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.

I had the best time staying in Cuzco, Peru. I chose VolSol because the program had a lot to offer and the price was super reasonable. When I arrived I felt incredibly welcomed by my coordinator Kely, and then again when I arrived at my host family’s. I really felt like one big family here with all the love from other volunteers and my host mother. My project was working with pre-school aged kids from 3-4 and I absolutely adored them. We had so much fun daily with learning, playing, and doing arts and crafts together. This trip changed my perspective the most on how to be more mindful, and grateful. People take a lot of things for granted and the most important thing I am taking away from this is to just be in the moment, soak in your surroundings as best as you can, and just be one with the environment that you chose to be in!

Translated Review: "My volunteer program for 3 weeks was wonderful. I Supported a kindergarten teacher who had 35 children of different ages. My help was valued.
My host family was attentive and friendly. My roommate was a volunteer from Australia. She and I had a great time, in the afternoons we went for a walk and explore Cusco.
The VolSol staff is friendly, welcoming and welcoming to my stay.
My trip to the Sacred Valley and Machupichu was unforgettable.
I recommend this program to all those people who wish to visit Peru."

Original Review: "Mi programa de voluntariado durante mis 3 semanas fue maravillosa. Apoye en un kinder a una maestra q tenía 35 niños de diferentes edades. Mi ayuda fue valorada.
Mi familia anfitriona fue atenta y amable. Mi compañera de habitación fue una voluntaria de Australia. Ella y yo la pasamos muy bien, por las tardes salíamos a pasear y explorar Cusco.
El staff de VolSol es amigable, acogedor y estuvieron al pendiente de mi estancía.
Mi viaje al Valle sagrado y Machupichu fue inolvidable."
Yo recomiendo este programa a todas aquellas personas que desean visitar Peru.

Translated: "In the first place, the Anta health center, in my opinion, is too far away and we depend on too many means of transport, it is quite risky given the driving of the people here.

Secondly, in my impression, I have not helped what I would like. I have not participated as much in the activities of the center as I would have liked. There is not so much work for so many volunteers. I have not felt one more within the professionals. I have not learned what I would like or achieved initially set goals such as healing wounds, putting vaccines ...

Good thing, we have seen two births! And I have learned to take manual blood pressure."

Original: En primer lugar, el centro de Salud de Anta, en mi opinión, está demasiado lejos y dependemos de demasiados medios de transporte, es bastabte arriesgado dado la conducción de la gente de aquí.

En segundo lugar, en mi impresión, no he ayudado lo que me gustaría. No he participado tanto en las actividades del centro como me hubiese gustado. No hay tanta faena para tantos voluntarios. No me he sentido una más dentro de los profesionales. No he aprendido lo que me gustaría ni conseguido objetivos planteados inicialmente como curar heridas, poner vacunas...

Lo bueno, hemos podido ver dos partos! Y he aprendido a tomar la tensión arterial manual.

I would definitely recommend this trip for anyone interested in working with children in the future as volunteering to help in a Peruvian classroom with around 25 children will quickly prepare you for all kinds of jobs in childcare. One thing that stands out about this trip is that all of the volunteers across the different programs offered in Cusco by volunteering solutions often join together to see the different parts of Cusco as a group. This trip can easily be undertaken alone as it is easy to make friends and travel companions once you reach Cusco.

Coming to south American for 2 weeks without family was a challenge for me at first, but the welcoming staff members/host family helped a lot. I also made loads of friends from all around the world. I worked at a nursery for children ages 3-5, and really enjoyed it. I couldn't speak any Spanish when I came, but i ended up learning some from the children. I got to see how the community in Cusco lived and saw how different it was to home life. I got to see parades (even walk in one with the children), celebrate in festivities and do lots of sightseeing in my free time. I felt very safe here and enjoyed the social life in the plaza. I would highly recommend this programme, but would suggest relatively strong spanish speaking levels.

Me parece que en mi caso, mi programa ubicado en Anta estaba demaseado lejos para ir y volver cada día... Además, costó un poco que los profesionales del hospital nos adaptaran a la rutina, por no decir que no nos dejaron participar las enfermeras en cosas tan simples cómo limpiar heridas, cosa que una estudiante de 4o esta capacitado! Por otra parte, muchas enfermeras y doctores fueron muy amables y nos dejaban hacer cosas!