4 Cultural Tips to Prepare Yourself for Volunteering in Peru

Communication between people in general, and maybe especially between people of diverse cultural backgrounds, comprises much more than simply verbal cues.

Hidden cultural differences in attitudes and behavior often cause a great deal of misunderstanding and friction. Understanding and embracing these differences could mean the difference between a wonderful and enlightening trip to Latin America, and a nightmare experience!

While there are many ways in which your culture and that of Peru may be similar, there will be several aspects that differ (and sometimes drastically!). As an expat and former volunteer in Peru, I have had to overcome these growing pains myself. Two years ago I came to this beautiful country to Volunteer in Peru and I experienced a culture far different from my own, yet in a way that was exciting, refreshing and maddening all at the same time.

Prepare for Volunteer Work in Latin America

In order to help you to prepare for your Volunteer Work in Latin America, I will talk about four ways that the Latin American culture (or, more specifically, the Peruvian culture ) differs from people from Europe and the United States. Prepare yourself for a great experience and check out our tips to best embrace the rich Latin American culture, especially here in the Land of the Incas!

1. Latin Americans Tend to Be More Welcoming

As a general rule for Latin America, the people here tend to be a bit more “acogedora”, or welcoming, to people that they just meet. During my first day in Lima, I was picked up from the airport, given a tour of the city and then taken to a great restaurant by my Airbnb host! While many people are oftentimes welcoming in my country, it is not often that someone will greet you with a kiss and then take you around town without knowing you. In fact, some of my close family still wouldn´t do this!

If you are just arriving as a volunteer, it can be somewhat uncomfortable if you are not used to this type of treatment from strangers. But it is nonetheless something that you will grow used to quickly and you will eventually appreciate.

2. Peru has a more collectivistic culture

Peruvians tend to live with, and embrace, more of their extended family, including grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles. During my first trip to Cusco, I lived with a host family that had about twelve people living under one roof! I would wake up and eat breakfast with my host grandparents and then play with my host nieces and nephews after dinner. I found the home of my host family to be more vibrant and fun even though I had very little time to myself while at home after volunteering!

The extended family phenomenon could be due to the previous example of Peruvians being more welcoming (in this case to their own family!). But most likely this is more a circumstance of limited resources and gives the family the opportunity to save money and energy. Historically, it was also a way for the family to experience a greater sense of security and to better perpetuate positive values and desired behaviors. When I told my Peruvian friend that one of my grandparents used to live in a retirement home, her reaction was “how cruel!”

3. Peru embraces a more “polychronic” view of time

Easily one of the most difficult cultural obstacles to overcome for many foreigners, is the difference in the perspective of time here in Latin America. Many European cultures as well as those of the United States and Canada adhere to what is described as “monochronic” behavior where tasks are performed one at a time and in a relatively strict order.

On the other hand, “polychronic” cultures, like many found in Latin America including Peru, have a more flexible view of time and are more inclined to, and most likely are more adept at, multitasking as well as managing frequent interruptions with ease. Workplaces in Peru often focus a bit more on developing stronger personal bonds amongst employees. You might also notice this at your volunteer project in Peru.

One phrase routinely talked about in Peru amongst foreigner volunteers is what´s known as the “Peruvian hour”: la hora peruana. This somewhat uncomplimentary phrase means that if your friend tells you to come over to her place at 7 at night, that instead you should arrive half an hour later at 7:30.

Conversely, Peruvians have an idea of many foreigners as being “gente acartonada” which roughly translates to “stiff people”. While both sides seem to have their negative phrases about the other, it is important to keep in mind that there are two sides to every coin and that members of each culture can grow to love something about the other.

4. Peruvians will come across as more polite, and less direct!

While it may be easy to generalize many people from Latin America, there are certainly differences between the different regions and cultures of Latin America. For example, the “Andean highland culture of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador” is certainly different than the more outgoing culture from many Central-American countries.

Notably the Andean region of Peru, for instance, is known to be less direct. Peruvians pride themselves on being polite, and these extreme manners can be exhibited by the people almost to a fault.

As a Peruvian coworker put it: according to her, Peruvians will “rodear”, which means “go around”: they will ask questions or make statements that somehow allude to what they want to say without directly saying it. While this can be frustrating at first, you will eventually learn to infer what Peruvians are saying. And you will probably end up enjoying having to be more skillful in the way you interact with the people at our volunteer project or with your new friends in Peru.

Tips to deal with Culture Shock in Latin America

While it can be beneficial to know something about the Latin American culture before experiencing it (so, before traveling to Peru), “culture shock” is a phenomenon that is nearly impossible to avoid during an extended stay in Peru or any other Latin American country.

If you plan on volunteering in Peru, here are a few ways to cope with any negative feelings that may arise during your volunteering:

1. Understand that you are not the first or only person to experience some form of culture shock while in Peru, or anywhere else for that matter! It is normal to go through an adjustment period so you should take it with ease, and as always…
2. Have a sense of humor about some of the situations you´ll find yourself in! Being able to step back and laugh at your mistakes will make it much easier to cope with any stressful situations!
3. Do not get scared and become a hermit! Being sociable, getting involved and fighting through any difficulties is the best way to eventually learn and to embrace your surroundings.
4. Stay connected with family and friends back home! This will help provide you with some support and stability and will also give them an opportunity to appreciate your time abroad!

Happy Volunteering in Latin America!

The post 4 Cultural Tips to Prepare Yourself for Volunteering in Peru appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Many people underestimate the value of volunteering, but the reality is that there are numerous reasons why volunteering is a worthwhile and rewarding experience. And if you do your volunteer work in Latin America or in any other country of culture different than yours, this adds even more value to your experience! As Maria, one of our volunteers in Peru said: Be a Volunteer in Peru is the best thing that has ever happened to me! Here are her six reasons.

Valuable Experience for your Resume

Volunteering is the perfect way to get some valuable experience on your resume. Potential employers almost always prefer to hire someone who has previous experience, and volunteering is a great way to expand your skillset. In fact, many volunteers are able to work in settings that push them beyond their current qualifications, providing them with the unique opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and experience.

Practice your language skills

Volunteering in Latin America provides a real life environment where you can practice your Spanish language skills. Learning in the classroom is important, but interacting with native speakers in real life situations in any country of Latin America, will skyrocket your speaking ability. The classroom is a controlled setting, whereas talking with local people keeps you on your toes and will thus improve your conversation skills. Furthermore, hanging out with native speakers will give you the chance to learn colloquialisms and sayings that might not come up in a controlled environment. In addition, volunteering with children specifically is the perfect situation to practice conversation because they aren´t judgmental and are happy to chat the day away with a foreigner! There are also great opportunities to combine volunteering with Studying Spanish in Latin America.

Hone specific work skills

Volunteering in South America creates the opportunity to hone specific skills that you might not have the chance to develop in your home country. For example, many volunteers are needed in hospital-like settings and in classrooms in different countries of Latin America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica). No matter their experience level, volunteers are expected to help out in whatever way possible, whether that´s examining a patient or teaching an English class. These hands on opportunities are most likely not as common in your home country, so volunteering is a great way to experience these work situations and develop your skills.

Intrinsic Motivation

Although the above reasons to volunteer are valid and important for personal development, the most obvious reason to volunteer should be because you are self-motivated. In most western countries, the materials, education, health care, and general opportunities are light years ahead of developing countries. Therefore, volunteers have the chance to make a big impact on the children and adults that they interact with while volunteering. All personal goals aside, the opportunity to help people in need is a sufficient reason to participate in a volunteer program. Not only will you be helping people in need, but you will be able to develop personal relationships with these people and truly get to know those who you are serving.

Cultural exchange

Volunteering in Latin America brings the unique opportunity to exchange culture and experience the amazing Latin American culture in either Central or South America. Not only will you learn from the people you choose to serve, but they will also learn from you. This exchange of knowledge, ideas, and traditions provides a unique and unforgettable experience that will broaden your horizons. It will cause you to ask questions that you might not have asked before, and it will put you in situations that will remind you of the importance of being thankful for what you have. Especially for people who have grown up in developed countries, volunteering in a severely different environment is a priceless experience.

The post Why volunteering is the Best Thing that Happened to Me appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

Buenos días mamita! Cómo estás señorita linda?
That´s what I hear every morning when I enter the ‘comedor’ at the home for elderly people in Cusco, Peru, where I’m doing volunteer work.
The ‘ancianos’ are just finishing up their breakfast as I start my volunteer job, so the first thing I do every day is cleaning the tables and sweeping the floor. After this, I join the señora who is in charge of the women´s department, for various chores. For example one day we supplied footbaths for the ladies that were interested. So I distribute hot water bowls, help taking off their socks and shoes and put them on again. Another day we mop the floors inside or outside, or we shower some of them. I help to hand the towels and to help some of the ladies to get dressed. At the end of the morning it is already time for lunch; we serve the lunch and clean up afterwards.

All the people here – I mean the staff and all the people – , are incredibly nice, although I can´t understand everything they say to me because of my intermediate level of Spanish. On top of that, some of the people speak Quechua to me instead of Spanish, and the ones without teeth are very hard to understand. But they smile every time they see me and thank me every time I clear their plates

This volunteering job in Cusco involves a lot of cleaning, so be prepared to get some work done. But I’m enjoying it so much! And don’t forget it’s still at a home for elderly people, so the place is pretty tranquilo.
I´ve been taken in by the staff extremely friendly from day one and I never had a dull moment, I never wondered “what to do now”. Although some of the work might not seem very efficient for us, western people….everything I helped out with seemed useful to them and that´s what you should do it for!
If you think about traveling to Latin America or to Peru to do volunteer work, I truly recommend it.

Read more about different volunteer projects in Peru or contact us.

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Due to the many tourists arriving every year in Cusco, the infrastructure in the city has changed over the years. Especially around Plaza de Armas and the surrounding streets, you can see a lot of modernization and services for travelers. There are many nice restaurants, bars and other public facilities that have a modern touch and remind you of the Western world. Therefore, some travelers might forget about the fact that more than half of the population in Cusco and its surroundings live in poverty. It is shocking to see it with your own eyes and to realize, that there are huge differences between lifestyles in this Andean city.

Many people in and around Cusco live in poor circumstances. Many children grow up in poverty and especially the children in the more in rural areas, have often experienced (domestic) violence and/or work on the street. They do not get a proper education, so important to improve the quality of life. Fortunately there is a good amount of NGO’s and volunteer projects, that on education and health wanting to offer a brighter future, not only for children, but also for adults.

That’s why volunteers in Cusco are always welcome. Depending on your personal interests, experiences, profession and personality, we can always offer you different options. Our our own volunteer coordinator, located in Cusco, will find a project that matches your personality and personal goals.

You get the chance to teach children English, help them with their homework, to organize activities such as sports, arts, music or other educational programs when for example volunteering at After School Programs, Schools or Kindergartens. On the other hand, you can educate and spend time with children who have been through a difficult childhood, who have lived in poverty or experienced violence. We work on building self-confidence and self-esteem. Clinics and rehabilitation centers provide practical work for you to gain more experiences, while sport programs, museums and cultural centers give you the opportunity to exchange knowledge, gain more practice and become more confident in a certain field.

Volunteers are always needed and help is always appreciated. Especially because Cusco – one of the main traveler hubs of South America – offers a unique experience to so many travelers , we should not forget about the fact that many people live in poverty. If you can combine your travelers in Peru with the challenge of doing volunteer work in Cusco, contact us now.

The post Reasons for Volunteering in Cusco, Peru appeared first on Blog - Volunteer Work Latinamerica.

En mi primera semana tuve que acostumbrarme a un montón de cosas relacionadas a mi nuevo trabajo: por ejemplo a las forma en la que la gente vive (un forma más básica de la que estoy acostumbrada en Holanda), al hablar español 24 / 7 (y, por eso, no podía expresar todo lo que quería decir) y al comportamiento ‘”anormal” de los pacientes. Pero me acostumbré a todo esto muy rápidamente, sobre todo porque los propios pacientes estaban muy contentos y agradecidos de tener la oportunidad de ser tratados allí. También mi capacidad de comunicarme en español mejoró rápidamente, porque hablaba mucho con los pacientes y empleados.

A veces era muy molesto darme cuenta de que la velocidad del trabajo y la eficiencia en el trabajo era notablemente menor en comparación con lo que yo estoy acostumbrada. Además, muy a menudo, tenía que esperar a que llegara el psicólogo porque el personal estaba preparando actividades o trabajan en las historias clínicas de los pacientes, en los que no podía participar la mayor parte del tiempo. Así que pasé mucho tiempo en espera.

Después de unos días en los que me la pasé en espera por mucho tiempo, empecé a pensar en actividades que podría hacer con los pacientes yo misma. Empecé a dar clases de inglés a un paciente que siempre quiso aprender Inglés. Pocos días después, organicé un torneo con partidos y creé un grupo dinámico de sesiones. El psicólogo no me dio las tareas, pero, sin duda daba la bienvenida a todos las ideas! Creo que ellos no quieren dar a los voluntarios una gran cantidad de órdenes, porque piensan que ya es suficiente con que estén trabajando allí voluntariamente. Así que para obtener el máximo provecho de esta experiencia de voluntariado en Perú, es muy importante y se los recomiendo, hacer un plan con tus propias ideas y demostrar a los otros trabajadores que deseas participar de manera muy activa. A causa de mi actitud pro-activa, incluso tuve la oportunidad de participar en la prueba-diagnóstico y entrevistas individuales con los pacientes. La organización de algunas actividades por mi cuenta me hizo sentirme útil e hizo que mi tiempo en la clínica en Cusco fuese muy desafiante.

Fue muy interesante trabajar con pacientes psiquiátricos y hablar con ellos acerca de sus vidas. Todos los pacientes fueron muy amables conmigo y el hecho de que mi español no era perfecto no parecía molestarles en absoluto, me sentí aceptada. He aprendido mucho acerca de los diferentes trastornos psiquiátricos y cómo afectan la vida de los pacientes. Además, he aprendido mucho acerca de la organización de la atención de salud en el Perú y ahora me siento muy feliz de que en mi país y otros países desarrollados tengamos tan buenas instalaciones Me gustó mucho que los psicólogos me dieran la confianza para organizar actividades por mí misma.

Aunque este trabajo voluntario en Cusco, a veces me hizo sentir un poco insegura, fue una experiencia muy valiosa, interesante, divertida, positiva y difícil de olvidar. Estoy muy contenta de haber tenido la oportunidad de hacer esto. Gracias Voluntarios de América Latina!

Natasha Mathias, 23

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In my first week I really had to get used to a lot of things that came together with my work: to the circumstances where the people live in (way more basic than what I’m used to in the Netherlands), to speaking Spanish 24/7 (and to, because of that, not being able to express everything I want to say) and to the ‘abnormal’ behavior’ of the patients. But I got used to all of this so quickly, especially because the patients themselves are very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to be treated there. Also my ability to communicate in Spanish improved quickly, because I talked a lot to the patients and the employees.

Sometimes it was really annoying to notice that the work speed and work efficiency was remarkably lower compared to what I’m used to. Also, I had to wait for the psychologist very often, because the staff was preparing activities or working on the medical histories of the patients, in which I couldn’t participate most of the time. So I actually spent a lot of time waiting. After a few days with a lot of waiting, I started to think of activities I could do with the patients myself. I started to give English lessons to a patient that always wanted to learn English.

A few days later, I organized a tournament with games and I created a group dynamic-session. The psychologist didn’t give me assignments, but, he certainly welcomed all ideas! I think they don’t want to give the volunteers a lot of orders, because they think it’s very special that you are working there voluntarily. So to get the most out of this volunteer experience in Peru, it’s very important and I recommend you come up with your own ideas and let the employees know that you do want to participate in a very active way. Because of my pro-active attitude, I even had the opportunity to participate in test-diagnostics and individual interviews with the patients. For me, organizing some activities on my own prevented me for feeling dispensable and made my time at the clinic in Cusco very challenging.

It was very interesting to work with psychiatric patients and to talk with them about their lives. All the patients were very nice to me and accepted me and the fact that my Spanish wasn’t perfect did not seem to bother them at all. I learned so much about different psychiatric disorders and how those affect the life of the patient. Furthermore, I learned a lot about the organization of health care in Peru and how happy we have to be with our facilities in more ‘developed’ countries. I really liked that the psychologists gave me the trust to organize activities on my own.

Although this volunteer work Cusco sometimes made me feel a little insecure, it was a very valuable, interesting, fun , positive, and challenging life experience. I’m very glad I had the opportunity to do this. Thanks Volunteer Latin America!

Natasha Mathias, 23

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