Maeve Travels to Peru!

Expectations, Goals, and Excitement

In just over three months, I will have the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks in Peru. I am so excited not only to learn about sustainable and international leadership, but also to explore Peru’s vibrant culture and learn more about the country and about myself.

Although I’m overjoyed, I am also a little nervous. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel abroad before, but even when I explored places independently, I always had my parents or other family members nearby. This will be the first time I leave the country without them. I know I’m fully capable of doing it, but it still makes me a little nervous because they have always been an easy support system I can call whenever I need them. Knowing they won’t be in the same country is definitely a new experience for me.

That leads into some of my personal goals for this trip. I have so many that it’s hard to choose just a few! One of my biggest goals is to have less anxiety about trying new things. I want to feel freer, more open, and willing to embrace new opportunities. Sometimes I let fear or overthinking get in the way, and I hope this trip helps me push past that.

Another goal is to grow professionally by deepening knowledge of international business. I’m excited to observe how business practices, leadership styles, and cultural norms differ from those in the United States. Understanding how businesses operate in other countries will be incredibly valuable for my future career.

While I’m excited to grow professionally, I also want to grow personally. This trip feels like my first real “big girl” trip and a milestone in adulthood.

As for places I’m most excited to visit, Machu Picchu is definitely at the top of my list. Some of my favorite photos of my dad were taken there when he traveled with his friends when he was my age. I’m really looking forward to recreating some of those photos and sharing that connection with him.

I’m also incredibly excited about staying in the Amazon. The Amazon rainforest has been a dream destination of mine for years, and I can’t wait to experience its wildlife and scenery in person.

Even though I have a few nerves going into this trip, I know it will be an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and gain new perspectives. I hope those experiences will shape how I approach leadership and business in the future.

Highlights from Pre-Departure Classes

Choosing just one highlight from our pre-departure classes is honestly difficult. When I first signed up for the study abroad program, I didn’t really know what to expect. Now, I actually look forward to these classes every time I get a notification that we have one.

Not only do we have an amazing professor with whom I’m so excited to travel, but the group of students in the class also seems incredibly smart, kind, and motivated. I’m really looking forward to learning and exploring Peru with them.

One of my favorite moments so far was when Dr. Mock had us complete the Myers-Briggs personality test. Through that activity, I learned that I am an ENFP. It was interesting to see how personality types can influence leadership styles and collaboration in both professional settings and everyday interactions.

I also really enjoyed the activity where we worked with classmates who had similar personality types to plan a hypothetical trip. Not only did it help me better understand how other people think, but it also showed how different personalities can strengthen a team. Those differences will likely make our trip even more dynamic and enjoyable, as we can all learn from one another.

Peer Sector Presentations

I really enjoyed the peer sector presentations during our last pre-departure class. Even when the sector wasn’t something I had previously been interested in, the presentations helped me realize how interconnected different industries are within the business world. It was also fascinating to compare these sectors in Peru to similar industries in the United States.

One presentation that stood out to me was Sarah’s presentation on geo-tourism. I have always been interested in hospitality, especially sustainable hospitality management, so this topic immediately caught my attention. Sarah discussed Inkaterra Hotels, founded by José Koechlin von Stein, which focuses on conserving Peru’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. I thought it was amazing that Inkaterra has been recognized as the world’s first climate-positive resort, and that much of the hotel’s revenue goes back into conservation efforts. It showed how tourism and sustainability can successfully work together.

I also really enjoyed Karley’s presentation on Inca Cola. The brand has such an interesting origin story, and I admire how the company embraces national identity. I was also impressed that they operate on 96% renewable energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. I like that it tastes like a bubblegum Dum-Dum, which makes me even more excited to try it in Peru and see if it tastes the same.

Another presentation I found particularly interesting was Brooklyn’s presentation on Auna Healthcare. As someone who can be a little anxious about health while traveling, I had already looked into healthcare systems in Peru. I had come across Auna during my research, so it was great to learn more about it through Brooklyn’s presentation. I thought it was impressive that Auna operates 32 healthcare facilities across three countries and provides a wide range of services, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and health insurance programs.

These are just a few of the presentations that stood out to me, but every group did an amazing job. They were all informative and engaging, and they made me even more excited to learn about Peru’s business environment while we’re there.

Negotiation Exercise

I really enjoyed the negotiation exercise in which I represented the United States in a discussion about banning products containing mercury. It was interesting to participate in a mock international alternative dispute resolution, especially on a sustainability-related topic.

One of the most interesting parts of the exercise was seeing how different countries approached the issue from different perspectives. Each group had its own priorities and concerns, which made the negotiation feel realistic.

Overall, I think everyone did a great job representing their assigned countries/groups and staying professional during the discussion. Even though there were differing viewpoints, we were ultimately able to reach an agreement. The activity showed how important compromise and understanding different perspectives are when resolving international disputes.