Amazing Race: Lima Edition

Jeff Sheng - Junior Team Canada Ambassador

JTC about to embark on the Amazing Race: Lima Edition.

Happy Valentines from JTC!

I’ve always been a fan of The Amazing Race, but I never thought I’d actually be in one. Today, I had the chance to take part in Junior Team Canada’s Amazing Race: Lima Edition. My team, led by Rubi and Estefania (USIL students), explored the city of Lima while looking for various checkpoints. From taking pictures at Kennedy Park to running through a cluster of pigeons in “San Francisco”, I had the opportunity to discover four incredible districts of Lima: Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, and Centro de Lima.

 In Miraflores, we watched surfers masterfully tame the enormous waves of the Pacific Ocean. In Barranco, we explored some of Lima’s oldest buildings. In San Isidro, we watched a dog show in the colonial olive garden. And in Centro De Lima, we watched “El Cambio de Guardia”—the changing of the guards in front of the Presidential Palace.

While I started off a little groggy due to limited sleep, I ended the race invigorated and in awe of Lima’s diverse architecture and culture. While we ended up being the last team to arrive at the finish line, we were the only team to hit all of our checkpoints. Today was fascinating, but I can’t wait to explore more of this beautiful city with my fellow JTC ambassadors! 

On the Ground with JTC

Gloria Yu - Junior Team Canada Ambassador

JTC Ambassador's Coming Together in Peru Just before Take-Off

Sitting in classes at my school in Vancouver, BC, little did I know that soon I would be on the journey of a lifetime, a trade mission to Peru! Before I knew it, I was rushing through the airport at five in the morning on my way to meet the rest of team. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be one of the only people on the team from the west coast but also the only person who has never participated in any Global Vision program in the past. It was hard to know what I was going to expect and as I walked towards my gate I was a little overwhelmed and uncertain about what I was about to experience. 

However, after spending the past two days with Adam and my fellow JTC ambassadors, I cannot say enough how futile my worries and concern were. I was not only greeted with an amazing group of like-minded peers to help and support me throughout this mission, but we also had the support of Terry Clifford’s book ‘the 5-Step Game Changer” to guide me through the whole process.

Long-Time Friend of Global Vision, Jorge Mazuelos Was Awarded during the Reception Global Vision's Hearts and Mind Award.

One of the first, and most helpful, things our team did after arriving in Lima was splitting up into teams of three and doing a team SWOT analysis to identify our collective bank of assets. This was not only helpful in getting to know each other on a personal level but also allowed us to identify and enhance our group dynamics as a whole. It was important that I realize that I can use my strengths to balance weaknesses of others and vice versa.  

After our meeting, we went to the Canadian embassy to put our assets to work, networking with leaders in business, education and community at a reception kindly hosted by the Canadian Ambassador to Peru, Patricia Fortier. I was truly humbled by the plethora of representatives present from various sectors, but what truly exemplified the Junior Team Canada experience was how every professional treated us with respect and not only shared their expertise but went out of their way to help us in every possible way. From getting in contact with the Ministry of Education of Peru to setting up meetings with the International Recruitment Agent from the University of Alberta, I am ecstatic that I went outside of my comfort zone and applied to Junior Team Canada. The experiences and opportunities granted to me thus far during our team’s first two days in Peru are unattainable elsewhere and I look forward to everything Junior Team Canada has to offer over the next eight days.

A sunset enjoyed from the roof of our hotel!