Leila Orchin - Peru Program Director
Leila Orchin became hooked on VISIONS as a teenage participant in 2001. Her experience in Virgin Gorda became a key influence on for her life thereafter. She credits her parents for first instilling in her a love of travel and adventure. Before Leila had a hair on her head (the passport read ¨bald¨) she had already traveled internationally-by-Snuggie. Since learning how to walk, Leila has spent years living and traveling in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain. After her formative experience with VISIONS as a teen, Leila always knew she wanted to reconnect with VISIONS, which she did again in 2007 as a staff leader in the Dominican Republic. She has directed in Peru for the past two summers and developed a real homey relationship with the beautiful Andean pueblo of The Bamba (Urubamba).
Leila graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish. In New York City she worked for a global youth network and wrote her senior thesis about transnational, virtual activist communities. Although the academy has its advantages, Leila is a firm believer in experiential learning. This year in Barcelona she assists in the English department of a public elementary school and works at a private center dedicated to teaching English through the arts. When not abroad, Leila cherishes reconnecting with her tribe of loved ones in the States.
Leila believes to her core that VISIONS teaches participants as much as they are willing to learn. Take note: Leila has been training for the Bamba Olympics, mastering a series of site-specific games including cuy-eating contests, market haggling and pico swinging. Bring it on!