Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with UBELONG in Peru?
Jessica: Ever since I was a kid, I have longed to travel and see as much of the world as possible. Meeting new people and seeing new places always struck me as one of the best ways to gain new perspective on your own place in the world and the connection between all human beings.
In the Fall of 2012, I was in school and having an unsatisfactory semester. I was unmotivated and uninspired and generally felt like I was burning out. I realized that I could finish school in one semester less than planned and so I decided to take the next semester off and do something completely different for a few months. I've always found volunteering experiences very rewarding and after much research, I came across the UBELONG website. Their programs seemed like perfect fit and had the flexibility to fit the time I had to travel and great mentoring connections.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Jessica: I worked in an after-school center in Cusco, Peru. During my stay, I lived in the Spanish school Amauta with other volunteers and language students. The set up was fantastic because it was so easy to meet other travelers and make fast friends. My project ran from 3-6pm and was close enough to walk to. I spent my time there playing games with the children, teaching them a little English, and generally helping out however I could. In my free time, I explored the city, took trips to other parts of the country, or just relaxed with friends.
Ten years from now, what’s the one thing you think you’ll remember from the trip?
Jessica: The first time I walked into the after-school center, the children all swarmed around me to kiss me on the cheeks and hug me. Many of them were from extremely poor families or had absent parents and they were always just so grateful to have someone come visit them. It was an extremely humbling experience and it made me realize my own good fortune in a way that I will never forget.
What did you wish you knew before going to Peru?
Jessica: I wish I knew how to speak Spanish better! I had a little background in the language and I definitely made an effort to learn as much as possible while I was there, but I definitely could have benefited from knowing it a bit better going into the experience.
How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, etc)
Jessica: My time in Peru gave me a lot more confidence about traveling in general. I realized that no matter where you go, you will meet great people and be able to figure things out. It's easy to get stressed about planning every detail of your trip ahead of time, but it's definitely feasible to sort most things out (accommodations, tickets, etc.) on the ground. I think this will definitely help me in future travels.