VISIONS: Peru High School Service Program

It's difficult to put into words the remarkable impact the Peru trip has had on my life. I've had the privilege of embarking on several service trips through my high school, and although each have been special, formative experiences, my Visions trip stands out as a truly transformative and life-altering journey. I cannot recommend Visions-Peru highly enough.

The staff, the community immersion, the group I was with... something felt different about this program. I can say with certainty that it changed my life in an amazing way.

Attended VISION’s Dominican Republic trip in the summer of 2021 as a rising junior in high school. Now, three years later, and as a sophomore in college, it is with great certainty that I would not be even close to the person I am today without that trip.

The Dominican Republic was my first time leaving the United States and flying alone! This taught me so much about navigating traveling alone and learning about international travel… Something that I have a great intention of filling my life with to this day.

VISIONS does a wonderful job of keeping kids in the loop while traveling– travel agents keep in direct touch with their participants and family members, and even connect them with other kids who may be on the same flight! This helps ease the nervousness of international travel at a younger age.

One of the most important things that VISIONS offers is a technology-free summer. Your phone is taken away after connecting with the VISIONS employees at the arrival airport, and after a call home assuring everyone made it there safely. The phones are given out at the departing airport at the end of the trip. This completely changes the way I view my well-being and how I gain a sense of place when traveling– being present. Inconsequentially, always being around fellow participants gives a greater sense of community and intentionality. Learning how to live closely with people, make meals, clean, and work together for times closer to a month, brought me an immeasurable amount of joy.

The worksites are a very authentic experience of working without large machinery and get you in touch with your body and what you’re creating. In the DR, it is very hot, humid, and sunny. This is what gives your kids a chance to challenge themselves physically and to learn how to work alongside others. Depending on the duration of the trip (and I always recommend going on the longest trip!) most work days will be Monday-Friday and usually 5 or 6 hours (also depending on allocated volunteer hours).

VISIONS makes sure that every day is jam-packed with work, good food, good sleep, activities, and community-bonding opportunities. In the Dominican Republic, every morning we would eat breakfast together, go to the worksite shortly thereafter, eat lunch at the worksite, and come back to “home base”. From there on, we would have an early afternoon activity that is usually paired with language immersion with the vecinos (neighbors). While dinner was getting ready, we usually had a later afternoon activity that also included community involvement like arts and crafts with the local kids! After dinner, we would have circle, which provided a center for discussion and group growth.

Overall, I couldn’t recommend this experience more!

I could not have asked for a better summer in Peru. The trip was life changing such that it exposed me to meaningful service and introduced me to new ways of life. Visions is a great balance between working, exploring, socializing, and stepping outside of one's comfort zone. I could not have asked for a better experience. I strongly recommend Visions to anyone who loves the outdoors and is looking for a down-to-earth experience. Also... the food in Peru is amazing... but warning: guinea pig may or may not be on the menu! It was so fun getting to try out my Spanish.

I had an incredible time spending 2.5 weeks in Peru with VISIONS. Not only did I get to visit ancient ruins(like Machu Picchu and The Pisac Ruins), but I got to hang out with the locals every day! These people are so kind and generous.it was amazing that I was able to get to know them. I got to contribute to their community by building schools and improving their water ways. Without us coming out to help these communities, they wouldn’t be able to get the materials needed to build. Going to a place where the language is primarily Spanish, I got to practice with the locals. It was fun and challenging, but my Spanish did improve. Long days and freezing showers, it was so worth it. Thank you VISIONS for this amazing experience that I will never forget. I hope to do another VISIONS trip next summer.

Visions was an absolutely amazing experience for me! I met the most wonderful people. The immersion into the Peruvian culture was incredible, my world has been opened in so many ways because of it. I think about my 2 week trip every day. I got to travel to various places in Peru, and also help out the small town of Urubamba. The connections Visions has with the community are so deep. I finally felt like my true authentic self. I got the chance to meet people I never would have otherwise. We became quite close and still keep in touch. I always felt safe and the leaders made a great effort to check in with how everyone was feeling. If you are considering doing a program with Visions I highly recommend. I have memories that will last a lifetime

The leaders were super friendly and helpful, they knew what to do in any situation and it got done. The locals were very kind and very patient. The housing while different from what I was used to was a great experience, every bit of the culture became part of our everyday lives. The other kids in my group were the best part, we went from not knowing eachother to becoming very very close. Living and working and playing together for two weeks made us close friends. The activities were pretty amazing, the ruins we went to were beautiful and Nicco knew everything about them. The small workshops we did were very interesting, I took ring making and carpentry. I learned a lot and even got to make my own ring which I still hold dear to me to this day. The connections I made with people on this trip were ones I will not soon forget, where ever I travel from now on I will always be looking for an excuse to stop by and say hi to one of them

I don't even know where to begin. My time with VISIONS in Peru was absolutely incredible. I met the most amazing people and learned so much. I always thought it was cheesy when people said that one small experience changed their life, but just the 2 weeks I was there gave me a whole new perspective and really opened up my world. My experience was so authentic. The Spanish immersion was totally new for me, but everyone was super friendly and understanding. I got to see so many different places in Peru. Like climbing up to Machu Picchu at 4 am to see the sunrise. But what was more important to me was creating connections with the people there. Nico was our bus driver (and so much more), he is the most kind, funny and wonderful person I have met. He knew so much about the ruins we visited, and the people in the community of Urubamba. I really hope I can go back someday. And I really miss all of the friends I made there.

I went to Peru with VISIONS two summers ago, and Dominican Republic last summer. My Peru trip was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I made so many new friends, saw amazing sights, perfected my Spanish-speaking, and got the chance to immerse in Peruvian culture. The staff on the trip was amazing and our daily activities were very enriching and fun. We worked during the day with local Peruvians, then always had a fun activity in the afternoon. One weekend, we went to Machu Picchu, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wish I could go back and relive this trip....I truly think about it on a regular basis and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to go. I am still in touch with everyone in the group and we all text on a regular basis. A girl I met on the trip became my best friend and we still visit each other pretty regularly, even though we are 600 miles apart. I would highly recommend going to Peru with VISIONS! -Eliza Trainer