necessary! On my trip there were kids who never spoke or taken Spanish before, along with kids who were already fluent. GLA has several Spanish teachers to quickly figure out what level Spanish class each person should be placed in, and everybody finds their fit. On my trip in particular, we all worked together when practicing talking in Spanish. In groups we always...