UBELONG impacts are infinite!

With out a doubt, my time in Peru with UBELONG was the greatest summer of my life. Here are just a few things I have learned:

About volunteering –
1. It’s a strong drug; you just can’t get enough.
2. The last week comes up quickly and you will never have done it all. That is okay! Just be ready to go back!
3. You are important. You are not a faceless human lump just moving through. The people around you will appreciate the effort you put in, the children will love you for playing Red Rover, your fellow volunteers will appreciate the energy you have and your new friends will appreciate your different outlooks and perspectives.
4. Instead of thinking, “Am I doing it right?” think “Are they getting something from this?” My particular experience involved teaching children and there was nothing more satisfying that seeing the kids write the correct answer on the quiz. Don’t worry, just do.
5. It’s a total blast! Volunteering isn’t work, it’s fun. How often do you get to impact and change lives with a smile on your face the whole time?

About UBELONG-
1. Founders Cedric and Raul are pretty freakin’ cool.
2. Volunteer. Discover. Impact. – truer words were never spoken.
3. There is no better support than the support UBELONG offers. Though you may have only booked one seat on the plane, you are not going alone.
4. UBELONG has placements all over the world and there by opened numerous doors to you. Definitely open a new door as often as possible.
5. While you can’t put a price on the experience, the price of UBELONG is more than reasonable; it is unbelievably affordable and the quality of service belies it’s modest fees.

About myself –
1. I am strong enough to have done international volunteering and so I am strong enough to do anything.
2. Never say no; saying no only limits you. Experience, taste and appreciate everything that is offered to you.
3. Without a doubt, I will be back to Peru. I feel madly in love with the place, the people, the food, the music, even the dust.
4. Some of my very best friends in my life are from Huaycan and they have a perpetually open invitation to my home and I to theirs.
5. I am a Red Rover Champion.

If it hadn't been for my time with UBELONG, I don't know that I would be applying for the Peace Corps today. I owe UBELONG and all the wonderful friends in Lima a huge thank you.