The horrible truth...

Ok, so I have made a decision. If I manage to make it this year, I am going to go with ProWorld Service Corps. There is a ton of information on their website, and even though they are US-based they also have offices in the UK. I called them the other day and the woman I spoke to sent me some more information, which all sounds fantastic. Only problem is the clock is ticking, and if I'm going to do this I need to book it soon to get my place, and also to get all my vaccinations (yellow fever - yummy!) and to make sure that I can get a flight at a decent price.

The dates I'm hoping to go are between 05/07/05 and 07/08/05 (a good balance of 6 weeks on the project and 3 weeks travelling to see all the things that I want to see - 9 weeks overall).

The project is an NGO Internship with Ministry of Health in the Sacred Valley. The project fee will be £1,550 for 6 weeks, and will include:

• 24 hour access to ProPeru Home Base and Support Staff


• Communications and medical assistance constantly available


• Organisation and administrative cost for project and excursions


• Individual Internship and Development Projects


• Very hard to get in UK/Europe


• Intensive Daily Private and Small Group Spanish Classes


• Would cost £1500 with Teaching & Projects Abroad for 4 week language course


• Family Home Stay Immersion


• Only other way to have this experience is if knew people abroad or with a more expensive scheme


• Cultural and Adventure Excursions


• Once in a lifetime opportunity to see and do things in Peru

But unfortuantely that isn't all that I need.

Return flight to Cusco £ 700.00
Airport taxes and visa £ 78.00
Insurance £ 82.50
Equipment, clothing, vaccinations, spare glasses etc. £ 300.00
3 week expedition to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca £ 500.00
Spending money £ 400.00
Contingency money £ 150.00
TOTAL £3760.50

Don't like big numbers. Unfortunately this doesn't take into account my lost earnings for the summer that I really need to get me through my last year of uni, given that the loan for the final year is about £1000 less than the other years - bah. Luckily the fact that I don't need to pay housing costs over the summer (as I am moving house) will help a little, but not very much. :(