Campion College student Colleen Strauch spent last summer teaching in Peru with the Students Without Borders™ program. Students Without Borders™ is a World University Service of Canada (WUSC) initiative that provides volunteer opportunities in developing countries for college and university students. Students are given the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-life development projects in Africa, Asia, or South America. We spoke to Colleen just after she returned to find out about her experience.
Why did you decide to take part in the Students Without Borders™ program?
I made the decision to take part in the Students Without Borders™ program because I wanted to challenge myself to live a new experience, which would force me out of my comfort zone and help me to understand and adapt to a new culture. I wanted to be able to meet new people and to be able to learn from people who have grown up in a totally different culture with different socio-economic backgrounds.
What did you hope to gain from your experience, and what have you gained from this experience?
I wanted to learn more about a different culture and to be able to apply those lessons to my own life in order to grow as a person. As a Spanish student, I wanted the chance to practice speaking Spanish with native Spanish speakers.
I feel that the experience has taught me to be more adaptable. During the time that I was in Peru I learned to deal with and adjust to cultural differences and culture misunderstandings. More than anything I had the opportunity to learn about life and the daily struggles in developing countries, such as Peru, which has helped me understand what is most important in life. The experience helped me realize how blessed I have been in my life, and it has motivated me to dedicate myself to sharing with those who do not have the same resources.
What was the most interesting part of your summer?
The most interesting part of my summer was living like a Peruvian! I lived with a Peruvian family who taught me a lot about Peruvian culture and customs. In my daily activities I socialized and worked among Peruvian people who shared their culture with me, and through this interaction I learnt how to see life from a different cultural perspective.
Are there any experiences/events that stand out for you?
During my time in Peru I worked with a social organization that runs programs in the shanty towns of Chiclayo, the city where I was living. The program is dedicated to working with children with low-resources and their mothers. I had the chance to get to know the children and the mothers on a personal basis when working with them in the educational programs offered through the program. Being able to spend time with the children and their mothers has been incredible and it has taught me a lot about the daily struggles people face when dealing with poverty.
What are your career aspirations?
When I graduate I am planning on soliciting post-graduate studies in International Development.
Interested in an international experience? There are a number of exchange programs and international study opportunities offered to students on campus. For more information visit the Campion College Registrar’s Office or the
UR International office . To read more about a student exchange experience from the student’s perceptive, follow
Amy’s blog on the Campion College website.