A week in Peru

Not many students can say they’ve had the chance to meet with Canadian Embassy officials, learn first-hand about international trade and development, and take part in a special edition of the Amazing Race – all in one week.

But recently, 4th-year Life Sciences student, Sammie Dhillon, did all that and more during a Junior Team Canada (JTC) Trade and Development Mission to Peru led by Global Vision, a national, not-for-profit organization that engages enterprising young Canadians through education and hands-on experiences so they can develop as a leaders.

Selected from among hundreds to represent her region, Dhillon was part of a delegation of high school and university students from across Canada who took part in the mission, intended to help strengthen cultural and economic ties between Canada and Peru and promote Canadian organizations and businesses.

Dhillon writes about her many experiences, including the organizations she visited, the rich Peruvian culture, and about what it was like to win Peru’s version of the Amazing Race:

Last year, I came across an opportunity that would allow me to enhance my leadership skills and visit one of the most vibrant countries in the world. Fast-forward a few months and I was breathing Peruvian air as a Junior Team Canada (JTC) Ambassador. Travelling is one of my passions and being able to simultaneously expand my professional network was, without a doubt, an experience of a lifetime. From the sites, people, food and culture- Peru definitely did not disappoint.

Our trade mission began with a visit to the Canadian Embassy in Lima. We got the opportunity to engage in a fruitful conversation with trade commissioners. Learning about Canada and Peru’s partnership was even more special as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. As a proud politico, I was intrigued to learn about the country’s political atmosphere and history. Peru has come a long way and it was great to learn about ongoing projects to further develop a prosperous nation economically and socially.

My fellow JTC friends and I really enjoyed our tour of San Ignacio de Loyola University in La Molina. Likewise, it was great to meet with the Canada-Peru Chamber of Commerce and identify potential areas of collaboration. Furthermore, it was an absolute honour to chat with members of the International Finance Corporation Office and learn about their work in developing countries as a member of the World Bank Group.

The tour we received around the headquarters of Lima Gerencia Seguridad Cuidadana, a municipal security authority, was also remarkable. We were fortunate to witness a dog show organized by the staff at Lima Segura and genuinely appreciated the warm welcome.

One of my personal favourite meetings was with Manuela Ramoz. This organization is a non-profit organization founded in 1978. Ultimately, its goal is to improve the situation and position of women. It was great to learn about their day-to-day operations and ongoing initiatives while engaging in a meaningful conversation about feminism and ways to keep the women empowerment momentum going.

As a foodie, I was eager to try the highly praised, local cuisine. Of course, I couldn’t leave without trying a Peruvian delicacy known as ceviche. Ceviche is a combination of raw fish cured in lemon, sweet potato, corn (the biggest kernels ever!) and onions. Some other delicious traditional dishes I highly recommend include lomo saltado, causa a la limeña and aji de gallina. I also made sure to have fries with nearly every meal as you can find more than 3000 varieties of potatoes in Peru.

The rich Peruvian culture would be incomplete without the amazing people. Their ambition, passion and love was truly commendable. My days of watching Dora the Explorer finally came to use as I attempted to speak some Spanish over the span of our mission. Despite modernization and significant development, I particularly admired how Peru has preserved a lot of its history. In one area of the city we visited, fast-food restaurants such as Starbucks adhered to the existing traditional infrastructure.

In between meeting with government officials and stakeholders, JTC participated in a Peru edition of the Amazing Race. Although winning the race was great, the experience of running around the city was priceless. We visited key tourist attractions in the city while enjoying the beautiful weather and even met some fellow Canadians along the way.

My first time in South America convinced me it wouldn’t be my last. I am beyond grateful for being able to come home with some lifelong friendships and everlasting memories.

 Global Vision is a national not-for-profit organization that engages young Canadians through education and hands-on experiences in community leadership, international trade, governance, and diplomacy, enabling them to develop as leaders and make a difference, both locally and globally.