Before I came here, I did not know what to expect. I was very nervous about everything. But all my worries were gone after the very first day of my volunteering because the children I worked with were just wonderful. They were so happy to see and have us, volunteers, and they made me feel so loved.

I felt like a fish out of water when I first arrived in Peru and started working in Huancayo. Not only was my Spanish vocabulary negligible, but the culture shock was also intimidating at first. However, arriving to Expand Peru was like coming home to a family. Bernabe, Ingrid, Stefanie, and all the other volunteers I have met here make up an amazing support system that I will be forever grateful for.

The students in the rural schools are so eager to learn and treat you with so much love and respect. Every time they run to give you a kiss on the cheek or call you "professor" you know it's worth your time and energy.

Casa Project was such a meaningful experience for me. I now know what real poverty looks like and will keep that image with me for the rest of my life.