Volunteer or Intern Abroad - Peru

  Peru

• Lima: 
Lima
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Ayacucho

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Beginning at various dates year-round

Description: Volunteering abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime, and our flexible short-term programs let you design your ideal experience in Peru. Volunteer from 1 week to 3 months in meaningful projects that will let you work side-by-side with local people, and experience Peruvian culture like never before.

As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a positive contribution, by sharing in the goals of a local community that warmly welcomes you. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. It's an exciting and personally inspiring experience, and you'll develop memories that will stay with you forever.

Peru is a country of amazing physical beauty, home to nearly a tenth of the world's rainforests, a long coastline along the South Pacific Ocean, and the Andes Mountains. For years Peru has been known to international travelers as home to some of the world's greatest ancient wonders, including the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines.

Volunteers in Lima are involved with caring for infants and children, teaching children, teaching English, assisting teachers, sharing their professional skills/experience, caring for the elderly, caring for people with disabilities, and assisting teachers of special education. Volunteers and interns in Ayacucho are involved with caring for infants and children, teaching children, teaching English, assisting teachers, working towards women's empowerment, caring for the elderly, observing and assisting local health professionals, and assisting teachers of special education.

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a recognized leader in the field of international volunteering, with more than 4,000 volunteers each year. Founded in 1995, we are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations. CCS has a worldwide staff of more than 300 people, and operates in 12 countries, with administrative offices also located in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. We are in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, and have been profiled in more than 500 news outlets.
Special one-week programs are offered with start dates during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break.

Highlights: Remotely located high in the Andes Mountains, Ayacucho has experienced little change over the past 100 years. In Ayacucho, Spanish and Quechua culture live side-by-side. The unique Quechua culture originated in central Peru more than 1500 years ago, and was later adopted by the Inca. However, most Quechua identify with their Inca heritage, and refer to themselves as Runa, or the people. Along with its own unique language, Quechua culture has distinct religious practices and social system. Quechua society places great emphasis on mutual help (ayni), based on reciprocity: help your neighbors, and they will help you in return.

Although unknown and untouched by most travelers, Ayacucho has been an important part of Peru's history since prehistoric times. The first signs of life are dated from 20,000 years ago, and were found in caves in Ayacucho. The town has been home to the Wari and Inca Empires and was established as a Spanish city in 1539. Later, it was the site of the Battle of Ayacucho, which played a pivotal role in the fight for Peru's independence. Today, the area is celebrated for its scenic beauty and mountain air.

Lima is the epitome of urban, filled with the symbols of commercialization, with fast food chains and popular magazines sold on every corner of the city. Lima is home to more than eight million people; its neighborhoods are sharply segregated by household incomes. Most of our volunteer work occurs in Villa El Salvador, a shantytown born out of necessity during the era of that stands as a model for community development. a remarkable place started on barren sand dunes to the south of Lima by the city's poor in need of a better place to live. Completely community based, Villa El Salvador is a great example of the determination of Peru's people.

Cross-Cultural Solutions offers a wide variety of programs and experiences, but all of our volunteers come away with the same benefits:

- Personal Growth
- Having a Purpose
- Gaining Independence and Confidence
- Connecting with Others
- Seeing a Country from the Inside-Out

* The CCS Home-Base

CCS offers volunteers unprecedented support, and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety. Each of our programs is located close to a CCS Home-Base, your "home away from home" while volunteering abroad. Each Home-Base is exclusively for CCS volunteers, and designed for your safety and comfort. Here, you can connect with other volunteers and CCS staff, reflect on your experiences, enjoy meals together, read, and relax.

The CCS experience also includes cultural and learning activities so that you can learn about the local culture. These include an in-depth orientation, language training, guest speakers and more. Volunteers also have plenty of free time to relax, reflect, or explore the community and country.

Qualifications: No special skills or experience required.

Cost in US$: Visit our website for program fees.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: While other volunteer programs may require certain skills or degrees, Cross-Cultural Solutions' programs are open to everyone. No matter what you believe your skill level to be, you have something meaningful and helpful to offer. We are dedicated to providing a meaningful placement for anyone willing to volunteer, and believe that the only skills required for international volunteering are a willingness to learn and an open mind.

Age Range: 16 and older

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Cross-Cultural Solutions's Mission Statement: Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. We are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations.

Year Founded: 1995