FOUNDATIONS OF GLOBAL HEALTH

Fly into Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the mystical Andes. GLA staff will be at the airport waiting to greet work drive to Home Base, where we’ll meet more staff and fellow GLA students and settle into our new home. Take a small walking tour through the surrounding historic neighborhood before your first Peruvian dinner!

Today marks our first full day together in Peru! We’ll kick off with a program orientation to cover GLA and our hosts’ expectations of us. In the afternoon, we’ll receive a guided tour of the Historical Center near our Home Base.

In the evening, we’ll meet a local healer who will share some ancestral traditions of the indigenous Quechua people and lead us through a ceremony to honor Mother Earth. Use this opportunity to create intentions for your time here in Peru!

Today, we’ll meet representatives from the organization we’ll work with over the next few weeks! Together, we’ll depart on a Reality Tour, visiting several health and education sites across rural and urban areas of Cuzco. This tour will help us understand the disparities in access to health services between urban and rural communities. Once back at the Home Base, we’ll launch into a preparatory workshop in anticipation of our first community clinic the following day. Learn some basic phrases in Spanish and the indigenous Quechua language. Take notes, as you’ll soon be putting these concepts into practice!

For the next two days, you’ll shadow doctors as they offer pro-bono medical services to remote Andean communities with limited access to quality medical care. You’ll rotate through various stations such as general medicine, triage, dental, pharmacy, education, and hygiene under the supervision of medical professionals.

In the evenings, you will engage in cultural activities such as Peruvian dance. You will also have time for deeper personal reflection. Break out into smaller groups to discuss what you have learned from your time in Peru thus far.

After two long days of service work, It’s time for some adventure! Whitewater raft through a stunning river valley as you navigate Class II and III rapids. The glacial water will be chilly, but a warm sauna and homecooked meal will await you back at the river lodge. In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to zipline across Sacred Valley’s Vilcanota River!

Today, you’ll assist doctors at a local clinic, gaining hands-on experience with health checks and medical Spanish. In the evening, immerse in Andean culture through music, a cooking class on traditional Peruvian dishes, and a leadership reflection on your journey.

We’ll have a slow start this morning. Get some extra shut-eye before a late breakfast. In the afternoon, we’ll meet with several individuals whose lives have been greatly impacted by the work of our partner organization.

Hear their stories and understand the importance of non-governmental initiatives in providing medical access to rural communities. After, we’ll engage in a debate about topics related to public health.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Andean villages and archaeological sites en route to Machu Picchu. Visit the Maras Salt Mines, explore a local Andean community, and support artisans through handmade textiles. After dinner in Ollantaytambo, take a scenic train to Aguas Calientes for an early rest. The next day, discover the wonders of Machu Picchu with a guided tour before enjoying lunch, a local market visit, and a picturesque train ride back to Home Base.

After two days of adventure in the Sacred Valley, today we will explore more of the cobblestone streets and bustling markets of Cuzco. We will visit Qoricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire!

As our program comes to an end, we’ll engage in some final leadership activities to reflect on our experience in Peru. Pack your bags before a final farewell celebration hosted by our Home Base family!

For our 14-Day Students: Our Peruvian adventure must come to an end! Head to the airport with memories that will last a lifetime and a broader understanding of global health. Staff will assist with checking in and accompany students until they have safely departed for their gates. ¡Buen viaje!

For our 21-Day Students: Today, we’ll travel to a new Andean community where you’ll accompany medical professionals through various stations. Learn how crucial community engagement is to breaking the cycle of poverty and poor health for good and ensure that the clinic runs smoothly.

For the next few days, we’ll work directly in community homes, where our projects may include building greenhouses and making basic home improvements. Support the local communities in growing more nutritional crops than the climate ordinarily allows!

These are our final days of service work, so put in the extra effort to impact rural families’ quality of life. In the evenings, we’ll engage in leadership and cultural activities involving the local community and leaders when possible.

Let’s celebrate our accomplishments with a thrilling adventure! Walk past the impressive Chinchero ruins and the pristine Poc Poc waterfall as you gently descend into the Sacred Valley.

Thank the surrounding mountain spirits or Apus for clear skies and great company on your trek! Eat a hearty meal and take a moment to reflect on all you’ve learned over the past three weeks and the lessons you will take home.

As our program comes to a close, we’ll visit a highland village where you’ll try your hand at molding clay ceramics and explore pre-Hispanic instruments, immersing yourself in the local culture one last time. Afterward, we’ll engage in final leadership activities to reflect on our journey through Peru. Pack your bags before a festive farewell dinner to celebrate the friendships and memories you’ve made here!

Before we know it, our Peruvian adventure has come to an end! Head to the airport today with memories that will last a lifetime. Staff will assist students with checking in and accompany the group until they have safely departed for their gate. ¡Buen Viaje!