Environment Program

The first thing I think about when someone asks me "What would you do differently?" is my suitcase. I packed way too many things, and I ended up not using half of them. Plus it would have been much easier to travel around with a smaller bag. But it was my first time traveling this far and for such a program, so now I know better and can tell others about it!

Volunteers at Otra Cosa are asked to work for around 20 hours a week, but there is no definite schedule as it depends on the projects: sometimes you will have a few workshops planned, other days you have to prepare events, so it's on your own schedule. It really is variable, which means you can also arrange it most of the time if you want to go participate in other projects like I did: teaching English in school or helping with the after school program, for example. You can also fit in surf lessons, or go to the market ... As long as your work is done and you put in the hours, there's quite a lot of freedom!

I was a bit scared because Peru is not famous for being super safe, and my Spanish was far from good when I arrived, but in the end I never once felt threatened and everyone is helpful despite the language issues. So don't be scared (I'm not saying to be foolish either, far from it, but being terrified will make your experience much less enjoyable) and just go for it. You won't regret it! And if you really struggle with the language, then you can always take classes once in the country, and you can easily find another tourist or someone who speaks English to help you.