Volunteering first of all is a major commitment, and working with the organization was just one of the experiences in my life that helped me remember we are here to help one another and learn from one another. When I volunteered, the major learning experience was developing my speaking skills in Spanish. I had already studied abroad previously, but was sorely disappointed in my speaking skills after my experience. All of the preliminary "interviews" (figuring out where I would be placed) were done in Spanish, which really made me feel that the staff there wanted me to feel like a part of the organization, and a part of the community. They supported me and trusted that I would learn new vocabulary as I go, and really be able to support the work they were doing. This helped me not only to develop a more understandable accent and a wider vocabulary; it also has helped me to feel more confident when interacting with native Spanish speakers. This is incredibly important for my work now, as a Spanish medical interpreter for hospitals and clinics.
Another aspect of working with ELAP that I enjoyed was the ability to personalize my volunteering. When I expressed an interest in working with women and in translation, the two women and the ELAP coordinator, Brenda, listened to me and developed a plan for how I would put my strengths into action. I learned from this experience that I enjoy working with women and that I enjoy teaching, no matter the setting. Although I did have some difficulties with communication and minor details, I came home feeling positively about the experience. The volunteer work I do here in the states is an extension of this, because I get the chance to work as a financial advisor and a language facilitator for Latinos and Latinas in Minneapolis. What I learned about Latino culture and non-profit work in Peru has helped me to be able to adapt to the organization I work with currently, and might have a future with as a staff member.
Anna Toombs - Bethel University
Lima, Peru - Summer ISA + ELAP 2008
On study abroad you can't expect things to turn out exactly as you planned, because you were never expecting an experience this life-changing. The kind, easy-going people, the passionate culture, beautiful excursions, and helpful staff made my experience with ISA in Lima, Peru, unforgettable. As my host-mom, Marilu says, "Nada es imposible en Peru!"
Linsi Phelps - University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Lima, Peru - Fall 1 2009
I enjoyed my time here in Lima; I have learned so much about not only Lima, but about the world, and most of all about myself. This experience has changed my outlook on various topics... I feel like I have changed so much in the last 7 months for the better, and I feel that i am better prepared for the next stage of my life due to what I have learned here.
Rebecca Bigler - Arizona State University, ASU
Lima, Peru - Fall 4 2009, 12 week ELAP
Peru rocks! ISA rocks! The entire time here I could only think about how lucky I was to be experiencing so many wonderful and incredible things that I know I would have never experienced elsewhere. This isn't just a study abroad program this is an experience abroad!
Claudia Severino - New Jersey City University
Lima, Peru - Fall 4 2009 + ELAP
The experience at the organization in Lima has been extremely beneficial for the following reasons:
1) I love working with children and it was an opportunity to help those who are less fortunate than myself. The first day we went to Cerro-Bala and me the children, my heart melted for them. Not because they lived in difficult conditions, but because I have always had a soft-spot for kids.
2) I learned how to create lessons without any textbooks for guidance, which is useful as I am a teacher now in a school with limited funds for new textbooks
3) I also learned how to be cost-effective with my lesson-planning, as we only had so much money for the entire program that we (Mandy and myself) could use. We had to share materials and consult each other before buying anything or making copies. Again, as a teacher at a school where funds for resources are limited, it was an extremely helpful experience. Mandy and I made the most out of what we were given.
4) Because I teach Spanish (and English) at a Catholic School, I am able to explain about my experiences in Lima, Peru (a Spanish-speaking country) to my students. It both helps them understand my experiences with Spanish language and culture better, as well as serves to remind them how fortunate they are to be here in the United States with a great deal of opportunities.
5) All in all, my experience volunteering with the children of Cerro-Bala was a time that will stay with me forever. There were times when it was hard and seemed more difficult than it was worth (paying for rides to and from, lesson-planning, coping with the language barrier, adjusting to the style the students are accustomed to learning, etc), but everyday we showed up at the site, the children would come running to us, excited to learn and when it was time to leave, they gave us hugs and begged for us to come back. It was in those moments that we were strongly reminded why we were there: to give back to those who need it.
Amanda Powers - University of Minnesota, Duluth
Lima, Peru - Summer ISA + ELAP 2007
I volunteered at one of the local colegios in Lima. Well I LOVED my experience as an assistant teacher. I really had an opportunity to practice my Spanish in a different type of learning setting and I learned a lot about the public school culture in Peru. I talk about my experience all of the time because I am currently a middle school Spanish teacher. One of the subjects that I discuss is the schools in Latin American countries. And of course my experience in Peru through ELAP is shared with my students. They really enjoy looking at the pictures and learning about the students. They generally have so many questions. I truly want to thank you guys for the opportunity. I am so grateful that I had a chance to experience it and now I can share my experience with my students. Oh yea and I still keep in touch with some of the students and the teacher that I worked with. Again thank you!!
April Scott - Georgia State University
Lima, Peru - Summer ISA + ELAP 2008
Volunteering with ELAP definitely helped me obtain my job. I currently am working with a government agency which helps the underprivileged, and during my interview one of the main topics was my time in Peru and my experience volunteering. I also just finished my last application for law school, something my time in Peru really spurred on. Before going overseas, I was very interested in the legal field, but still wanted to get a hands on
experience, particularly, internationally. I wasn'tnecessarily able to work directly with the legal team, but I was able to help in various classes (cooking, interviewing, etc) which was really neat because I was able to actually speak with the women and get to know the situations they face. I was also able to see a legal side of the domestic worker issue, mainly due to the ISA staff and my host mother's help. My host mom connected me with her sister who was conducting research on domestic workers, and I eventually teamed up with her. ELAP, and Peru in general, was such a great experience. The people are so kind, my host family far exceeded my expectations, and the countryside is gorgeous! The ISA staff down there is wonderful, very helpful and knowledgeable, and the excursions were always so well planned!
Bernadette Walli - Grand Valley State University
Lima, Peru - 8-week ELAP 2009
It was wonderful for me being in Peru. My homestay was positive in every way. My host mom was an angel and the other American living there and I got along beautifully. We were accepted as family and treated as such. My placement with ELAP was difficult, but very good for me. The place itself is run down, yet the staff and social workers put in so much effort to help the boys. I am thankful that I was able to connect with them on some level through art, and I enjoyed the other people who worked there. I really loved being in Peru, and getting to go to Cuzco and Machu Piccu was phenomenal.
Macon Bunn - UCLA
Lima, Peru - 8-week ELAP 2009
I really enjoyed my ELAP experience; it was amazing to witness much of whatI have learned about in the classroom in real life. Furthermore, it has helped me to further understand a course that I am currently taking at my university as I can draw on personal experience. I have always been involved with volunteer work and will continue to do so. My experience with ELAP has also helped me to find a passion in my future research interests. I am becoming increasingly interested in migration from rural areas and my work in Lima helped me to find that interest.
Patricia Keister - Emmanuel College
Lima, Peru - ISA Spring 3 + ELAP 2010
