Why did you choose this program?
I always wanted to travel to a different country. But I just never found the right program to go with. After hearing great reviews from my college roommate, I decided to pursue IVHQ - Lima Peru Program and send it in an application. Their website and process were organized and easy to navigate. I felt at ease with my program manager Aydan helping me every step of the way. The entire IVHQ team was very knowledgeable and responded to every single email I sent. Even while I was in Peru, they managed to message me making sure everything was going smoothly. Doing a program with IVHQ was the best decision I made.
I chose Lima specifically because not only was my college roommate a house coordinator but she had talked so highly of this program. I honestly wanted to see it for myself and I'm so happy I did. I also wanted a chance to travel to the beautiful country of Perú and practice my Spanish!
While in Peru, the program I chose was Childcare. On my first day, I was greeted by my two teachers and a classroom of 24 four-year-olds! I always had a passion for working with kids and I found the program that was right for me. We helped in daily activities and routines I was almost like a third teacher! I got to help and be inspired by the amazing people of Peru.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
My program coordinator that IVHQ had was very knowledgeable and made all the steps as easy as possible. Nothing confusing whatsoever! and when I did have a question (which I had plenty of) he was always there to help me. I pretty much had to complete the entire checklist of the program. And once a step was completed it got me even more excited!
I applied pretty late to the program and was luckily accepted, but the one thing they didn't help me with was my flight. Usually, they have a service where they help you with getting cheap flights. But because I was late to the game, I wasn't able to use that service.
So other expenses to consider were... I had to pay and organize my own background check (they provide helpful links on where you can go) and I had to pay for the necessary vaccinations. I also had to pay for travel insurance, which is mandatory. Just like I mentioned, they DO provide links to help you with this! But other than those expenses, it was pretty inexpensive for a 2 week trip to Perú!
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
DO IT! It's definitely an experience of a lifetime. I was VERY nervous when finding out I got accepted. It was only my second time out of the United States (the first time I got terrible water poisoning on a vacation to Mexico) SO BOY WAS I NERVOUS. But you have to think about it from a different perspective. When I faced nerves or anxious feelings, I thought to myself "Why? Why am I doing this? What am I looking to gain?". And I'm here to tell you that what you gain from this program is a lot. IVHQ Lima set up the experience with this non-profit so that you feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and fulfilled by the end of it. If you want to experience travel but also want to be fulfilled with a unique new experience, IVHQ Lima is for you.
What I had wished I known ahead of time was maybe a packing list of what to bring. I feel like that would be a helpful resource for those going to a new country especially because different countries have a certain level of Modesty in what they wear
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
So the average day specifically for the childcare program... Attire-wise, every day I volunteered (most volunteers, too, would wear a T-shirt, pants (I lived in my yoga pants but you can wear jeans or really any type of pants! Some construction volunteers wore shorts), Tennis Shoes and a light jacket). I also always had my backpack to carry water, wet wipes and my money for the bus (also earphones, 'cause those bus rides are pretty long!).
We would wake up and breakfast would be ready by 6 a.m. I normally woke up at 6 and headed down for breakfast fully ready by 6:20. But we had to be ready and eat breakfast before we leave, which is promptly at 7 a.m! (All programs usually leave by 7) My group of childcare workers was paired up with the construction group. So the first week it was about 20 of us heading to our volunteer site.
We walked from the volunteer house to the first bus stop, which is about 5-10 min away. Our coordinator was ALWAYS WITH US! I had Emma; she was not only the childcare coordinator but our house coordinator as well. We also had another person come with us that spoke fluent Spanish. No matter the program, there will ALWAYS be a coordinator with you. So we walked to the first bus stop and usually, there was a bus always there. YOU HAVE TO BRING MONEY for transportation! It's 2 soles for the first bus! We took the bus from San Miguel all the way to Ventanilla i believe. There, we got on a little small bus which cost 1.50 soles. From Ventanilla, we went all the way to Pachacutec. The coordinator and helper do their absolute best to make sure everyone is on the bus! (they did head-counts every-time we got on a bus got off etc.) The second bus thing is always faster! Then from where they dropped us off we would walk to our site. Our site was about 5 minutes away walking so not too bad! The total trip we would get there at about 9:20ish give or take.
The city of Pachacutec is very big and it's relatively pretty safe in the hours we are there. From about 9:50 till 12:30, we are at our site and then we leave and get back on the 2 buses! So definitely bring some extra money for transportation 'cause it's about 7 soles round trip.
At the site, the different volunteers go to their respective classrooms. My daily duties consisted of being a third teacher almost. I helped with prep work for the classroom. I also assisted and supervised with lunchtime and during outdoor and indoor play. We prepped project and lesson materials for the lead teacher. None of the teachers spoke English. And if they did, it was very little. So I recommend knowing the basics and even more if possible. The teachers really try and figure out what you are saying but it's also very hard to communicate or ask questions about the kids/lessons, etc., if you don't know Spanish. My saving grace was my knowledge of Spanish, but also Google Translate!!!!! I recommend downloading the app before you are even in the country! You download it then download the Spanish language and you can use it offline! It helped me a bunch when I was stuck and didn't know how to answer or ask a question.
Daily Lessons usually were in this format:
- Morning play time (kids would be doing some type of activity at the tables)
- Activity (sometimes we did worksheets or some type of activity painting)
- Some type of outdoor play on the patio (I would stay inside and help the teacher prep. Some of the other volunteers got to play with the kids)
- Wash hands
- Lunchtime
- Then usually another worksheet or lesson
- Then they would go home at around 12
The days always changed, especially if there was a fiesta (party). During my visit, we had a fiesta! So the days' activities changed. That is just to give you a slight overview of what we did in the day.
At the end of the day, I usually helped them clean up (sweep the floors) and then the volunteers all left, back to the area to catch the small bus to the big bus then the walk back to the volunteer house.
After volunteering, we would usually wash up and eat lunch! Then after we would have free time. From 3 until curfew. We were able to do whatever we wanted we could go to nearby cities (Miraflores, etc.) or just chill and take naps.
That was the schedule from M-F (teaching program is different). Weekends we got off to do whatever we wanted. The first weekend I traveled to Machu Picchu with another volunteer. We had the trip set up by the non-profit directors. It was inexpensive and fun!! Some volunteers decided to go to Machu Picchu or other farther places after their program was over. But you are pretty much free to do whatever you want on the weekend. The week resumed with the same weekly schedule.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
The language! Was, I think, my biggest fear. I'm Mexican American and I am in no way fluent in the language, but I could get by with what I know. I was afraid I would get judged for not knowing how to speak it well. But this time was an opportunity for me to practice!!! Honestly, individuals over there have heard broken Spanish, Spanglish, you name it - they've heard it. And honestly, they are the nicest people and don't judge. For me, they were constantly complimenting me and saying how good it was for me to be practicing.
I got over this fear by just talking to people! In the volunteer house, we all mainly spoke English. But at the site and out on the town I tried my best to practice my Spanish.I definitely appreciated this experience for helping me get back with my roots and practice my Spanish. And now I go into conversations here in the states with a little more confidence when speaking Spanish.
What was your favorite traveling experience?
A favorite story was finding my path in life. I guess you can call it cliché, but prior to this trip, I was struggling really bad trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go in life. I had just graduated from the University of Hawaii and I had a bachelor's degree that I had no idea what I wanted to do with. I was working retail and I was like "Okay, I need to figure out something". So I used some of my savings to go on this trip and it was absolutely the best decision I have ever made.
Here is why... In my classroom, my first day the teacher was introducing me to all the students. She would say their name and they would respond. And then it came to this one child where he just made a sound in response. Then the teacher told me that he was able to hear but he was unable to form any words/sentences. I didn't know if he was on the Autism Spectrum or really anything, and that frustrated me because I wanted to help him. But I didn't know how! I had a bachelor's degree and I still didn't know how to help him and that made me sad. I also didn't know if his family had the resources to help him because Pachacutec is a very poor city. I didn't want to assume so I just did everything I could to help him. Working with him one on one etc. which made me feel a little better.
But ever since I got back he has been on my mind. And the fact I couldn't help him more was on my mind as well. So once I got back to the States I decided to help kids like that in the future.
I am applying to Grad school to get my masters in Speech-Language Pathology and then hopefully getting into the Doctorate program in Audiology after that.
He inspired me to want to go back to school; that way, if I am ever in a position where I see a child struggling I will be able to help them. Instead of having that overwhelming question in my head of what could I have done. And just like that, I am on the path to developing a career in something I am passionate about. And I have Tarpuy Sonqo, IVHQ and my little classroom to thank for that.
