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Am I ready?

Duh! But no all seriousness I am becoming more and more excited as the trip approaches.

What have I learned thus far? What really stands out to me?

This might sound cliché, but the culture stands out to me, and I am learning from it. Peru is filled with culture and there are so many things that make a culture what it is, but there is also a lot to learn from as well. I am absorbing as much as I can. The country is truly rich. From their history to biological diversity, to dance, to music, to food, to language, to art, and the list continues on and on. I have learned so much from our pre-departure classes as we discussed many topics around Peru and from researching on my own. I also watch videos and TikTok videos all the time to educate myself.

Favorite pre-departure assignment?

My favorite assignment(s) include our final presentations on Peru and doing the blog posts. I was a little nervous as I was preparing and practicing for the presentation, but I had such a good time researching globalization and how it collaborates with Peru. I enjoyed hearing everyone’s topics as well. I enjoy the blog posts because it has sparked my interest in writing again. I used to write for pleasure all the time. I would journal and write about my day. But I also used to write short stories and I have won a couple awards for my writings. Gradually I kind of lost the motivation to write as I started to become busy with school and work. However, I am glad I beginning to start back writing and I am learning that writing is a skill (and it is definitely a skill I don’t want to lose).

How do I hope this experience will impact me?

I hope this experience will broaden me personally and possibly professionally by allowing me to learn directly from people, places, and communities outside of my everyday environment. I believe traveling offers a unique opportunity to step into unfamiliar settings, exchange ideas across cultures, and better understand the challenges and solutions shaping communities around the world. I believe the experience will help me learn more about myself and others, deepen my appreciation for global cultures, and inspire new ways of thinking about environmental advocacy and leadership.

How do I intend to make the most of my experience?

To make the most of this experience, I intend to fully immerse myself in each opportunity by engaging with local communities, asking thoughtful questions, and remaining open-minded. I want to document what I learn through reflection, conversations, writing, pictures, and storytelling so I can carry those lessons forward and share them with others. Beyond sightseeing, I hope to build meaningful relationships, learn from different cultural approaches to environmental stewardship, and return with a renewed sense inspiration.