Volunteer Name: Tricia Schmidt
Project Location: Cusco, Peru
Volunteered at: Kindergarten
1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?
Beatriz was great! She was always available whenever I needed help. She organized a weekend trip for me and showed me around the city. Beatriz is so friendly and really cares about the volunteers.
2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced? Name 2
Program: How well I could communicate with the children without knowing Spanish (i.e. through play, laughter, facial expressions, etc.)
Host Family: The big lunches and it was very modern.
Country: The Inca ruins were incredible and the locals eat a type of guinea pig!
3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?
Program: Building rapport with the students and maintaining an organized classroom despite the language barrier.
Host Family: Maintaining communication and always letting them know where I am at.
Country: Finding my way around a new city and seeing sights by myself during the first week.
4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
1. Bring a variety of clothing, because it’s very warm when the sun is out, but cold at night.
2. Bring bug spray to Machu Picchu because there are a lot of mosquitoes.
3. Bring a student ID if you have one because tourist tickets will be cheaper.
4. There is one tourist ticket that covers most of the sights in Cusco.
5.1-Other things volunteers should know before coming here:
(thats not in the orientation guide)
a. Keep your belongings secure when walking in the streets.
6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):
Cusco is a wonderful city with many things to see! I loved working in the kindergarten during the day. The kids were so nice and loving, and the staff always appreciated the help.
7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:
My hosts were so friendly and treated me like family. Three meals were available throughout during the day and food was left for me if I was not home. The house was in a safe neighborhood and just a five minute walk to the volunteer site.
8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
Program: Helping the teacher with a dance for the students and watching them perform it in front of their grandparents.
Host Family: Being able to tell my host about my day every night, and eating lunch together.
Country: Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley.
9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?
Sarah helped me through email and she was always incredibly quick with her responses.
9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?
It worked very well.
9.2- Who did you find Abroaderview website
I searched on line for international volunteer experiences.
10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Yes.
