Program Reviews

Affordable, knowledgeable and just supportive!

My experience as a medical volunteer and as a childcare volunteer was nothing short of amazing. Of course, my trip would not have gone as smoothly as it did without the aid of Jonathan. He was absolutely amazing and was knowledgeable about everything and anything. Not only did he play a tremendously huge part in organizing and helping me feel comfortable at the local hospital, he was also a significant part of organizing our weekend outings as well. Everyone was very helpful and welcoming -- especially the kids. I will definitely be going back!

My experience volunteering abroad in Antigua was, overall, a wonderful experience. From program placement, to weekend excursions, it was organized and well thought out.
Personally, after attending the clinic for a week and a half, I felt as though I wasn't doing enough to help the community, so I chose to fundraise enough money to provide medicine for those who couldn’t afford it.
Overall, my experience was wonderful, I would recommend it 10/10 if you're even slightly considering volunteering abroad! Antigua was beautiful, and I was surrounded by the kindest, happiest people I've ever met.

I volunteered with Volunteer Abroad GT for two months in 2018 (November-December) and 3 weeks in 2019 (January) in Antigua. I am a full time college student at Boston College, Massachusetts. To graduate BC, I needed to complete at least forty hours of an internship. I spent a lot of time researching opportunities online and found Volunteer Abroad GT fairly quick. I studied their web page and organization thoroughly and finally decided to pick the medicine program. I had always wanted to travel internationally and I felt that this was a good opportunity to travel and appreciate the different views of a new culture.
As soon as I applied to the program, I felt supported and valued. My personalized webpage outlined all the tasks I needed to complete before my departure as well as what to expect from my program. I was relieved to have a local staff member meet me at the airport after my travels. My host family welcomed me and instantly made me feel like a member of the house. My room was storage sufficient and nice. All food and clean water was provided. A local staff member met me Monday morning and gave me a tour of the town, my placement, and the staff office. At my work placement, I had flexible work hours. I rotated between family planning, curative, and maternal and child health. All of the staff members were welcoming and helpful in letting me be proactive in the clinic. I took weights, heights, blood pressures, blood sugars, interviewed patients, and assisted with six week checkups including vaccinations for babies.
There were plenty of opportunities to travel the country on the weekends.
The staff was helpful in answering any questions. Traveling abroad teaches one patience, resilience, confidence and problem solving. You appreciate what you have and it’s very rewarding to help those less fortunate. We may have a lot to give but they also have a lot to teach us in return. Overall, I would highly recommend Volunteer Abroad GT for volunteering/interning internationally!

My name is Agne. I'm 26 years old and I am from Denmark. I participated working with the Children at Risk program through VAGT. My project was incredible, as I got to work with little kids (3-5 year olds), and help influence them and their future decisions. Being able to contribute to their future success and help the teachers there, who truly do need the help, felt so rewarding. This project was one of the most eye opening, incredible things I've ever done in my life.
I lived with a wonderful host family –Mama Lu- and her family. Aside from the actual volunteer work, they contributed greatly to my experience there. The staff support while in Antigua was astonishing. I got super sick while I was there(I get motion sickness easily) and they immediately called my parents and took me to the doctor and even paid for my medicine and doctors visit.
My roommates were easily one of the greatest parts of my trip. We were all near the same age, so I think that contributed to how well we got along, but they were also just incredible people with such big hearts; I feel so honored to know that they'll forever be a part of my life. I lost my wallet the very first day I was in Antigua, and my roommate Stephanie helped me pay for anything and everything the rest of the trip (I paid her back of course). There's truly no one else like the other volunteers; they're so giving, understanding, and genuinely good people
I would do it a thousand times over again if I could.

I feel so grateful to have volunteered abroad through VAGT. I felt their support since the moment I sent my first email inquiring about my program.
I worked at a local school where I feel my help made a real impact, this was a real eye opening experience, I learned so much and was able to give back. Their programs are so well structured and go beyond what anyone could expect. Not only I gained experience but I amso gre as a person. My coordinator guided me since i arrived at the airport and was key to having a great time.
My host mom Lucia was amazing! Her food is delicious . They always made me feel at home. I had a real cultural immersion! If you choose to volunteer abroad, guve this guys a try, you will not regret it.
I will be forever thankful for this eye opening experience!

The trip to Guatemala was the best trip of my life so far. I enjoyed immersing into the new culture, exploring nature, trying local food. I made new friends that I know will be forever in my life. And I feel great to say that I also had an opportunity to give back by being a medical volunteer.

I absolutely loved working at the local hospital, helping nurses and doctors care for postoperative patients. I gained important skills that will be useful to me in my future career as a nurse practitioner.

As a medical volunteer, I began by assisting staff during meals and patient transports. After I’ve gained more experience, I was trusted to work at the top of my scope by conducting more responsible tasks such as monitoring patients’ vital signs, changing IV fluid bags, and administering prescribed medications. During discharge, I was able to help out by translating and interpreting the physician's instructions that were written in Spanish. It was very helpful that the program offers homestay. My Spanish got even better as I had to use it all day!
Guatemala was an incredible and humbling experience, and I was fortunate to be a part of a team of current and aspiring medical workers, who gave their best to bring optimal healthcare to the less fortunate.

It is a life changing experience, I was able to have what I thought was a very profound humbling experinece. This experience has made me grow as a person, not just by the experiences I had there but by being around like-minded people who also wanted to make a change.
Never once did I feel alone, even on day one. I would recommend everyone travel alone and do an experience like this helping others in vulnerable situations because you will absolutely come out a changed person for the better.
the members of the local team are so passionate for their work and go above beyond in ensuring your happiness duing your stay.
I feel so lucky to have been part of a program that cares this much i would definitely be volunteering with VAGT again.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, IT WAS TRULY AMAZING IN A TRULY AMAZING COUNTRY ...

Was an amazing experience.
Having the opportunity to be part of a change, part of a very helpful and nice program.
The experience of being with the people that needs so much help, sharing moments with them was just great.
I definitely would repeat this experience, this is something I would love to do again in the future. This experience was nothing short of amazing for me, I met plenty of people with different nationalities and met a lot of new friends.
I can say that I feel a different person from the day one I started until now. I feel so much personal grow from the experience.
It was a very homely environment, amazing and helpful host, and accommodation where clean and sanitary.
I highly recommend to everyone who wants to volunteer through VAGT and the team are extremely helpful and everything is very detailed and explained, and you can feel safe.