Still packing

But I can't forget to leave without my Spanish dictionary!

Estoy emocionada! I'm so excited! 

In Service, 

Jeanie :) 

It's 4AM and I haven't finished packing

Today is the day! We leave for Peru in a little over twelve hours! I'm so thrilled, excited, happy, ecstatic, elated, overjoyed, and... a little overwhelmed. It's 4AM - and I haven't finished packing. One skill I have yet to master is finding the right things to bring to and from one place to another. Every time I fly from the Bay Area to San Diego, I either overpack or underpack. Most of the time this results in staying up until the wee hours of the morning trying to solve this luggage dilemma. At some point today, it will happen! :)

Do you have any helpful tips and tricks for how to pack smart? Any recommendations for what I should bring to Peru? I will be in the Sacred Valley for ten days teaching in a classroom with children, and possibly working on a construction project at the end of the week. From what I hear, it has been pretty cold and March-April marks the end of the wet season.

Post your responses below! Looking forward to reading them. I hope to post before I leave so be sure to be on the lookout for my next blog entry.


In Service,
Jeanie :)

The Last Hurrah!

Still got that smile
even after an all-nighter! 

This Boy Meets World meme perfectly describes how I'm feeling right now. I just turned in my last final and it is such a relief to be done with another quarter at UCSD. I always get anxious towards the end of the quarter because things tend to pile up and it seems like there isn't enough time for everything. Somehow, things always turn out alright in the end. I'm glad that the endless studying, all-nighters, review sessions, and poor eating habits are finally over with. Time to switch gears and start focusing on my trip to Peru!

Yum! Milkshakes!

Last Friday my team had our final meeting before our flight to Peru. We all had dinner together at Studio Diner in San Diego. This cute restaurant served up large portions of American diner fare and fabulous milkshakes. Good times call for good food and company, and I remember laughing the whole night over the silliest things. Afterward, we gathered outside the restaurant to discuss airline logistics, transportation, and other important announcements. Perhaps it was the amount of information combined with the stress of finals that got me really anxious. I felt so overwhelmed and afraid for the rest of the week. Now that I'm finally finished with finals and have a day tomorrow to get all of my packing done, I feel more at ease. Aside from getting the major preparations, I think this extra day will allow me to mentally prepare for the trip. Gotta get in the mindset of a dedicated volunteer, you know? :) 

AB Peru @ Studio Diner 

I can't believe it's almost time for us to head off to Peru. Two more days... I can't wait! :D

ExtremelyOverlyOutrageouslySuperduper Excited,
Jeanie :)

Meet My Team

Hola mis amigos! :)

New updates to our page! Check it out! 

AB Peru's website has been updated! If you haven't already had the chance, check out our page at abperu2013.wordpress.com. We've included new pictures, short bios about each of the members, and more information about Peru. Get to know members of my team and what we're all about!

One of the reasons why I decided to join Alternative Breaks was for the opportunity to connect and network with UCSD students who were passionate about service. I've been involved with campus organizations here and there, but nothing ever really clicked or resonated with my interests. However, I think Alternative Breaks might be the thing I've been searching for. Joining Alternative Breaks and being a member of such a vibrant community has not only exposed me to various social justice issues, but it has also allowed me to work alongside some of the most passionate and committed students UCSD has to offer.

I'm so grateful to be sharing this experience with my team members. Most weeks, I meet with a member of my team to have a one-on-one conversation in order to get to know my fellow group members. Every Wednesday night marks our weekly group meetings where we get together and complete the necessary preparations for our service project. Things have been very challenging. However, we all have unique opinions and awesome ideas to contribute. I know that our differences only reflect the diversity or our team and our commitment towards the service project. As the saying goes:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizen can change the world. Indeed, it is in the only thing that ever has." 

- Margaret Mead 

Meetings with AB Peru 

Each service trip, or AB group, is structured in the same way: there are two student site leaders, a community advisor, and ten student and alumni participants. Our program is definitely student-driven. As a participant, meetings alone take up a lot of time during the week. Our site leaders, Varun and Karina, have devoted so much time and effort to ensure our team has a safe volunteer experience. A special shout out to my site leaders! They are phemonal leaders and have such big hearts toward our service project.

Morning hikes with AB Peru 

Of course, outside of meetings our group also makes time for fun. Just last week, we planned a sunrise hike on the Mount Woodson Trail (or Potato Chip Rock) in Poway. (It looks like a potato chip doesn't it!?) I'm not the fitness-y type... I honestly can't remember the last time I went to the gym. I will say, this hike was definitely a work-out. Anyway, I enjoyed getting to know my team members and getting a healthy workout along the way. Earlier in the quarter we also had a dessert and board game social and a film viewing (which I'll talk more about in another another post).

Just a few more days before my group and I will be heading out... it's all very surreal, but I'm super stoked for the experience ahead. Be sure to check back for new posts leading up to my trip.

Thanks, everyone!


In Service,
Jeanie :)

¡Español es Muy Divertido!

Spanish Lesson with AB Peru 

If ever you go to a foreign country, it's probably a good idea to know the language that the people there speak. Most of my team members know some Spanish, but last week our site leaders facilitated a sort-of "Spanish Re-fresher". In high school I learned American Sign Language (ASL), but I picked up Spanish for fun last year. Loved it- fue muy divertido! (Translation: Learning Spanish was fun!)

I've also been practicing my Spanish using this interactive website called Duolingo. There are a bunch of interactive activities that prompt you to speak or type in Spanish and English. It's been awhile since I took my last Spanish class, so this has been a tremendous resource in preparing for my service project.

Do you know any Spanish words or phrases that will be helpful during my trip? Let me know by commenting below! We can practice our Spanish together. 

Talk to you soon!


In Service,
Jeanie :)

Our Partner: UBELONG

I just got my volunteer shirt in the mail! It's crazy to think that in just a few weeks, my team and I will be heading to Peru. Midterms season at UCSD is drawing to a close, with finals just around the quarter. Even with the pace of the quarter system, my team still manages to meet every week to prepare for our trip. This week we will be conducting a Skype conference call with our volunteer organization: UBELONG. With that, I'd like to share some information about our partner organization and the type of work we will be doing in the Sacred Valley.

AB Peru will be working with UBELONG

UBELONG is a social venture based in Washington, D.C. and founded in 2009 by Cedric Hodgeman and Raul Roman. UBELONG's mission works with grassroots organizations in order to connect individuals and provide them with unique experiences that generate positive change. UBELONG's affordable volunteer opportunities makes international development efforts accessible to everyone. Ultimately, these experiences give volunteers greater cross-cultural understanding and connects them to communities that are in great need. UBELONG provides volunteer opportunities throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Machu Picchu
A popular tourist destination in Latin America

The Sacred Valley, the specific community we are working with, holds the famous Peruvian town of Cusco. From here, many tourists head over to Machu Picchu which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. These Incan ruins are mostly noted as one of the Wonders of the World. While Peru has benefited from tourism, the Sacred Valley is one of the poorest provinces in Peru and many residents live below the poverty line. In terms of education, infrastructure deficiencies, few qualified teachers and shortages of educational materials are problems that greatly affect education in local schools.

Our project will require us to work with students ranging from elementary to high school age. These students come from very poor backgrounds. Volunteers work with teachers to coordinate lesson plans and provide individualized attention to students. Through these interactions, we hope to aid their academic success and help cultivate their social and emotional development as well. Some of the subject material we will cover include teaching English, mathematics, reading, and offering enrichment activity through music and the arts.

This project is really close to my heart in so many ways. Having came from a low-income background, education has taken me to so many heights. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would be attending one of the greatest universities in the country. My experience as a Camp Counselor in 2010 with Rotary International also gave me the opportunity to connect with students and inspire a generation of leaders. Youth empowerment and education are social issues that mean a lot to me. Through my service, I hope to gain a better understanding of these issues and how I effectively advocate for those individuals and communities I will be working with.

Recently, UBELONG's co-founder Cedric Hodgeman was published in The Huffington Post. In the article, he explores how social entrepreneurship and social media have made volunteering more accessible for everyone. Check it out below:
UBELONG Article on The Huffington Post

As the days get closer, I get anxious and excited for the experiences ahead. I look forward to our project and the people that we will meet, to spend more time with my AB team, and more importantly I look forward to the things that I will take away from my service. I'm a very sentimental person, so I know my time in Peru is going to be a life-changing experience!

Have a fabulous week everyone! More updates soon!

In Service,
Jeanie :)

*Information taken from UBELONG Website & Volunteer Publications 

Gourmet Grilled Cheese is a Hit!

Hooray for successful fundraising!
Grilled Cheese, Paninis, Cupcakes, & Thai Tea!

If I could describe college life in three words it would be on-the-go. I'm constantly running around, going from class to work to meetings and class again... UCSD runs on an academic quarter system, so I'm always rushing to meet deadlines and finish projects. I'm really lucky if I can fit in a snack break or a lunch date with a friend every now and then.

There is a solution to all of this madness: serving food on-the-go. This week, my AB team coordinated a food fundraiser where we served gourmet grilled cheese, nutella paninis, cupcakes, and thai tea at very affordable prices for students. We propped up a canopy and a table near the center of campus, and tried to reach out to students during lunchtime and passing periods. Our fundraiser was a hit! With the help of Von's Supermarket, Sprinkles Cupcakes, and Cupcakes Squared who generously donated materials for our fundraiser, we were able to raise over $300 for our service project. And that's not all - we're scheduled to continue our fabulous fundraiser tomorrow as well!

I had a lot of fun prepping sandwiches and meeting all of the students that came out to support our cause. Even though our fundraiser required a lot of preparation, the feeling of success and knowing that all of our efforts are going towards a meaningful cause is truly rewarding. I'm so blessed to be a part of this dynamic and enthusiastic team!

This was actually my first experience doing a food fundraiser on-campus. I was so amazed by the turnout and the results. Just because I want to share the love, here are a few tips that worked for our group. I hope your next fundraiser is also a huge success!

Tips for a Successful Fundraiser:
1. Use your resources - See what your neighborhood or network has to offer. Businesses are always looking for opportunities to reach out to the community. Utilize your resources in order to limit your total expenses.
2. Serve with a smile - Customer service is definitely key when working with others. Let them know you appreciate them for taking the time to support your organization. Smile and say "Thank you!".
3. Be creative - Grilled cheese!? Who would have thought? Our fundraising ideas totally came out of the blue. You never know what works until you try.

If you're in the San Diego area or are a UCSD student, the fun isn't over yet! We'll be holding our food fundraiser again tomorrow on-campus. We are also holding a restaurant fundraiser at Souplantation, so come hangout with us!

For more information about our team's fundraisers, check out the links below:
AB Peru's Gourmet Grilled Cheese & Nutella Panini Fundraiser
AB Peru's Restaurant Week

So excited for tomorrow's fundraiser! Be sure to stop by and say hello! :)

In Service,
Jeanie :)

The 411 on Alternative Breaks

Hi everyone!

Officially launched my fundraising page! 

I finally launched my fundraising page last night and began the process of writing letters to my friends and family. Within a few hours I was able to raise over $50! :) Thank you all for your continued support! I intend for this blog to be an interactive project between my friends, family, donors, and anyone that would like to follow my volunteer experience to the Sacred Valley. Really, it's my way of saying "thank you". I am so grateful for the opportunity to volunteer in the Sacred Valley and your support helps this vision come to life. I can't wait to share all of my experiences with you so please follow my blog. I'm updating my blog frequently so don't miss out! 

These upcoming posts are going to talk about the volunteer organizations I will be working: Alternative Breaks @ UCSD and UBELONG. Today, I'm going to talk about Alternative Breaks, or as we refer to it on campus "AB". 

Alternative Breaks @ UCSD 

AB connects students to volunteer opportunities during their academic breaks. For instance, AB@UCSD takes students on volunteer trips during Spring and Summer break. These trips range from national to international. I am doing a Spring break trip to Peru. This year, UC San Diego is sending students to 15 trips - the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Louisiana, and many other locations! 

Each team is made up of 10 students, 2 site leaders, and a faculty advisor. My team meets every Wednesday in order to prepare for our service in the Spring. During our weekly meetings we usually discuss volunteer logistics, plan group fundraisers, and even practice our Spanish! (I know I need to brush up on my Spanish before I go to Peru!) This academic quarter, members facilitated presentations about Peruvian life including the history, government, economy, and other subjects. This gives us a more informed perspective before we head off to Peru. My presentation was on Peruvian culture but I'll write more about that in a later post. AB@UCSD really puts emphasis on getting educated prior to the service project and reflection after the service project. I guess you could say this blog is also a form of personal reflection throughout my volunteer experience.  

AB Peru @ Winter Retreat 

Grabbing lunch before heading off to retreat 

Just a few weeks ago, the entire Alternative Breaks @ UCSD Collaborative hosted its Winter Retreat in Chula Vista. Since our service teams were formed late fall, Retreat allowed us to bond as a group and get to know other UCSD students who were involved with AB. Of course, a service organization can't get together without doing some kind of volunteer work! Groups were designated to various locations throughout Chula Vista to help pick up litter. Although we'd hope our efforts were able to eliminate pollution in San Diego, I realized that pollution encompasses a larger socio-economic issue that cannot be solved just by picking up trash.  

Members of AB Peru, AB Guatemala, and AB Puerto Rico cleaning a creek 

AB is sponsored by an organization called Break Away. (Check them out here). Essentially, the philosophy behind both of these organizations is to inspire life-long active citizens through direct service. At UCSD, these trips use education of social justice issues combined with strong direct service to have a lasting impact on students and the communities they work with. If I wasn't involved with AB, I don't think I'd ever hear about the issue of pollution in San Diego. 

WOW! That's a lot. I could go on to talk more about AB@UCSD, but I'll leave it there for now. :) Check out the links below for more information! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

LINKS 
AB@UCSD | abatucsd.org
Break Away | alternativebreaks.org

In Service,
Jeanie :)

Welcome to my blog!

Hello friends, family, and readers! 

Welcome to my blog! Hooray for first post! 

Welcome to my blog! Here you will find my reflections, thoughts, and updates throughout my volunteer experience in Peru. I can't wait to share my experience with you so please follow me on this journey. It's my first service trip abroad and I am looking forward to all the amazing things I will learn and see. Moreover, I'm really excited to be writing this blog! I have never written a formal blog before (I don't think reblogging pictures on Tumblr counts) so I really hope you enjoy this online project!

If you haven't already please check out my fundraising page at: http://www.youcaring.com/mission-trip-fundraiser/Jeanie-s-Alternative-Break-to-Peru-/40544. I am trying to raise $2,000 to help defray the cost of program fees and airfare. Any amount of support would help and I will be extremely grateful to you.

Also, check out these other pages! My service team has our own Wordpress Blog and Facebook page.
AB Peru Wordpress
AB Peru Facebook Page

Can't wait to get this journey started! Thank you all for your support.


In Service,
Jeanie