Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
17
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family

Pricing

Starting Price
$375 USD
Price Details
The costs include:
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup
- Orientation
- Accommodation
- Meals
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Oct 28, 2019
Jul 30, 2021

About Program

Volunteering Solutions, in association with the local organizations and NGOs, offers some interesting and affordable volunteering projects in the city of Cusco. Despite the popularity of Peru as a tourist destination, much of the population still lives in poverty, especially in rural areas. You can be a volunteer and meaningfully contribute towards the lives of these people. You can choose to volunteer for Teaching Project, Kindergarten Program, Disabled Care Project and others, depending on your areas of interest.

Students who wish to become dentists in future can also choose the Dental Elective Program and gain first-hand work experience by shadowing the professionals. Also, being such a culturally rich country, volunteering in Peru will help you to broaden your horizon and learn more about the country's history, heritage and lifestyle.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Choose from a range of 8 different programs available in Cusco, for a minimum duration of 1 week to a maximum of 24 weeks.
  • Get a chance to do some meaningful work and gain incredible experience.
  • Go and explore the Inca Trails - hike up to Machu Picchu, and walk down the trails of Sacred Valley.
  • Go for the Rainbow Mountains trek and be amazed by nature's beauty.
  • Learn more about Peruvian culture & heritage.

Program Reviews

9.33 Rating
based on 76 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 85.53%
  • 7-8 rating 13.16%
  • 5-6 rating 1.32%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Impact 8.5
  • Support 9.4
  • Fun 9.3
  • Value 8.8
  • Safety 9.3
Showing 1 - 8 of 76 reviews
Default avatar
Aureliane
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Extraordinary experience in Cusco

This is experience was like nothing I have ever done before. The coordinator on site was very helpful and made sure everything ran smoothly. My host family was kind, warm, welcoming and accommodating. The staff at the clinic was also kind, pedagogical, trusting and inquisitive (in the best possible way). I could tell everyone wanted me to have a good experience, not only at the project site but also in Cusco in general. There was more than enough free time to explore the area. Cusco is a beautiful city with a lot of history and has a lot to offer. I also had the opportunity to plan 2 day trips and a 2-day trip, which included a visit to the legendary must-see Machu Picchu! The experience was a great way for me to improve my spanish as I spoke it everyday with almost everyone I encountered.

What would you improve about this program?
I think the organisation at the clinic could be improved. On the first day I sat in a room for 2 hours with nothing to do. I spent a few days shadowing doctors, without evaluating patients by myself, which as a physician isn't very stimulating for me. I eventually asked my coordinator if anything could be done to improve this. I was placed in another area where an office was available for me to evaluate patients by myself. I felt a lot more useful and also felt like I learned more this way. However, the patient load is not that heavy at the clinic and I'm not sure how much having volunteers present actually helps them.
1 person found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hello Aureliane,
We are so glad you had an amazing experience in Peru!! We hope you can join us on another adventure in the near future.

Default avatar
Alex
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Peru Two Week Special

I had a really good time on this trip. Cusco/Machu Picchu is a trip I didn’t think I would ever be able to experience on my own. With the help of this program, everything was nicely laid out for me and made it extremely easy to get out and see the sights that Peru has to offer! The people associated with the program were always available and willing to help if needed. Otherwise, it was great to have free days and explore as I wanted to. I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to come to South America.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was when I was climbing Rainbow Mountain. On the way up, there was an opportunity to take photos with “sexy llamas” who were wearing sunglasses and scarves. It is my favorite picture from the trip and I really enjoyed the rest of the hike.
3 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Thank you so much for this lovely review Alex! See you again soon!!! 😊
Team Volunteering Solutions

Default avatar
Madeline
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Lots of adventures

There was a lot of fun experiences, especially going around to different sites like Humantay Lake. The host family was amazing and all of the food was incredible. Cusco is such a fun city and on this program you have lots of free time to go and explore it whenever you want. I would highly recommend taking a cooking class or trying out local restaurants to experience even more of the local culture. The volunteering experience was also awesome, the kids were super cute and the teachers were super appreciative of everything.

3 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Thank you so much Madeline!!! We hope to see you on another tour in the near future!! 😊 ❤

Default avatar
Julian
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Program : Cusco

This experience allowed me to further advance in achieving my goals in pursuing medicine. I got to interact with patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and understand that individuals coming from different backgrounds need different approaches to their healthcare. All the healthcare workers in the clinic were very generous and made every attempt to help me learn throughout the day. My host family was also very generous and cooked amazing Peruvian dishes and the city of Cusco was so beautiful! I would recommend this program to other Undergraduate students pursuing medicine who have a strong background in speaking Spanish.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
A strong understanding and background of the Spanish language is needed. In addition, being an Undergraduate student studying a STEM major would be recommended.
10 people found this review helpful.
Response from Volunteering Solutions

Hi Joshua,
Thanks for sharing your review for the Peru Medical Program in Cusco. We are happy to know that it was an eye opening and knowledgeable experience for you and you would recommend the program to others as well. We would love to have you back soon in our other programs as well.
Thanks
Team Volunteering Solutions

Default avatar
Abbygale
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Volunteering in Cusco

I loved my volunteering experience in Cusco. I lived with a wonderful family with 2 children. The kids loves me and the whole family helped me improve my Spanish. My program was more than I could have expected. I am currently a pre-medicine student with limited experience, but I really felt like I could help. I also learned a lot. The nurses were all very nice and willing to teach me. I learned how to give vaccines, do finger pricks for hemoglobin levels, and do muestras for the lab. There is a lot of paperwork in the clinics and all medical centers in Peru, making it hard for the centers to see many patients during the day. I did some paperwork, but I always felt helpful too. There are so many places to see in Cusco. There are many ruins close by that you can visit after work and so many options for day trips. I became friends with Brazilians who were also in my program. It was a great program for anyone interested in helping an under-privileged medical center. 10/10 recommend, especially if you know even a little Spanish.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come to Peru with an open mind. The food is going to be different and things are not going to be like your country. You need to try your best and you will gain a lot from this program. If you want to meet people, you will. If you want to learn, they will teach. If you want to improve your Spanish, they will help. And also, ENJOY.
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aline
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

João e Aline em Cusco

Translated by Go Overseas:

We really liked the project, we had the opportunity to follow Clinical Medicine, Obstetrics and Pediatrics for 2 weeks. The health system is a little bureaucratic, but we were still able to participate and learn from the professionals.
We also really liked the place where we stayed. We stayed at Elizabeth's house, who was always very attentive and helpful with us. During the project, on the weekends, we went to Machu Picchu and the Mountain of 7 colors, in addition to having the opportunity to get to know the city of Cusco, which is charming and full of history, very well.

Original Review:
Nós gostamos muito do projeto, tivemos a oportunidade de acompanhar Clínica Médica, Obstetrícia e Pediatria durante 2 semanas. O sistema de saúde é um pouco burocrático, mas mesmo assim pudemos participar e aprender com os profissionais.
Também gostamos muito do local em que ficamos. Ficamos hospedados na casa da Elizabeth, que foi sempre muito atenciosa e prestativa conosco. Durante o projeto, nos finais de semana, fomos a Machu Picchu e a Montanha das 7 cores, além de termos a oportunidade de conhecer muito bem a cidade de Cusco, que é encantadora e cheia de história.

What would you improve about this program?
Translated by Go Overseas:

The project was very good, but the Peruvian health system is a little bureaucratic.

Original:

Foi muito bom o projeto, mas o sistema de saúde peruano é um pouco burocrático.
17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amanda
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Increible!

Translated by Go Overseas:

The days I was in Peru were absolutely wonderful! The city is beautiful and there is much to do and know. For 2 weeks I have made many good trips and met Machu Picchu, something I always dreamed of. The program is special, I learned a lot in the health clinic and met very kind patients and very competent health professionals and patients. I felt safe and welcome in my home and in the city, my host family was absolutely charming and hospitable, I will miss them. I loved my stay and I recommend it to everyone!

Original:

Los días que estuve en Peru fueron absolutamente maravillosos! La cuidad és linda e hay mucho lo que hacer e conocer. Por 2 semanas he hecho muchas buenas viajes y conoci a Machu Picchu, algo que siempre sueñé. El programa es especial, aprendí mucho en la clínica de salud y conoci a pacientes muy amables e profesionales de la salud muy competentes y pacientes. Me sentí segura y bienvenida en mi casa y en la ciudad, mi familia anfitriana era absolutamente encantadora y hospitalaria, los voy a extrañar. Me encantó mi estancia y lo recomiendo a todos!

What was your funniest moment?
Translated by Go Overseas:

Being able to travel to various corners of Peru on the weekends.

Original:

Poder viajar pra vários cantos do Peru nos finais de semanas.
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emma
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience a Buena vista

Translated by Go Overseas:

I was part of the program at the health center of Buena Vista, it was very interesting to see the different ways to approach health in Peru. The people were very nice and I was able to go to all the services of the health center to observe (doctors, obstetricians, psychologist ...). In addition the family I was in was great, lots of good times together and it allows to know the life of people in Peru. I really loved this experience. This also allows to visit the region which is beautiful, with all the archaeological sites. The city is also very beautiful, its center is super nice. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to discover a culture and live with people.

Original Review:

J' ai fait partie du programme au centre de santé de Buena Vista, c'était très intéressant de voir les différentes manières d'approcher la santé au Pérou. Les gens étaient très gentils et j'ai pu aller dans tous les services du centre de santé pour observer ( les médecins, les obstétriciennes, la psychologue...). De plus la famille dans laquelle j'étais était super, plein de bon moments passé ensemble et ça permet de connaître la vie des gens au Pérou. J'ai vraiment adoré cette expérience. Cela permet aussi de visiter la région qui est magnifique, avec tous les sites archéologiques. La ville est aussi très belle, son centre est super chouette. Je conseille fortement cette expérience à toutes les personnes qui ont envie de découvrir une culture et de vivre avec les gens.

What would you improve about this program?
Maybe having some activities with the other volunteers to know each other.
13 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers