ISV - Volunteer Projects in South Africa

This was the first trip I have ever been on, but I can tell that it will definitely one of my most treasured memories. To start: the staff provided by ISV are amazing! They are always positive and read to go!
This program is split into two parts: a volunteer portion and an adventure tour. The volunteering portion though, for me, was just as enjoyable as the adventure tour. The volunteer portion was comprised of habitat assessments and visiting a local school to educate students on the importance of their environment and taking care of it. These kids are amazing, extremely enthusiastic about learning.
Our group was also informed about issues that are problematic in South Africa. For instance, we learned about there being TOO MANY elephants. This is just one of the many things we learned.
The day-to-day activities wouldn't have been complete without the breathtaking scenery; each early morning was a treat, with the sun rising from behind the mountain and its heat beginning to warm the day (it was actually cold in the mornings 1-4 degrees C where we were). Honestly, I could go on further about the volunteer portion, but you have probably gotten board of hearing about mountains and cold weather and such.
The adventure tour was.... honestly I don't have the words to do it justice. This was the best time of my life. Every day has you doing something that may be outside of your comfort zone, but it is all 100% worth it. During the adventure tour we traveled from SA to Swaziland, to Mozambique.
Writing this, looking back on this trip, I recommend every person take a trip like this in their lifetime. The animals, the food, the culture, the scenery, the adrenaline rushes; these are things you will keep with you forever. However, I know this trip wouldn't have meant as much to me without the people who I embarked on this trip with. Over the course of the month they became more than just acquaintances, they become your closest friends.

TLTR? I understand. So, in the words of Shia Labeouf: "JUST DO IT!!"

This was my second time traveling with ISV. I chose them for a second time since I didn't feel comfortable traveling to South Africa without a group, for safety reasons. We also went to Swaziland and Mozambique for the adventure part of our tour. I got to volunteer on a cheetah reserve, which was amazing. We also helped out with other animals on the ranch, in rehabilitation and mating. It was a unique experience since we did many different aspects of the care that happens on a daily basis. The best part was we actually lived on the ranch, which meant on walks we would often see giraffes and impalas. The travel/adventure part was also amazing, we got to: cliff jump, repel down a cliff, go white water rafting, scuba-diving, visit an orphanage and of course go on safaris :) I fell in love with South Africa.

ISV provided a sensory-exploding experience for me in South Africa. From building a school, to playing with children, to picking up trash, to going on a safari and feeding elephants, I was overwhelmed in the best ways possible. ISV challenges you, encourages you, and then changes you. I can't imagine re-creating a better trip; it was truly one for the soul.

I know traveling is expensive, but with ISV almost everything is included in the cost when you get to your host country! There are so many adventure activities and traveling packed into that short month that you will be glad you spent every penny! I know its cliche, but i genuinely had the time of my life and i cant wait for my next adventure with ISV!

I am so thankful that ISV came to my University to recruit students. I fell in love the moment I went to the informational meeting. When I found out I was going to South Africa summer of 2015, I was more than ecstatic! It was truly the best decision I have made in my life so far! I met so many wonderful people from across the world. My volunteer group was fun and outgoing. It was so easy to connect with everybody and create a lifelong friendship. My volunteer leader and the project leaders were more than amazing. I learned so much from every one of them. They were such wonderful people which made them some of my new role models. They care about everything and put your safety and fun first. Leaving my volunteer project was so hard. I did not think leaving people I met after two weeks would be so hard. They really changed my life. Then I got to go on a two week adventure tour. My tour leader was awesome! He was so fun, outgoing and hilarious. We could really relate to him and bonded with him immediately. He made all of our adventures great! I got to go cliff jumping in Blyde River canyon (which was beautiful), crawl through caves in Swaziland, shop at local markets. Help donate food and toys to an orphanage in Swaziland then playing with the kids. Swam with wild dolphins in Mozambique, and even scuba dive with out a licence through a great beginners program called "back to basics." We traveled a lot over our adventure tour (3 countries) and we got to meet so many wonderful people and see breathe taking sites! Every day I miss Africa. I would go back in a heart beat and I would go with ISV again. They are an amazing program that opened my eyes and helped me learn and grow. I would highly recommend them!

This was the most amazing experience of my life! I had travelled outside of the US before but only to close places, Mexico and Canada. This was my first real international flight, and first time flying anywhere by myself. Africa is my second home because of this trip. I met so many amazing people, eager for my return, so many awesome animals that I miss dearly, and have memories to last a lifetime. I hope to go back someday soon! Hopefully I will have the money to go back soon, I can't wait to explore more of Africa, and even more of the world! Travelling is one of my favourite activities.

Part of my adventure tour was the awesome opportunity to go into the Indian Ocean in order to find dolphins to snorkel with. Sadly, I sprained my ankle a few days prior to this, but I decided not to let that stop me. I was carried to the boat, and it was a bumpy ride. It was a mix of one of the most painful/awesome experiences of my life. It was hard to swim, but the dolphins were amazing.

This program absolutely changed my life. I loved every minute of it, and despite the fact that I went on this program several years ago, I have stayed in touch with many of the girls I met during the program from around the world. From meeting and working alongside local men and women, to petting elephants and lions, seeing some absolutely gorgeous scenery and traveling all across Southern Africa, this is not an experience that I would trade for anything. I have traveled many places in the years after I was in this program, but Southern Africa will always hold a special place in my heart and I will be back one day. If anyone has the opportunity to go on this tour, I strongly suggest you grab the opportunity and run with it! You will not regret it.