An international studies student at the University of Maine isn’t waiting until she graduates to make her mark on the world. Emma Leonard, 20, of Boothbay spent 10 days of her March college break in Peru. Leonard joined a group of UMaine students on a service project helping several Peruvian villages.

The trip was organized by a fellow UMaine student who previously participated in a foreign service project in high school. The student put a message on Facebook for others to join her and Leonard eagerly participated in the all-volunteer group.

UMaine students assisted villagers living near the Amazon River by equipping their homes with a water filtration system. They also spent time with Peruvian elementary school-aged students. Peruvian villagers obtain drinking water by the bucket full. The UMaine group connected a tube from the bucket which removed contaminates as the cleansed water flowed into a jug. In the schools, the group spent time with youth coloring Flat Stanleys, which are inspired by an American children’s book chronicling the adventures of a young boy traveling the world.

“I loved experiencing their culture and everyone was so kind and welcoming. It was a great experience,” Leonard said. “It was hard leaving the students because we all became so close to them. A lot of tears were shed when it was time to go.”

Leonard, daughter of John and Donna Leonard of Boothbay, will continue her studies in another South American country, Chile, for the entire next school year. She will take classes taught in both English and Spanish. Her past experiences traveling to Spain, the Dominican Republic and Peru have prepared her for speaking in a foreign language for an extended period.

“Each place has a slightly different dialect,” she said. “When I was in Spain, I tried using some phrases learned in the Dominican Republic and my Spanish house mother had no idea what I was saying. So I am nervous about taking classes, but I’m also very excited at the same time.”

Leonard isn’t sure what career international studies may provide her. Leonard’s minor is in Spanish. She believes her academic background will likely lead to a career working with an international company. She delayed entering college after graduating from Hyde School in Bath in 2014. During her self-described “gap year” in an international program, Leonard spent several months in Spain and the Dominican Republic.  She entered the program late so her choices were limited.

“It was a lot of fun. I ended up working in an orphanage in the Dominican Republic, and I’m glad I got stuck with it. The gap year really sprung my love for traveling.”

During her summer break, Leonard would like to improve her Spanish speaking ability, but she isn’t sure how much time will be spent learning Espanol. “It’s something I always say I’m going to do, but never actually do it.”