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GVI

Why choose GVI?

GVI is an award-winning organisation that tackles critical local and global issues through our travel-based volunteer, internship, fellowship and apprenticeship programs as well as online courses, and virtual programs. At GVI, we believe that long-lasting impact is locally-led, which is why our programs are run in partnership with local organisations like the National Parks of South Africa, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Seychelles, Mexico and Thailand.

We’ve been connecting thousands of change-makers, like you, through an extensive range of nature conservation and social development programs in some of the most vulnerable habitats and communities around the world for over twenty years. Our projects tackle a number of critical global issues from turtle and elephant conservation to citizen science and gender equality.

Joining a GVI program gives you the chance to contribute to something bigger than yourself, and be part of a community of global citizens.

Reviews

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Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing GVI experience

The entire experience that GVI provided was amazing. It started with me being picked up by taxi from a long journey on the aeroplane, which was incredibly exciting. I am very privileged to be able to have gone on this trip and experience everything that I did. From tropical and close to extinct animals like the green macaw, to lovely exotic fruits and foods, I was enamoured by every second spent in Costa Rica. We started our week as the itinerary detailed. We learned how to make tamales, went swimming in the lagoon and made a bench out of ecobricks. At night we went on turtle patrols from 8pm - midnight to make sure poachers stayed away from turtle nests. One of the most amazing moments I experienced was when we saw a turtle laying eggs in the night. The sand was also magical as it seemed to glow, quite literally, underneath our feet as we walked, as a result of the live microcreatures in the sand. We also went to Sepeque where we interacted and stayed with a local Bribri tribe who showed us their way of life and hunting. On the return from this lovely community, we went on a day long hike through the beautiful rainforest where we say camens, iguanas, sloths and many many ants. In reflection, as I was dropped off at the airport, I was sad to see it all go and return to the boring UK. But I took comfort in the memories that I made and friends that I got to keep. Overall a 5/5 would recommend experience. Super!

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment was when we played swimming tag in the lagoon
Pros
  • Humid weather
  • Yummy food
Cons
  • Early starts
  • Away from civilisation
Response from GVI

Hi there Alex

Thank you so much for your review on your time in Costa Rica! We are so thrilled that you had such a fulfilling and exciting time!
It is great to hear how you experienced so much that this base has to offer!

Hope to hear from you again soon - perhaps at another base?

All the best
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

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Madeleine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI in Phang Nga

I felt like it would be a life-altering experience going to Thailand for four weeks with GVI, and I was so completely right. Meeting volunteers from all sorts of backgrounds was so enriching and the friendships formed were so touching. The staff were all so caring and energetic, I felt inspired and excited about the work we were doing. It didn't take long to feel part of the team and when there were challenges I always felt like I could speak to people and that I was not alone.
I fell in love with this part of Thailand and getting to experience a side to it that was so unique felt really special and the kind of responsible travel that I was looking for. The people on the GVI base clearly cared so much about the community and had such a positive impact, it felt amazing to be a part of it all.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
So many fruits that were completely new to me, and of course the controversial durian which I did like up until we were doing a beach clean and found a bunch of rotten durian, which fairly put me off for the rest of my stay.
Pros
  • Beautiful location in the village
  • Hardworking team who really care about what they are doing
  • Schedule that allows for flexibility on activities and tasks depending on weather etc.
Cons
  • You almost always have to get a taxi to go anywhere at the weekends
  • Sometimes it is exhausting, but in a good way
Response from GVI

Hi Madeleine

Thank you so much for your review on this platform! We are so thrilled that you enjoyed your time in Thailand and felt supported and cared for by all those around you! We hope to hear from you again soon!

All the best
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

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Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Trip Ever

I met the most amazing and kind people. They are truly still my best friends even though they live halfway across the world. I stayed in Tenerife working on a whale and dolphin conservation project. We got to see pilot whales, atlantic spotted dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins so closely. It was surreal. Beach cleans were incredibly rewarding and actually fun with the friends we made. There were all kinds of cool activities for when we weren’t busy- surfing, canarian cooking, and hikes. It was very cool and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything!

What was your funniest moment?
During the program we had a talent show, just for fun, and me and my roomate did our own version of the real slim shady by eminem. we drew mustaches on our faces and surprisingly, we won.
Pros
  • fun activities (hiking, surfing, cooking class, etc)
  • great opportunity to meet new people
  • interesting work in marine conservation
Response from GVI

Hi Olivia

Thank you so much for your review on your time in Tenerife, as well as your recommendations for using GVI for those who might be solo travellers or u18. It sounds as though you had a wonderful time and explored all that this incredible base has to offer! We hope to see you again soon, either back in Tenerife or perhaps at another base.

All the best
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
liam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI-Ghana my experience

Coming from a background In sustainability and recently completing a master's, I felt like I could make a difference when volunteering in GVI Ghana, the pre-departure systems gave me a lot of comfort before arriving and gave me realistic expectations. My experience has been nothing but spectacular, the culture in Ghana blew me away, and GVI gave me such great training in how to deal with cultural differences and classroom behaviours! although there were challenges, mainly the heat and unexpected power cuts, GVI made my 8-week stay comfortable and maintained communication while offering me support through projects and any queries I may have had. The Staff at GVI were considerate and made me feel welcome. I am most thrilled about having the opportunity to reach so many students and experience the real culture of the community. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to make an impact and learn more from the people.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My Advice to future travellers is to come into the program with an open mind and share your experience and knowledge with everyone, the locals will teach you so much more than you can even believe, Ghana is a beautiful country with the people being kind, soulful, and welcoming. I strongly recommend this experience.
Pros
  • People and Culture
  • the opportunities to see Ghana
  • The people you meet both on base and in the community.
Cons
  • Unreliable power
  • The Heat
Default avatar
Alyssa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go to GVI Chiang Mai

GVI Chiang Mai has a very high volunteer return rate, and now I can see why. The villagers of Huay Pakoot made this experience spectacular, as well as the staff and other volunteers. I’ve made lifelong friends and unforgettable memories, and especially want to express my love for this village. The food was always delicious, the hikes hard but rewarding, and the activities always exciting and unique. The staff have done such a great job here and deserve so much credit. Everyone should come visit for as long as they can

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I saw 7 venomous snakes in one hike, elephants rolling in the mud, and gibbons swinging through the trees. Spectacular
Pros
  • Amazing food cooked for you every day
  • Culture and language learning
  • Weekend excursions
Cons
  • Cold showers
  • Not wanting to leave!
Response from GVI

Hi Alyssa

Thank you so much for your review as well as attaching a photo of your group! It is always so great to hear how participants become so connected through making life long memories together!

We hope to see you again, either back in Thailand or perhaps at another base?

All the best
Katherine (GVI Outreach Team)

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I’ve always been interested in conservation, but thought I’d never have the time to really explore what was available. Due to redundancy, I decided to act on this desire finally do something for me.

I am passionate about all wildlife and its conservation, but especially turtles due to their long life and the huge impact short sighted actions have on the population. I have been reading books on their history and work being carried out for them. The biggest impact for me is that the work you do now isn’t realised for up to 35 years, so what you do if for long term, not short term reward. Their beauty, grace and endurance being affected by their outright vulnerability in and out of the water gives me a heartfelt desire to do something to give them and their future a chance, even if that is only a few weeks to help a small amount on their, hopefully, long journey.

One of the first websites I looked at was GVI. They have many many hubs around the world with a diverse range of projects. After several informative and guidance emails and chats, it was clear that the time of year and my dates gave me 2x locations to look deeper into. I struggled to get the correct dates and thought another opportunity would pass me by. However looking at other sites convinced me further that GVI was the right one to go for. I changed my dates based on my research and the enthusiasm and support I was given from the GVI team, signing up for GVI Thailand - Ban Nam Khem.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I contacted GVI direct from their website. Sending the first email was scary and exciting at the same time. I didn't really know what to expect and hoped that I'd made the right choice. The email response, information location guidance and their request to call me were very welcome. The call back I had really set the picture and even offered other programmes to consider to ensure I was getting what I wanted. Further research and GVI help reassured me that I was with the right people, going to the right place for me.

Before I signed up, I checked the flight and accommodation availability. Once all looked good, I signed up and started booking! The guidance for applying for the visa was spot on, I had to travel to London to apply and collect my Visa, but Visa support companies will do this for you. I booked the flight direct with Qatar, I also booked the first night hotel via Booking.com which was quick and easy to do. That was it, I was set to go.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

The one piece of advice is to have confidence that you'll have a great time. Selecting the programme you like means you will meet like-minded people and you'll have a great time. Volunteer holidays are full of opportunity, most people travel without knowing anyone and you'll leave with many new friends. Other advice would be to follow the GVI advice on research topics and to download an app with the country's language, it really boosts your experience.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I was lucky as the timing was right for a couple of unusual events.

Most days comprise a morning and afternoon activity. Due to the Sun setting early, there's a lot to pack in. The Marine Conservation programme focusses on 2x visits a week to the Royal Thai Navy base to work cleaning turtle tanks, cleaning baby turtles and measuring and treating larger turtles for any infections. The programme also completes a 3 day visit to a couple of off-shore islands, completing butterfly, bird survey and Coral reef surveys. My time included 3x intern leadership project completions. The interns had been working on their different conservation projects and we worked for each of them for a day. The projects were to man stands in the local town to provide advice and awareness of issues within the country, help create conservation information posts to bring awareness of waste in the sea and a local garden to provide food and a better environment for volunteers. We also completed a sponsorship event raising money for food for the turtles.

Finally, you have weekends off, which most people take the opportunity to travel around the country together to visit other tourist attractions and cities.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was my age. I imagined a lot of young adults not wanting an old person of their parents' age around!! I'd left volunteering late in life, but couldn't let my concerns hold me back! From the moment I arrived, everyone was friendly and inclusive. It was easy to see that age was not an issue. In addition, there are more people volunteering later in life that I realised.

What was your biggest curiosity before participating in the program?

For me the one question I wanted to know was "Will it be worth it" As with all things in this world, you really do get what you pay for. GVI are not the cheapest volunteer organisation. I did consider cheaper offers, but my research led to me question their direction and motivation was not the same as GVI. The onsite staff are dedicated, the food is fresh and cooked by locals, the activities are vast and all with local people providing the transport, guidance, food, accommodation etc. To see where my money went really proved to me that it was the right choice, fair and well spent.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jill Blavet

Job Title
Virtual Internship Supervisor
Jill loves traveling, meeting new people and is passionate about conservation.
She joined GVI in 2020 to learn more about marine life protection. As an intern, Jill worked with organisations based in South Africa, Thailand, and Mexico on marine conservation projects. She also supported education, wildlife, and marine conservation projects in Fiji, Costa Rica, and Seychelles. Soon after completing her internship, she joined GVI as the Virtual Internship Supervisor, where she supports the Virtual Internship programs. Jill believes that it is vital for communities around the world to learn and understand nature's value to improve our behaviour and relationship with the natural environment, which will allow future generations to enjoy it sustainably.
Jill Blavet

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

My trip to South Africa, for sure! It was full of adventures and learning experiences. I felt so close to nature, where I feel the happiest! I have been fascinated by the ocean and marine life from an early age. When I was in Florida, I had swam with Dusky sharks, which was very special; however, my encounter with a Great White through cage-diving in South Africa made me fall in love with sharks even more. During my trip to South Africa, I contributed to the conservation of Great Whites, which was why my travel experience was so enriching. Being in their natural habitat was mesmerising and sharing that serene moment with a Great White underwater was indescribable.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have a deeper understanding of the intersections of the economy, environment, and social factors. Each Sustainable Development Goal is intertwined with one another and is vital to meet each of these goals for the survival of life on earth. Also, when I first joined GVI, I was set on working from one or two locations, but now I have many in mind.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Speaking from personal experience, as a volunteer in marine conservation at GVI, I had the incredible opportunity to design video content for Saving Our Sharks to raise awareness on shark conservation; I was happy to have helped inspire people to change their perspectives on sharks. Additionally, I researched and redesigned educational material on Marine Protected Areas and the positive impact on communities where they are implemented: the education materials were to be utilised by business schools in South Africa. I have now returned to GVI as a VI supervisor, and I look forward to welcoming students from around the world to the VI programs.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Honestly, there are so many programs that I would like to take part in that it is hard to choose just one as they all offer something unique! But, if I had to choose just one, it would be the Lemon Shark and turtle conservation program in Curieuse Island. The reason why I would choose this program is because it deepens the understanding of shark behaviour and furthers conservation efforts, which is crucial now more than ever. Sharks have been around for about 450 million years, and they've survived five massive planet extinction events. Sadly, now some species are critically endangered, and the Lemon Shark population is decreasing, making the species vulnerable. Therefore, it is imperative to use the tags to better understand how to conserve sharks and improve the relationship between humans, sharks, and other marine life.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The people! We are all passionate and dedicated to make a positive change, and we share common goals and values. GVI works with inspiring partner organisations across different locations, which is exceptional. I am very proud that my team ensures we tailor every program to the interns' interests to maximise their experience whilst ensuring the projects that our global partners need are delivered in time and with excellent quality.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Firstly, I believe people are the biggest asset of a company; people are the driving force of a successful organisation. Secondly, an organisation with practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is another success factor. Lastly, it is vital for an organisation to support work-life balance and value its employees to move forward successfully.

Professional Associations

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