Q&A with volunteers part 3

Q&A with Nadine, 22 years old, from The Netherlands
Q&A with Niklas, 23 years old, from Germany

Q&A with Nadine, 22 years old, from The Netherlands

Q

Why did you choose for Peru / Peru Volunteer?

A

After I graduated in October I really wanted to go abroad for a couple of months. I didn’t just want to travel, I also wanted to work or study in the country. I had never been to South America before and Peru always interested me. When I found Peru Volunteer on the internet, that turned out to fit perfectly with my wishes and needs. I am able to learn Spanish and work with animals, which I really like. The website of Peru Volunteer looks professional and Thomas responded very quickly and friendly on my requests.

Q

How long are you staying in Cusco?

A

I am staying seven weeks in total in Cusco.

Q

What is your schedule for Spanish/Volunteering?

A

First, I had two weeks of Spanish lessons. One week of group lessons and one week of private lessons. After that I have four weeks of volunteering. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I have a volleyball project in the afternoons. On Tuesday and Thursday morning I go to a dog shelter outside the city and on Wednesday morning I go to a dog shelter inside the city. Besides that, I have one Spanish lesson a week during my volunteering. I also do the marketing for Peru Volunteer, which I do besides the volunteering in the mornings or afternoons from Monday to Friday. I stay one more week in Cusco specifically to do the marketing.

Q

What is your opinion so far about the Spanish lessons?

A

I really liked the Spanish lessons! The teachers are very good and friendly. The lessons are very interactive, which makes it way more fun. I also really like the small trips that we did during the lessons, for example to the market or the textile museum. In that way I could really practice what I had learn so far in real life.

Q

What is your opinion about volunteering?

A

I really like working at the dog shelters. There are a lot of street dogs in Cusco, so I really like the fact that I can help giving them a better life by working in the dog shelter and taking care of the dogs. I feel like the work I am doing in the dog shelter is really needed and appreciated. The dogs are really sweet and deserve all the love that is given to them at the dog shelters. I also like the volleyball project a lot. I like sports and working with children, so this project fits me perfectly.

Q

What is your opinion about the cultural activities and Cuzco?

A

It is very nice to get to know the Peruvian culture by all the activities the school organizes. It is cool that they organize this for the volunteers besides the lessons. It brings the group together. Besides that is Cusco a really nice city, I absolutely love it! It has a nice history, there are a lot of things to see and do in and around the city. And there are so many nice restaurants and cafés!

Q

Would you recommend people Peru Volunteer? If so, why?

A

I would recommend Peru Volunteer, because it is a nice way to do something good in a country where it is really appreciated. It is a really nice way to get to know the culture and be part of it. I would also recommend Peru Volunteer for the Spanish lessons. Marcelo, the coordinator of Peru Volunteer, is really involved with all of the volunteers and takes good care of us. It is important to be open-minded if you want to go to Peru, because the Peruvian way of life is of course very different, so you have to be open for that.

Q&A with Niklas, 23 years old, from Germany

Q

Why did you choose for Peru / Peru Volunteer?

A

After my bachelor I wanted to combine my travel in South America with a voluntary work so I made some research and found Peru Volunteer. The two main reasons for me were to experience a new culture and to improve my Spanish skills.

Q

How long are you staying in Cusco?

A

Four weeks.

Q

What is your schedule for Spanish and volunteering?

A

I am teaching English every day in the morning. In the afternoon I also have football training three times per week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
I didn’t take any Spanish lessons since I already had Spanish lessons at school for three years.

Q

What is your opinion so far about the volunteering?

A

If you work in a school here you have to be aware that it is not comparable to Germany. Everything is a little bit chaotic and the quality of the teachers, especially in English, is not that high. Because of that it is even more important that volunteers help the teachers and the pupils to improve their English skills – they really appreciate that. Unfortunately, the school is in Poroy, so I have to travel for one hour to reach the school. The football project was different than expected since it takes part in a very small cage and many of the children are not older than six or seven. Nevertheless, everyone’s motivated, especially the coach.

Q

What is your opinion about the cultural activities and Cusco?

A

I think there are lot of cultural activities in Cusco. You can see ruins, museums, mountains or you can even make a trip to the jungle. Fortunately, you live with other volunteers in an apartment, so you can immediately meet new people, spend time with them and do trips together. Next to the cultural activities I especially like the food in Cusco. It is not only very cheap but also very delicious and diversified.

Q

Would you recommend people Peru Volunteer? If so, why?

A

For me it is a very good opportunity to combine your travel with some work and to get to know a new culture. Next to the work there are a lot of things to do so you can also experience the city and have a lot of fun.