ISV
Programs and Reviews
Our mission is to create an environment that combines conservation, education, community development and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for participants who desire to make a difference by volunteering in communities abroad. ISV offers life-changing volunteer and adventure programs across 6 continents. Over 22,000 participants from around the world have experienced our volunteer, educational, cultural and adventure programs.
Many college and university students who participated in ISV Programs have also earned academic credit for their involvement. ISV is recognized as one of the highest rated volunteer and travel organizations in the world.
ISV is a non-profit organization in the USA, Costa Rica, Thailand and Ecuador. While our sending offices in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Canada serve the same purpose as our USA office (looking after students and sending them abroad), they are not registered as a non-profit.
Begin your adventure with ISV today!
Programs Abroad
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Reviews
100%Overall
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100%Overall
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ISV really opened up my eyes to the world outside of my own. In January 2012 I headed off to Africa with ISV. I got to really experience not only the culture of Africa but also really understand the hardship that the people there go through. It was so rewarding to give back to such an amazing community and see how appreciative the people were of our hard work. I now appreciate my home country and everything I have so much more.
Another positive that came out of ISV was that I was always too scared to travel to Africa by myself and none of my friends wanted to come with me. When I heard of ISV, I thought it would be an easy and safe way to travel. Turns out, I was 100% correct. In fact, so correct, that I extended my trip another 4 weeks and continued to travel around Africa by myself. If it weren't for ISV, I probably never would have ended up going to Africa. The ISV staff really looked after us and made me feel safe the whole time. There was not one moment in the 4 week ISV program that I felt unsafe or in trouble.
I would definitely do another trip with ISV and recommend ISV to everyone as you get to have the best adventures, make some awesome new friends from all over the world and also make a difference in the world, even if it may only be a small contribution - every little bit of help counts. ISV is the best thing I've ever done out of all of my travels.
Critical Feedback:
ISV is almost perfect. One thing I would change would be that the program was longer :)
100%Overall
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My time volunteering in Costa Rica was incredible! Each morning we would wake up and hike in the rainforest, watch the sunrise, and get to observe all sorts of animals. Our host family was so generous and kind that it was a joy to live with them. The entire community that we worked with welcomed us with open arms.
And don't even get me started about the adventure tour. It was absolutely wonderful and I could not have asked for a better way to travel the country. You get a good mix of the tourist locations and the local secrets. You have a wonderful guide that knows more about the country than you will ever be able to wrap your mind around.
Critical Feedback:
If I had to change one thing it would be that there would be more security. We had several people on the trip who had things stolen from their housing. While this is always a risk when traveling, it might be possible to prevent.
100%Overall
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A big thank you to ISV for giving me the opportunity of a life time. From two weeks of volunteer work, camping in Swaziland, immersing myself in the African bush, to an action packed, fun and fulfilling tour around South Africa, i cannot fault the program.
Making life long friends from around the world, Bungy jumping in Storms River and learning the local language Siswati, were definite stand outs of my trip however 4 weeks with the program and i would not change a thing.
I highly recommend this program and if you do decide to become a volunteer and travel with ISV i highly recommend the 2weeks volunteer work and 2 weeks tour including the optional activity package :)
Critical Feedback:
90%Overall
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My trip to South Africa was the most eye opening and heart warming thing I have ever done! The things I experienced and the things that I saw while I was there will live within my memory and my heart forever! I would highly recommend travelling to study, volunteer and adventure to anyone and everyone. Trust me if I can do it any one can! All you have to do is dream and believe! Hands down the best thing I have ever done and I will definitely be doing it again soon.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Meet Jenna Devary, ISV team member
GO: Tell us a little about ISV and your role at the company.
Jenna: My role as a volunteer for ISV was to bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn to Australia so I could work with a group of like minded people to conserve the land and animals that support us all. We planted nearly 7,000 trees and in turn saved various species of kangaroos from extinction so future generations can enjoy what earth has to offer.
GO: How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?
Jenna: I began to volunteer when I was in middle school, teaching reading skills to children who were lacking in their development. I continued to do so at the local level in various fields. I learned about ISV in undergraduate studies and could not pass up the opportunity to travel to Australia! Volunteering at any age or any level is such a great way to gain experience in your interests while making a lasting impact in the lives of others.
GO: What makes ISV unique?
Jenna: ISV is unique in the way they combine two weeks of meaningful volunteering with two weeks of adrenaline filled adventure travel. ISV's programs bring like minded people together to make a difference in the world while having a life changing experience within their own.
GO: In your experience, what characteristics make a good international volunteer?
Jenna: A good international student volunteer in my eyes can be defined as someone who is whole hearted, motivated and carries a positive attitude- always willing to dive in, help out and learn from their surroundings!
GO: What does the future hold for ISV?
Jenna: As more people travel with ISV, word will get out on how amazing and life changing this program is. It allows students such a unique opportunity that will be carried with them for the rest of their lives and the lives they touch. ISV is such a great way to exchange skills and knowledge between cultures. In the future I hope ISV has programs in every country someday available for university students so we can all call ourselves active global citizens!
On January 19 2013, I travelled with International Student Volunteers to South Africa for what was undoubtedly the most amazing, rewarding month of my life!
I chose to undertake a conservation project - I worked with 19 other students, 2 amazing ISV leaders and 3 incredible members of the host organisation WEI (Wildlife Ecological Investments) at Masebe Nature Reserve.
Here, we stayed at the local 'Telekishi' community in traditional huts. During the morning, we would wake up early to do bird counts out in the field (by the end of the two weeks we were all expert bird spotters, and could even mimic some of the native bird calls!). After the bird counts, we conducted transects - we essentially measured the vegetation to help WEI identify if the land is suitable for use as a game reserve again. Driving to each site we saw an array of animals including kudu, impala and giraffes! We went for hikes up the nearby cliffs for spectacular views of the area whilst learning about the history of the area by a member of the Telekishi community.
Additionally, we visited the local school - this was so much fun, and incredibly rewarding! The kids were so excited to see us, it was so hard leaving them. We taught the children about the water cycle, and the importance of keeping our waterways clean and unpolluted! Also, we were involved in meetings with adult community members that taught them the importance of caring for the environment.
After two weeks of volunteering, we had to say goodbye to Teleskishi :( - and hello to the adventure tour!
We started off in Jeffrey's Bay, Port Elizabeth - here, we stayed in awesome beachfront accommodation! This place had a really cool vibe about it; here we had surfing lessons and explored the surf shops.
Then we headed to Tsitsikamma National park, where we went ziplining, hiked along the coast to a brilliant open waterfall, and those of us who were keen bungy jumped off Bloukrans Bridge (216m high - the worlds highest bungy jump - this was amazing!).
Then we headed along the spectacular garden route to Cape Town. Here, we spent 5 days doing activities such as going up table mountain, visiting Langa township, visiting the local markets, going to a 25m long buffet with African entertainment and face-painting, visiting seal and penguin colonies, and on our free day some of us went shark cage diving!
Then we flew up to Johannesburg and drove to Blyde River Canyon; just after we unpacked, we walked outside our accommodation to find kudu walking around, and then sat and watched monkeys playing as the sun went down! Here we went canyoning in the worlds largest green canyon, went river tubing, and relaxed in the pool in our free time.
Our last stop was the amazing Kruger National Park - we went on a night drive and a full day game drive - on both occasions we saw animals such as giraffes, elephants, buffalo, jackals, lions and zebra, among others!
The worst part of the trip was coming home - I'll definitely be visiting South Africa again!