Vive Peru opened my eyes to an entirely different culture, which led me to appreciate various perspectives. One of the most important lessons I learned from this experience was the power of giving – I was volunteering my time, but I felt like I received more than I gave. My “Peruvian mom” tried new recipes and took cooking classes for us. The girls in the orphanage gave me more valuable insights and experiences that I can never forget. Plus, I made some good friends on the trip that I still talk to, years after the program.
Jinny Huh, a University of Arizona graduate, participated as a Social Work volunteer with Vive Peru during Winter Session 2014. She currently works as a computer engineer for USAA in San Antonio, Texas.