FOUNDATIONS OF GLOBAL HEALTH

Welcome to Peru! Fly into Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the mystical Andes. GLA staff will be at the airport waiting to greet you and then we will 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 is our first full day in Peru, starting with team-building activities and program orientation. After lunch, enjoy a guided city tour, including the Historical Center and San Pedro Market. In the evening, join a discussion on public health in Peru to prepare for upcoming service and shadowing work.

Today, meet representatives from our partner organization and take a Reality Tour of health and education sites in and around Cuzco to understand urban–rural disparities. Back at Home Base, join a workshop preparing for our first community clinic, including basic Spanish and Quechua phrases. In the afternoon, meet a local healer to learn about Quechua traditions and take part in a ceremony honoring Mother Earth.

For the next two days, shadow doctors providing free medical care in remote Andean communities, rotating through stations like triage, dental, pharmacy, and education. In the afternoons, take part in leadership reflections and hear from a guest speaker on public health in Peru. Evenings include cultural activities, personal reflection, and small-group discussions.

Join a local cooking class to prepare traditional Peruvian dishes with fresh ingredients, then in the evening, experience Andean culture through music and dance.

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!

Over the next two days, shadow and assist doctors at a local clinic, practicing medical Spanish while supporting free health checks and basic exams. Evenings include Peruvian dance, personal reflection, and small-group discussions on your experiences in Peru.

Embark on a two-day adventure toward Machu Picchu, visiting the Maras Salt Mines and a local Andean community to learn about traditional textiles and enjoy lunch. Spend the evening in Ollantaytambo with dinner and a day debrief.

Celebrate your accomplishments with a hike around Ollantaytambo, enjoying terraced hillsides and mountain views in the Sacred Valley. End with a hearty meal and reflection on your experiences and lessons learned.

Today we take an early train to Aguas Calientes, then a bus to explore Machu Picchu with a guide. After lunch and a visit to the local market, enjoy a scenic train ride back to Ollantaytambo, arriving at our Home Base in the evening.

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!

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!