Kayla McMullen is a 27 year old physician recruitment coordinator about to start on an adventure of a lifetime alongside her husband Daniel.  This will be Kayla's first time living abroad.  She will be volunteering with Vive Peru in Trujillo, Peru.  Here, she will do a hospital rotation which will include observing clinical procedures and coordinating community events and activities.  Kayla will also be helping Vive Peru with public health outreach where she will do home visits to assist with healthy habits, visit families, evaluate home conditions (kitchen hygiene, animals, portable water) and answering questions that families may have.  Continue reading to learn more about Kayla and why she decided to pursue Venture With Impact.

Kayla McMullen

What motivated you to sign up for Venture with Impact?

"When I first heard about Venture with Impact it seemed too good to be true! I had the opportunity to live abroad while still working and also getting to volunteer within the community? I'm in!"

Have you ever lived abroad before?

"No"

What made you decide that now was the time to experience living abroad?

"I have always been open to living abroad, but the opportunity never presented itself - until now! To me, two months is the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in another culture while also allowing you to keep your job, house/apartment, pets, etc. back at home. I don't think there is ever a "right" time to live abroad - you will need to make sacrifices and take some risks, but it will all be worth it! Where there's a will, there's a way."

Did you have a remote position prior to joining Venture with Impact? If not, how were you able to convince your boss to let you join VWI?

"I did not work remotely before Venture with Impact. My boss values work-life balance and knows that I am passionate about traveling and volunteering and understands this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Have you done much international travel prior to VWI?

"I have been to Paris, London, Barcelona, Ecuador, Vancouver, Mexico and the Caribbean."

What are you most excited about most for your volunteer experience with VWI?

"I am most excited to learn about the Peruvian culture and to really get to know the locals and listen to their stories."

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?

"I tried ostrich at a restaurant in Atlanta. Never again!"