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Location
  • British Virgin Islands
Project Types
Building Projects Service Learning Disaster Relief

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Summer
Groups
Small Group (1-15)

Pricing

Starting Price
5120
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare
Feb 03, 2020
Dec 05, 2019
Wish List
16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

A small archipelago in the heart of the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Irma in the fall of 2017. Few people get to see this place beyond its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters but you’ll spend 2-3 weeks working directly with the local population to rebuild the communities left bruised by the storm. This special land-based program is a brand new journey that allows students to respond directly to local needs and show the people of the Caribbean that they have not been forgotten.

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VISIONS: British Virgin Islands High School Service Program

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 3 reviews
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  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.7
Good for Students
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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Alden
22
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Trip!

Dec 5, 2019

Although I signed up for GoBeyond on a whim, it ended up being one of the best and most impactful experiences! Beyond all the really cool and once in a life time activities, you have the opportunity to learn so much about the environment around you and leave feeling inspired to work toward solutions to the threat of climate change. Additionally, GoBeyond emphasizes the trip as an opportunity to be the best version of yourself. Consequently, not only around you surrounded by others who are working to be their best but it was a great opportunity to reflect upon your priorities in life and all you have to appreciate. Finally, I made some amazing friendships with other students and with staff that even now, months later, I am in contact with.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers would be to embrace all that comes your way and take full advantage of every opportunity.
67 people found this review helpful.
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My whole boat hanging out after a long day of activities
Group picture of my group, that lived together for three weeks
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Josie
21
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Camp Ever

Sep 12, 2019

The experiences I have had at Go Beyond are like no other. The staff are some of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever met. I have created so many different friendships that I know I will have forever. The British Virgin Islands feel like a second home to me. I have been to almost every island, getting to see the different activities and vibes of them. The trip is 21 days long and each day has a different objective. No matter what the task is, you have an amazing time. My favorite project that I have been able to do, is cleaning up a park on West End Tortola. I helped to clean it up on the first year I went to Go Beyond. Going back the second year, it was amazing to see the progress that the other Go Beyond groups had made. Another one of my favorite projects was catching turtles on Anagada. During the trip I made friends that I will have forever. The bonds that the students and staff members have are like no other. Go Beyond helped me have some of the best experiences I have ever had!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Go Beyond allows students to interact with turtles in some pretty amazing ways. One style of catching turtles is called Rodeo Style. First, you and some of your friends get into a small dinghy and go look for turtles. Once you spot one you chase it around for a little while. When you are able to get close enough, someone from the boat dives onto the turtle and catches it. All of the turtles that are caught are used for research through a program called ARK. None of the turtles are harmed in the process. We let them go after we collect all of the research. This activity is super fun and it is crazy that Go Beyond gives the students the chance to do this.
63 people found this review helpful.
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A lot of the trip is about the marine life in the BVI. We take part in different types of research, like sea turtle catching, sea grass monitoring and mangrove monitoring.
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Michelle
59
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

16 Year Old Life Changing-Eye Opening Experience!

Sep 12, 2019

The whole process was very easy. The staff was very attentive and easy to contact. We had high hopes that the experience would be eye opening and engaging for Bryan. The experience exceeded our hopes. He LOVED the whole experience. The daily blog pictures showed him with huge genuine smiles which thrilled us. He was sad the trip was over and has kept in constant contact with all his shipmates from both boats. He has plans to raise money and go back next summer. Absolutely awesome! The hard work, experience of seeing various levels of habitat, helping those less fortunate, learning about the marine environment, learning how to sail and live on a boat. WOW! Bryan hopes to return next summer for another experience by working and saving his money!

What would you improve about this program?
Being able to tip the crew members! The staff on each boat is so talented, smart and awesome. I wish we had access to them to thank them and let them know the impact they each have on the kids and how amazing they are. I hope they understand their hard work and dedication to each session is so appreciated. Our son(s) really took away so much from the experiences because of the crews enthusiasm and dedication to the program. Thank you all!
72 people found this review helpful.
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Making a difference and making memories!

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

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

Elliot Evins

Program
GoBeyond BVI: Rebuilding Island Life
Job Title
Program Manager
Growing up in disparate parts of the United States, Elliot developed an appetite for travel and exploration at a young age. He fostered a passion for global service and socially responsible volunteering as a student with Global Expeditions Group during high school and university. This eventually brought him to a position leading programs in the same countries he originally experienced as a student.

Elliot holds professional certifications in sailing, field research, and wilderness medicine that allow him to provide his students with the same incredible experience and lessons our programs gave him. When not running summer programs in the BVI, China, Thailand, India, Costa Rica or Ecuador, Elliot splits his time between the Florida GXG headquarters and Denver, Colorado where he is currently pursuing a master's degree.
Elliot Evins

What is your favorite travel memory?

The majority of my operational time with GoBeyond was spent in the British Virgin Islands and over the years it really became a second home for me. After Hurricane Irma went through in September 2017, I had the opportunity to get into the territory and get a sense of what people were dealing with and how GoBeyond could best help leading up to and during summer 2018. It's amazing to see and participate in the community that forms in the wake of a disaster.

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

Working for GoBeyond during summers has been one of the most formative, challenging, and rewarding activities I've ever been a part of. I've been able to not only facilitate the growth of my students and the communities we work with but also grown myself. There is basically no limit to the growth a staff member can experience in these programs.

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

When students return for a second or third program, they often talk about having a great time on the program and gaining a lot from it but maintain a feeling that they had to return because they wanted to give more to the people and causes we work with.

GoBeyond programs fully immerse students in a global issue and provide an opportunity to help those trying to resolve it. It's not uncommon for students to identify with that issue, whether it's working with orphans in China or sea turtles in the BVI, and come back for another shot.

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

Although I spent most of my operational time with GoBeyond running the program in the BVI, the opportunity to run programs in Asia changed my life. The work we do in India is particularly impactful because it gives the students the opportunity to have an extended impact on one community bearing the weight of a global issue.

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

I think our company stands out in the field because of our relationships with partner organizations around the world. I genuinely believe that the people behind these groups are some of the most selfless and inspiring individuals I will ever meet. Their commitment to the issues their organizations address and the well-being and growth of GoBeyond students is an irreplaceable part of this program.

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

I think the biggest factor in being successful in this industry is maintaining a sense of responsibility to all stakeholders. Not only trying to maximize the experience of the students but also fostering the company's relationship with staff members, partner organizations, and vendors. So much of the success of these programs are placed in the hands of those people and keeping them happy as well as hearing their input is how the programs get better.

About GoBeyond Student Travel

Transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful cross-cultural service adventures. If you’re searching for something more than just a typical summer trip; if you want to travel with real purpose, then GoBeyond. We go beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural service adventures perfectly...

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