I loved my time in Cusco. The first couple of days were challenging as with all new things, but once I got used to it (and the altitude), the experience and the home stay were incredible. I love how friendly all the people in Cusco are, and the different cultural activities available in my spare time.
1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?
Very good! Beatriz showed me where everything was. She introduced me to the director of the health center, and showed me how to get to the health center, and back home.
2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
- Program: Patients buying their own medications, wound dressings and the different scope of practice here than in Australia. Nurses make stitches but can’t give oxygen.
- Host Family: The huge lunch! That such a big family doesn’t have a car.
- Country: The poverty, the altitude.
3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?
- Program: When a man had a seizure and we couldn’t give him oxygen because there was no doctor.
- Host Family: Talking Spanish all day –everyday- (good, but challenging.)
- Country: The altitude made me sick quite often.
4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
- Brush up on your Spanish.
- Bring clothes for hot and cold weather and rain protective gear.
- Altitude medication.
- Don’t think you can get in there and try to change things. Met a few (white) volunteers in other programs who thought they were coming here to change things,
5- Other things volunteers should know before coming here:
- Need to keep a relaxed attitude.
- Cars won’t stop for you at crossing.
- Peruvians eat a huge lunch at 2-3 pm
- The weather changes very quickly.
6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):
I loved my time in Cusco. The first couple of days were challenging as with all new things, but once I got used to it (and the altitude), the experience and the home stay were incredible. I love how friendly all the people in Cusco are, and the different cultural activities available in my spare time.
7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality, others.
SO GOOD! My host mom was amazing. Super friendly and cooked wonderful food, everyday. The whole family was so accommodating and the space where I lived was so clear and super private.
8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
- Program: Being able to work together with the nurse, the doctor, and the family for a common goal (huge wound dressing on a huge pressure wound.)
- Host Family: Every meal time, and going to one of the little one’s first communion while I was there.
- Country: Climbing the Rainbow Mountain, alpacas!
9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling? (Who helped you, emails, phone calls, chat online, how fast did you got an answer, did you got all your answers)
Very good, communication and responses were fast and effective. Very supportive.
9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?
Very fast. I think? I can’t really remember so it must have been good.
9.2- How did you find the Abroaderview website?
Lots of research on Google.
