Program Reviews

Translation:
I went to Peru for only two weeks, but it was an exceptional experience! The family was very welcoming even though, when I arrived, I did not speak any Spanish. In addition, the food was just sublime! From Monday to Friday, I attended a small nursery school. There, too, I had excellent moments with the children and the teacher Marie who was wonderful and always understanding towards us! On weekends and afternoons, we had free time to discover the beautiful city of Cusco and its surroundings! Even after two short weeks, I saw many aspects of this fantastic country!

Je suis partie au Perou pour deux semaines seulement, mais c'etait une experience exceptionnelle! La famille etait tres accueillante même si, à mon arrivée, je ne parlait aucun mot d'espagnol. En plus, la nourriture était juste sublime! Du lundi au vendredi, j'assistais dans une petite école maternelle. Là-aussi j'ai vécu d'excellents moments avec les enfants et la prof Marie qui était formidable et toujours compréhensive envers nous! Le weekend et les après-midi, on avait du temps libre pour découvrir la magnifique ville de Cusco et son environnement! Même après deux petites semaines, j'ai vu plusieurs aspects de ce pays fantastique!

It was an amazing experience during my medical internship in Thailand. It was really helpful as a medical student. Also it was incredible to learn new culture and be part of an wonderful group of volunteers. During my free time, it was interesting to visited the most iconic parts of Thailand. Nevertheless, we don't have enough time to do it because of the schedule, it was incredible all the places where we went. The stuff were amazing and help us every time we needed.

Our 4 weeks in cusco have been amazing. Our host family Made us feel like home and I really enjoied the program itself, with children, the headmaster of our kindergarden included us in the work and she really was an inspiration.
Our coordinator has been really supportive during all the time.
We have met new friends from the whole world and i feel enriched by this experience.
Basically.. averything was perfect!

Translation:
I loved the family especially Mama Gloria who was like a mother, I felt like at home, also Pope Luis who always helped us find out things. In the house there were two children Laura and Luis who treated me like another sister. The volunteering was incredible and the teacher Julieta taught us many things. I was helping in the classes, dancing with the kids and playing.
The staff always took us into consideration and valued our opinion.

Me encantó la familia sobretodo mamá Gloria que fue como una vera mamá, me sentí como en mi casa, también el papa Luis que siempre nos ayudó a averiguar cosas. En la casa avian tanbien dos niños Laura y Luis que me trataron como un hermana mas. El voluntariado fue increíble y la profe Julieta nos enseñó muchisimas cosas. Estuve ayudando en la clases, bailando con lo chicos y jugando.
Siempre el personal nos tomó en consideración y valoró nuestra opinión.

Had an amazing trip through the medical internship program. It was such a great opportunity to observe the doctors in the hospital and learn more about this field. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the accommodations were great! I felt very safe on this trip and made friends from all over the world. Also had the opportunity to visit other parts of India over the weekends which definitely made my trip even more memorable. Highly recommend this experience!

Me parecio super buena experiencia. La coordinacion y apoyo del staff excelente.
La familia de acogida muy buena. Son preocupados y acogedores. Muy feliz con ellos.
El proyecto como tal se me hizo corto por los 2 feriados y 1 dia menos por reunion de profesores. Falto mas comunicación con la profesora para saber que espera de los voluntarios y contarnos la rutina con los niños.
Pense que iba a tener más comunicacion con otros voluntarios, en eso me senti sola, ya que el dia que llegue hice sola el city tour. Deberian organizar una reunion para presentarnos entre los voluntarios, cuando uno llega. esa es mi unica sugerencia.

It was fun volunteering in the clinic located in Anta. I spent 3 weeks and wish I spent more time. I was placed in the laboratory of the clinic. I was able to learn how to prepare different slides and how to draw blood. I also learned how to test for anemia using different methods and many other things. Spanish was an extremely useful asset in the lab because it allowed for better communication. I was able to learn more because of my Spanish. Definitely bring gloves. I forgot to buy them and thankfully other volunteers that I went to the clinic with gave me some. It is alittle difficult finding the clinic using Google maps, but during the orientation they do show you how to get there. Living with the host family and other volunteers was a great way to experience Cusco. We would go on trips together and bond over meals.

My trip to India was amazing in so many different aspects and is a trip I would recommend to anyone considering going! I found that the work I completed while in India to be beneficial to my career and also beneficial
to my personal growth as an individual. I felt challenged at times and found it difficult to adjust to the differences in culture. However, I was supported through this as best as possible by Bobby and Amit who co-ordinate the programmes in Palampur! They both made any worries that I had a priority of theirs and ensured my trip was as good as it could be. I met people from all over the world and made great friendships. The accommodation met all of my needs and I felt very safe in the volunteering house and in palampur itself! I would recommend this trip again and again to people! Thankyou for the best experience ever.

I stayed in Cusco for a month doing the medical service program. Honestly, I was surprised, but in a good here. When I came here I didn’t know what to expect, but am I glad that I applied. The family home I stayed at was excellent, they were very nice and flexible with the food and capable of accommodating to my needs. The program itself was great, the staff there are super friendly and they will allow you to participate in as many things as you feel comfortable, as well as teach you that which you do not know. I vaccinated, shadowed doctors, did triage, and more. Overall a very positive experience. I personally recommend to find a way to get in touch with as many volunteers as possible, in order to make your afternoons more enjoyable (you must do this yourself, as VolSol introduces you to the volunteers that arrive the same time you do, but not those that arrived earlier or afterwards). I did many tours which I recommend ( Laguna Huamantay, Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu), however I do not recommend traveling with Inca Time, I feel they are overpriced and don’t offer good enough services (or attention) for the amount of money that they ask. Finding another tour agency at the main plaza or the internet is better, and easy enough. Overall my experience was amazing, but remember that the people you meet makes up 50% of your time here.

I have sincerely enjoyed my time in Cusco under the auspices of Volunteering Solutions. Initially hesitant to travel to a new country on my own, I found that I was welcomed warmly within my host family and other volunteers. I enjoyed spending my afternoons and evenings wih my host family eating Peruvian meals and snacks as well as with volunteers going for outings. During the weekends, I explored Cusco and Peru at large. The highlight of my trip being visiting Puno and the Uros Islands as well as the trip to Machu Picchu. At my assignment I was given the opportunity to learn and perform duties that allowed me to gain a greater knowledge of the medical field and the healthcare system within Peru. Vaccinations were the highlight of my medical volunteering where I had an opportunity to explore the neighborhoods and administer vaccines! Overall, I enjoyed my stay and would recommend this program to anyone looking to have a great chance to expand their horizons, improve their Spanish, and learn and explore a lot along the way.