I loved my time in Cusco. This is such a beautiful city and country with such caring residents. Being able to experience physical therapy here was very challenging yet rewarding. The differences in standards of care and lack of direction took some time to get used to, but I learned to enjoy the autonomy and tried to provide the best care to the patients as possible. Also the immersion was extremely beneficial. Unless you are fluent or proficient in Spanish I highly recommend it. I learned so much in just 3 weeks at the language immersion lessons and the teachers were all incredible. Overall I really enjoyed my experience and would love to come back and visit in the future!
1- How was the local ABV Coordinator/staff and the support provided in-country?
The support was good. I did not often have questions but anytime I did Maria Elena answered it.
2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
Program: Physical Therapy in Peru is somewhat similar to in the USA, however there are many differences. It really took some adjusting since I´m so used to doing things differently.
Host Family: There was not much that was surprising to me about living with a host family. I have done so before in other countries and pretty much knew what to expect and not expect.
Country: At first it was annoying that the taxis constantly honk at you to see if you need a ride. After a week or so though I became used to all the noise.
3- What was the most challenging thing you experienced?
Program: As I said above, just getting used to the differences in standards of care. PT in the US is much more evidence-based and advanced and in Peru it is much more based on previous knowledge and tradition. A lot of the time I felt more like a massage therapist than PT.
Host Family: Nothing comes to mind. As I said above I have traveled to several countries and stayed with families before so I know to go in with an open mind.
Country: The language barrier could at times be difficult, however the better my Spanish became, the easier this got.
4- Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations)
1. Don´t forget sunscreen, bug spray, and a rain jacket.
2. The taxis, sellers in the Mercado, and most people will try to charge you more because you are a tourist. Learn how to bargain and what the appropriate price to pay is.
3. Never enter a taxi without first discussing the fare.
4. If coming here for medical or dental volunteering, do not expect the same standard of care as in your home country. It will likely be very different and you will not be able to change the way things are done here. Just go with the flow and learn as much as possible.
5.1-Other things volunteers should know before coming here:
a. Make sure to get altitude sickness medication before coming (generic name is acetazolamide). It is very inexpensive with insurance.
b. Cusco is very safe, especially where we lived and in the city center. I never felt unsafe walking alone during the day or in a group at night.
c. Wear sunscreen EVERYDAY, even if it does not look sunny. At this altitude it takes no time to get sunburnt, especially on your face and hair part.
d. Pack mostly for cold weather and layering. I made the mistake of being a couple warm weathers things that I never had the chance to wear in 4 weeks of being in Cusco.
6- Personal Paragraph about the experience (ABV Program Testimonial):
I loved my time in Cusco. This is such a beautiful city and country with such caring residents. Being able to experience physical therapy here was very challenging yet rewarding. The differences in standards of care and lack of direction took some time to get used to, but I learned to enjoy the autonomy and tried to provide the best care to the patients as possible. Also the immersion was extremely beneficial. Unless you are fluent or proficient in Spanish I highly recommend it. I learned so much in just 3 weeks at the language immersion lessons and the teachers were all incredible. Overall I really enjoyed my experience and would love to come back and visit in the future!
7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security, friendliness, quality others:
My accommodation was good; I shared a room with 2 other female volunteers that were awesome and we became really good friends. The people in Cusco are generally very friendly and I never once felt threatened or unsafe while here. The meals in our homestay were very good.
8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?:
Program: I loved my patients at the gerontology center. Even though there was a language barrier (many of them only spoke Quechua) I was able to bond with many of them.
Host Family: I became very close with my 2 roommates in the house. We all became very good friends and I will cherish the memories we made together for a lifetime.
Country: This is such a beautiful city and country. There is so much to do here, especially if you enjoy the outdoors and being active. I wish I had more time to see everything this amazing country has to offer.
9- How was the ABV USA support prior traveling?
The support was good. Any questions I had were usually answered in 1 to 2 days. I was also able to change from my original plans of going to a different country when I had safety concerns so I really appreciated the accommodation.
9.1- What do you think about the reservation system online?
The online portal was very straight forward and easy to use.
9.2- Who did you find Abroaderview website
I found the website through a website that reviews volunteer organizations.
10 – Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Yes absolutely.
