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Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27
Hola Familias,
My name is Andrea Gallegos, and I’m the International Director for the Peru Internship -career exploration program in medicine and health.
I’m thrilled to share that all of our students have safely arrived at Home Base here in beautiful Pisac, Peru — coming together from many different places to begin what I know will be an unforgettable 21-day adventure.
Today was all about first steps: exchanging currency to soles, wandering through the vibrant main plaza of Pisac, sharing our first delicious Peruvian meals, and beginning the process of getting to know one another.
It’s always so beautiful to watch a group of strangers slowly become a community, and that process is already well underway.
Looking ahead, I couldn’t be more excited for everything that awaits: clinic days serving communities in the Sacred Valley, many adventures, and countless moments of growth, laughter, and connection.
As you might imagine, today’s students are carrying a beautiful mix of jet-lagged exhaustion and wide-eyed excitement, and I think the photos attached capture that.
We will continue to share this journey with you, one update at a time.
Warmly,
Andrea Gallegos
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
Hola Familias,
Andrea here again! This will be the last blog post I will be writing. Starting tomorrow, our Leader of the Day take over, and your students will be the ones bringing you into our world here in Perú.
That being said, let me tell you about today.
We kicked things off with a guest speaker, a local doctor who shared information with us about how the medical system works here in Perú, and we had a very interesting conversation about the public and private sectors, accessibility, and resources. From there, we headed to the community clinic for a full tour. Students asked thoughtful, probing questions and engaged deeply with the very real challenges that small, rural communities face when it comes to accessing healthcare. I was proud to watch them.
Back at home base, we continued with orientation. While learning about the code of conduct, expectations, and the internship program, we also played games, laughed a lot, and got to know each other a little better. After that, we had our first internship session. I’ll be honest: the level of focus, motivation, and critical thinking in that room genuinely impressed me. These students are here to learn and share their knowledge, and it shows.
In the evening, we strolled to the plaza and wandered through the local markets. Souvenirs were found, gifts were chosen, and, my personal favorite detail, a surprising number of students are now the proud owners of matching alpaca sweaters.
They also picked up fruits they had never tried before and brought them back to home base for a spontaneous tasting session. Reactions were… mixed. In the best way.
As I write this, home base feels truly alive. I can hear students talking, laughing, playing chess, and doing what I love to see most, genuinely connecting.
Friendships are already forming, and we’re only on Day 2.
I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
Ok, I’m leaving now. We are diving into a game of charades!
Warmly,
Andrea Gallegos
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
Hola familias,
This is Claire and Kodie and we are students in the Peru Internship Career Exploration program.
First aid and CPR:
Today the group started out learning with CPR and First Aid training with local doctor. This session lasted from 9:00am-12:30pm. The group learned critical first aid skills and how to properly respond in emergency situations.
Break times:
During the breaks after sessions, students enjoyed activities such as World Cup football games and card games.
Pago a la Tierra:
After lunch, the group went to go to Pago a la Tierra which is a Peruvian native tradition that consists of an offering to the mountains for a good harvest and prosperity in life. During the ceremony the Shaman gave the group Coca leaves to impend wishes in. Afterwards, one by one, the leader took and blessed our wishes, pilled up together, and finally burned as an offering to the mountains that surround Peru.
Chow Circle:
At dinner, we led the “Chow Circle” where student take turn complimenting one another on kind actions through the day.
We are exited for the endless adventures that will come our way.
By: Claire and Kodie
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
Hola familias,
Breakfast was at 7:00 this morning and not everyone was excited. At 8:00 we took a two hour bus ride to go kayaking, on the way there you could see lots of dogs, cattle, sheep, and pigs. When we got to the lake everyone got either a paddleboard, kayak or canoe. Then we were out on the lake for two hours, after that, we had a delicious lunch consisting of: well-seasoned chicken, veggies and potatoes accompanied by tea. Additionally, there were alpacas by the lake. Immediately after, there was a forty-minute bus ride to a salt mine that had existed for 4000 years long before the Inca. After seeing the pools, people went and bought salt as well as chocolate made with the salt. Finally, a one and half our ride back to the cafe, where we had chow circle dinner and watched the World Cup and had mentor groups.
Thomas and Anna
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Hola familias,
Today was full of activities! We woke up and had breakfast and then immediately started our third lesson on cultural humility. We specifically learned about how our perspective heavily influences how we interact with others. After the lesson, we played soccer at a local field (Maxine’s team won, but we all had fun)! Once back at home base we had lunch and then heard from the Med Life team about our service at the clinic (our first day is tomorrow)! After that, we had free time and some people went to the market/store or explored. We finished our day with dinner and watching the World Cup! Don’t miss us too much 😌
Annika and Maxine
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Hello! This is Maggie and Timothy.
Today marked our group’s very first clinic day, and it was an experience we will never forget. For the first time, we had the opportunity to work hands-on alongside the organization MedLife, gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to serve communities through healthcare.
We traveled to a small town called Lamay. We all worked in different stations. Over the next few days, each student will rotate through different roles, including taking vitals, working in pharmaceuticals, assisting with dental care, supporting physical therapy, and more. This gives us the chance to learn from many different parts of the medical field while directly helping others.
Being able to contribute, even in small ways, made today both humbling and meaningful. It reminded us how important access to healthcare is and how much impact a dedicated team can have.
After a full day of setting up, working in the clinic, and packing everything away, we returned to Pisac. The evening gave us time to relax and connect as a group some students explored the town for food and the markets, while others stayed back at home base to rest.
We also celebrated Sabrina’s birthday, and we all enjoyed some delicious cake!
Overall, today was a powerful start to this journey, and we are excited for the days ahead as we continue learning, growing, and serving together.
Looking forward to helping more people and making more memories along the way.
– Maggie and Timothy
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Hello! This is Anelise and Sahana.
Today was another rewarding day at the clinic! After breakfast, we headed to the clinic where we spent the day helping, learning, and building stronger connections with the community and the MedLife team. It has been amazing to see how much joy can come from spending time together and serving the community that we visit.
After returning from the clinic, we had some free time before completing Lessons 4 and 5, where we continued learning about leadership and global health. In the evening, we attended a briefing for tomorrow’s hike, where we learned about the trek and received our packing list to help us prepare.
We ended the day by having dinner, packing our bags, and getting ready for tomorrow’s adventure. We are excited for the experiences ahead and grateful for another day of learning, serving, and making memories together.
Anelise and Sahana
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Hola familias!
This is Neha and Ria! These past 2 days have been filled with adventure. Yesterday, we began our journey on the Lares Trek. Across the trek, we passed beautiful mountains, valleys, and indigenous communities, where campers offered coca leaves, marbles, and other toys as gifts to villagers.
While many found our hike difficult, by the time we reached our campsite, we were all rewarded with an incredible sky full of stars and heaps of animals crackers.The night quickly became very chilly, and campers were happy to relax in their warm tents.
The next morning we returned to our hike, and began trekking uphill to our summit, where we finally reached an incredible view and lengthy break. From there, our hike was all downhill, and campers had an easier and more efficient time!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
These past few days have been very exciting. Yesterday, we got to walk through Machu Picchu, It was especially cool to see the rock in the shape of machu picchu. The views were incredible, and everyone stopped to take pictures because there were so many beautiful spots. It was awesome getting to explore such an important place while also learning about its history from the guide.
The next day, we volunteered for our fourth day with medlife at a local clinic and rotated through these stations: we helped in physical therapy, general doctor, triage, dentist, the pharmacy, education, and the toothbrushing station. It was really fulfilling to help all the patients. We helped over 300 patients.
We also had a guest speaker named Mark, who talked to us about glaciers melting in Peru and how it affects local communities. We did an activity where we came up with our own studies to help solve these issues, and the winners earned some stickers. We learned that as the glaciers disappear, it becomes harder for many people to get enough clean water, especially during dry seasons. His presentation showed how climate change can have real impacts on people’s health.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 9
Hello! This is Benjamin and Sandy.
Today was our second to last day of clinic. We traveled to the town of Coya for another day of working alongside MedLife. It was a little slower than the past few days, but it still gave us a chance to continue learning and gaining experience in our different stations. As we keep rotating through different roles, we are becoming more comfortable with each one and learning more about how each part of the clinic works together to help patients.
After we finished packing everything up, we made the drive back to Pisac. Once we got back, everyone had some free time to rest after another long day. Since we had completed the Lares hike just two days earlier and had a busy clinic day yesterday, many of us were still catching up on sleep. Others took the opportunity to go into town to buy more snacks, shop at the markets for clothes and souvenirs, or grab some food. It was nice to have some time to relax and recharge before everyone came back together.
Later that night, our whole group learned a new game called Mafia. It became very competitive very quickly as everyone tried to figure out who the mafia members were. There were lots of accusations and laughs throughout the game. In the end, the mafia ended up winning.
We also started another game that will continue for the rest of the trip. A bit like Clue, Everyone was assigned a person, a place, and a task. The goal is to get your assigned person to complete that task at that place without them knowing they are your target. If you are successful, they are eliminated and you receive their target. We are all excited to see how the game plays out over the next few days.
Overall, today was another great day. Even though the clinic wasn’t as busy, we still learned a lot and had a chance to spend more time together as a group. We are looking forward to our final clinic day and making the most of the rest of our time here.
Looking forward to one more day of serving the community and making even more memories together.
– Benjamin and Sandy
BLOG POST FOR JULY 10
Today marks our last day of service with MedLife! We woke up for an early breakfast at 7:30 before getting on our daily bus ride at 8 to the south of Cusco. We capitalized on our ride to catch some extra sleep and listen to some music. Upon our arrival we took our designated stations and began our clinical hours. The elementary school was filled with excited children, staff and even the mayor all of whom were appreciative of our efforts helping their community.
In total, we were able to see approximately 200 patients. Our team was surprised to see the tremendous need for dental care and education of basic oral hygiene. Throughout our successful last day, we were greeted by the children with notebooks and pens with the desire to gather a list of signatures from our team. Their smiles reminded us of the impact of our work and its ability to create immense joy. As a way to thank us for our week-long mobile clinic we were given small keychains, each unique and specific to the region.
Later on, we hopped back into the bus to get back to our home base. We were allowed to have an hour of free time — consisting of a shower, a hangout with friends, or a quick nap. Afterwards, we gathered in the dining room for a dance class with local teachers who taught us four types of cultural dances.
Next, we had a dinner which reminded us of home: grilled cheese with tomato soup. We met with our mentor groups to debrief the last week then finished the day with a fun guessing game of baby pictures.
See you on the flip side,
Sohela and Vaughan
BLOG POST FOR JULY 11
Dearest Gentle Readers,
One cannot help but remark upon the delightful events of today’s proceedings.
The morning began with an unexpected luxury: an extra hour of precious beauty sleep. An 8 o’clock breakfast? Such extravagance was welcomed by all. Properly refreshed, we climbed aboard our most elegant horse-drawn carriages (known by the locals as vans) and journeyed once more to the charming community of Ampay.
There, we were graciously welcomed by the remarkable Nelba, Carmen, Mabel, and Celestino for a traditional medicine workshop. Surrounded by an astonishing collection of more than sixty varieties of corn, we learned how the community has long relied upon the healing powers of naturally cultivated plants. After an hour filled with fascinating stories, lively dancing, and much admiration, we were escorted to the family’s treasured corn bank, where countless seeds are lovingly preserved for generations to come.
Our travels then brought us safely back to home base, where dear Andrea orchestrated yet another delightful surprise: complimentary empanadas. One simply cannot overstate the joy such an announcement inspired.
As though that were not enough, we were treated to a splendid luncheon of do-it-yourself tacos—once again, thanks to the ever-generous Andrea, whose kindness continues to know no bounds.
The afternoon, however, carried a bittersweet note. We gathered for our final internship session with Carly, a moment that left many hearts considerably heavier than they had been that morning. Though farewells are seldom easy, we departed with immense gratitude for all we have learned.
The remainder of the day offered a welcome stretch of leisure. Some diligently worked on final projects, while others enthusiastically watched the World Cup. A fortunate few even ventured to our beloved matcha café (courtesy of Andrea… once again!).
As evening descended, we enjoyed a hearty supper of hamburgers before concluding the day with sweet treats and spirited entertainment. Throughout the residence echoed triumphant cheers for the World Cup, occasionally interrupted by equally passionate screams brought on by the ever-chaotic game of Egyptian Rat Slap. One could scarcely imagine a more fitting conclusion to such an eventful day.
Until tomorrow, dear readers, may your evening be filled with as much laughter and good company as ours.
Yours most faithfully,
Your Perfect Angels,
Lauren & Beatrice
BLOG POST FOR JULY 12
Hello everyone!
Angad and Kenji writing from Peru. Today was an eventful day! We started the day off slow, having breakfast at 8:30 am. At 9, we left for our second session of the Traditional Medicine class, where we learned the actual uses of the plants discussed yesterday, and how each medicine can be made. We also played a few games that tested our memory of the Quechua words for each plant. After playing the games, we were able to taste quite a few different varieties of corn, some boiled and some toasted. We then went on a hike to see the best view of the Sacred Valley and the town of Pisac, and finally arrived home at around 2 pm.
After the traditional medicine class we returned to the cafe, where a delicious lunch awaited us stuffed avocado and arepas (fried potatoes stuffed with beef and veggies). Afterwards, we were eager to move around and we went to the local athletics complex and played volleyball and soccer. We had a great time playing very intense soccer games and also had a chill time playing volleyball. Later, we returned to the cafe for a short briefing on our white water rafting that we will be doing in 2 days. We got a sneak peek into what it would look like, how it would be, and what to pack. After the briefing we had chow circle and dinner, and all we had to do after that was pack for our homestay for the next 2 days and work on our final projects.
Goodnight!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 13
Today started with breakfast at 8:30 before we left at 9:00 for a two and a half hour ride to our homestay in Raqchi. Along the way, we made a quick stop for snacks before continuing. We arrived around noon and split into six different groups to stay with local families in traditional homes.
After a delicious lunch, we spent the afternoon exploring the ruins of a temple, visiting the town plaza, and some of us even went on a hike. Later, everyone came back together to paint traditional pottery bulls. It was a lot of fun, and each person’s design was unique.
After dinner, we were surprised with traditional Peruvian outfits to wear for the evening. In our outfits, we gathered around a bonfire to celebrate Sohela’s birthday. We danced, ate cake, made wishes using coca leaves, and roasted s’mores together. We ended the night by looking up at the sky full of stars.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 14
Hola todos! Sara and Sabrina here, sadly your very last student leaders. We are sure you all are excited to welcome back your kids very soon. Just a few days away from the end, our days are filled with bittersweet moments and fun activities.
Today, we woke up to a warm breakfast made by our host families in the Racchi community, followed by farewells. We also received a sweet souvenir from our host mothers to remember our awesome time away from home base.
Next, we endured a long drive to a rewarding activity. As we put on our wetsuits, helmets, and life jackets, we got ready for white water rafting. This almost two hour scenic ride was incredibly enjoyed, even though we all got soaking wet due to the hectic waters and splash wars.
Returning from the river, all of us warmed up with a sauna, hot showers, and a delicious lunch.
To end off our last night at home base in Pisac, we savored our last strolls through the charming streets, along with some last minute shopping and packing.
Finally for dinner we ate pizza, followed by a delectable sweet treat consisting of ice cream and various toppings.
Now, everyone is packing up their rooms and spending their last moments at our dear home base.
Buenos Noches,
you’re Brazilians (Sara and Sabrina)
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
Today we had a 7:30 breakfast before leaving Pisac to spend the last two days in Cusco. When we arrived in Cusco we went to a cooking class where we learned how to make a traditional Peruvian dessert and meal.
We were able to eat the food we made, which was very good! Then we walked to our hotel and took a little break before presenting our final projects. Everyone had to research a problem in Peru and find solutions.
After the presentations, we spilt into groups to go explore the city. Some went to local markets while others went to cafes. To end the night, we enjoyed a fancy dinner at Chicha.
-Morgan and Ellie
BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
Hello families and loved ones!!!
This is Anelise and Maggie, and somehow, unbelievably, we are writing the very last blog of this trip.
Twenty one days ago, we were a group of 32 strangers dragging our suitcases through airports, trying to remember names, wondering what the next three weeks would bring. Now, somehow, we’re sitting here trying to figure out how to say goodbye to people who have become family.
Today felt strange from the moment we woke up. It was one of those mornings where everyone was laughing, but at the same time nobody really wanted to admit that this was the last full day together.
After breakfast, we headed out for a three hour walking tour of Cusco. We wandered through the beautiful streets, stopping every five minutes because someone wanted “just one more photo.”
After lunch, we were given free time and everyone split off. Some groups shopped for souvenirs, some went to cafes and some simply walked around enjoying every remaining second in Peru. It wasn’t anything extraordinary, but somehow those simple moments felt like some of the most important. Just friends being together, knowing the clock was ticking.
As the afternoon went on, there was a lot of “remember when…” conversations. Remember when we got lost? Remember that bus ride? Remember that clinic day? Remember when nobody knew anybody? Somehow, every story felt funnier than it did at the time.
Then came our final group dinner. It is hard to explain how much can happen in only 21 days. Three weeks isn’t supposed to be enough time to build friendships that feel this real. It isn’t supposed to be enough time to find people who make a foreign country feel like home. And yet somehow it was.
We sat together for one last meal, looking around the room and realizing that this group of 32 people had accomplished so much. We worked in clinics, traveled across Peru, challenged ourselves, learned from communities, and grew in ways we probably won’t fully understand until we’re back home.
After dinner, we returned to the hotel for our closing activities and final reflections. There is something incredibly special about sitting in a room full of people who all shared the exact same experience. Every person arrived with different expectations, different fears, different reasons for coming. The night was filled with goodbyes, and many tears.
Somewhere between the early mornings, long bus rides, clinic days, endless card games, inside jokes, and late night conversations, 32 strangers became something much more.
We came here hoping to make an impact. But the truth is Peru changed us far more than we could ever change it.
To all of our families reading these blogs every day thank you. Thank you for supporting us, encouraging us, and allowing us to have an experience we will carry for the rest of our lives.
We also want to give the biggest thank you to our mentors and directors, because none of this would have been possible without them. They were the people cheering us on during the hard days, laughing with us during the best ones, and somehow always knowing exactly what we needed. They worked endlessly behind the scenes to make every moment meaningful, memorable, and impactful.
As sad as we are to see this adventure come to an end, we know this isn’t really goodbye. It’s just the end of one chapter and the beginning of many friendships, memories, and stories that will stay with us forever.
And if we’re being honest, most of us are still in denial that we’re leaving.
With full hearts, tired eyes, and camera rolls that are completely out of storage,
Anelise and Maggie
