Peru

Program Details

DATES

June 27-July 8, 2026

12DAYS

SERVICE HOURS

80

TUITION

$5190 (Plus Airfare)

*SEE DETAILS

AVAILABILITY

Available

Alongside our partner, Hands On Peru, you will learn about public health, preventive medicine, and community-based healthcare while working in communities around Huanchaco, Peru.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program will take you to CESAPU (Hands On Peru’s Center for Public Health), where you will experience how preventive healthcare can address health inequities in vulnerable communities. Your days will be spent working alongside physicians and healthcare professionals to deliver essential health services, co-facilitating healthy cooking workshops, supporting infant development classes, and conducting door-to-door health education campaigns. Through each of these activities, you will learn how community-based prevention programs can enhance health outcomes.

While based at CESAPU, you will have the opportunity to shadow local doctors during home visits, assist with nutrition monitoring, and develop skills in health measurements and assessments. You will also participate in activities with Chimuk, a social enterprise program, where you will learn how income-generating projects strengthen public health by providing economic empowerment and community support. Additionally, you will engage with local children through after-school programming at CESAPU, leading games and English classes.

Outside of clinical work, you will have the opportunity to participate in optional surf classes and explore the nearby ancient ruins of Chan Chan, the largest mud-brick city in the world. Through these experiences, you will see firsthand how Hands On Peru combines healthcare delivery with interactive community programs to create healthier communities.

This program is designed to help you understand the critical role of prevention and community engagement in creating sustainable health outcomes while gaining hands-on medical experience. You will leave Peru with a deeper understanding of global health challenges and a new perspective on how addressing social determinants of health can transform communities.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Gain hands-on medical experience alongside physicians and healthcare professionals.

Practice speaking Spanish while conducting door-to-door health education campaigns.

Learn about social entrepreneurship and the importance of public health and prevention.

Lead after-school programs with local children at CESAPU’s community center.

Course Elements

1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous

5

LEARNING SERVICE

You will learn about public health, social entrepreneurship, and how community-based healthcare can transform lives.

5

CURRICULUM

Prior to your travels, you will complete an online curriculum to gain background knowledge for your experience. While traveling, you will learn through engaging articles, cultural experiences, and group reflections.

2

TREKKING

In Huanchaco, you will be walking to local sites around town as well as participating in door-to-door health education campaigns.

2

LIVING CONDITIONS

In Huanchaco, you will be staying at a local hotel in dorm rooms.

2

ON THE MOVE

You will be based in Huanchaco for the majority of your time on the program, with an occasional short van ride (30 minutes) to visit local sites.

3

REMOTENESS

You will be based in the small town of Huanchaco, Peru. Huanchaco is a quiet fishing town that has some surf tourism but maintains its small-town feel.

Itinerary

1

Depart from Miami at 11 PM on an overnight flight to Lima, Peru

2

Arrive in Lima, Peru. Depart by plane for Trujillo, Peru. Arrive to Huanchaco for orientation and dinner. Evening at local hotel.

3

Visit Center for Public Health and participant in a cooking class and infant development class. Observe nutrition program and participate in after-school activities with local youth. Evening at local hotel.

4

Visit to a local school to give public health education sessions. Learn about social entrepreneurship alongside the social enterprise Chimuk. Evening at local hotel.

5

Door to door health education campaign. After school activity with local youth. Beach clean up. Evening at local hotel.

6

Tour a local health clinic. Visit to a local school to give public health education sessions. Visit Plaza de Armas in Trujillo. Evening at local hotel.

7

Visit to a local school to give public health education sessions. Afternoon cultural activity or optional surf class. Evening at local hotel.

8

Public health campaign (take height, weight, and shadow local doctors). Afternoon cultural activity or optional surf class. Evening at local hotel.

9

Tour of Chan Chan - the largest adobe mud brick city in the world & capital of the ancient Chimu civilization. Evening at local hotel.

10

Finalize projects and present findings. Final reflection session. Evening at local hotel.

11

Depart by plane for Lima, Peru. Depart Lima, Peru for Miami.

12

Arrival in Miami, Fl (MIA)

Peru : In Three Phases

1

PRE-TRAVEL CURRICULUM

Prior to your departure, you will be guided by your course instructors through a series of interactive, online lessons designed to help you engage with other members of your group while gaining important context for your experience.

2

FIELD STUDY

The majority of the days at each site are spent learning from our local partners and serving alongside them shoulder-to-shoulder. You will learn through service and experiences designed to help you understand the local context, culture, and history.

3

LIFELONG NETWORK

Ethical leadership is a lifelong journey. After your experience, you will become a part of the Shoulder-to-Shoulder network. This network of past alumni and partners is designed to inspire and support your journey in ethical leadership.

Travel Journal

During the travel phase of each SStS course, you will spend time reflecting and processing your experience. This is a new program, so there are currently no posts.

Important Details

TUITION*

Tuition (students from partner schools): $4990
Tuition (students from non-partner schools): $5190

*Students attending a partner school receive a tuition discount. Click HERE to see partner schools. Please note that tuition does not include airfare.

AIRFARE*

Estimated Flight Cost: $1100

*All students travel to their program destination on a group flight booked by Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. Participants are responsible for any increase in airfares imposed by the airlines. All participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the departure city. SStS will confirm airfare and connecting travel information approximately 60 days before travel.

FINANCIAL AID

SStS is in search of curious, compassionate, globally-minded students from all backgrounds. We will do everything possible to provide financial support to students who require assistance. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, please indicate this on the application. Resources are limited and tend to be less than 50% of tuition.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a full description of our Terms and Conditions, please CLICK HERE.