Location
Multiple Locations +7
  • Spain
    • Tenerife
  • South Africa
    • Limpopo
  • Nepal
    • Pokhara
    • Pokhara
  • Greece
  • Thailand
  • Mexico
  • Costa Rica
Length
1 - 4 weeks

Program Details

Housing
Dormitory Host Family
Language
English
Age Max
18

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Nov 02, 2023
Sep 23, 2023
68 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 to gain first-hand experience in cultural immersion, marine and wildlife conservation, and community development. This is a great way to become a global citizen with a better understanding of social and environmental issues. It’s also a gateway to improving your future education and employment opportunities, as you will acquire soft and hard skills in your chosen GVI focus.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive in oceans of Greece, explore the jungles of Costa Rica, or the breathtaking sunset in Nepal, all while contributing to ethical impact, this is for you. This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices, and cultural customs. Each project is aimed at reaching sustainable objectives that align with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Improve your education and employment opportunities with practical skill development in cross-cultural communication, marine and wildlife conservation, and community development.
  • Have an opportunity to receive the University Award by ASDAN, for participating in a GVI teen program.
  • Expand your knowledge and experiences of coastal Tennerife, biodiverse Costa Rica, breathtaking Nepal and limestone isleted Thailand.
  • Contribute to the 17 UN SDGs, and learn about ethical volunteering and impact.
  • Become more familiar with global issues collectively affecting the environment, community and wildlife while also making friends with like-minded teens from around the world.

Popular Programs

Teen volunteers

Join fellow teens in Tenerife to conserve whales and dolphins. Explore marine biology, tackle conservation issues, and make a real impact. As a group, you’ll explore this tropical paradise, from hiking its unique landscapes to relaxing on beautiful beaches.

Teen volunteers trekking in Nepal

Join us in Nepal for an amazing adventure! Help improve education facilities in Pokhara by improving education facilities in Pokhara by building desks and installing water tanks. As a group, you’ll explore temples, take a cooking class, and embark on a thrilling Himalayan trek with your newfound friends. It's all about making an impact and having fun.

Volunteer with turtle in Thailand

Join us in southern Thailand for a thrilling adventure with a purpose! Contribute to UN Development Goals, volunteer at a sea turtle conservation centre, clean beaches and renovate schools. Then, explore waterfalls, kayak through mangroves, hike mountains and visit temples.

Volunteers in the jungle Costa Rica

Join our team in Costa Rica and make a real impact on education. You'll help construct and renovate local classrooms and mentor primary school students in English. But it's not all work! Enjoy the stunning beaches of Puerto Viejo de Limón, hike through Turrialba National Park, and snorkel in crystal-clear waters.

Program Reviews

4.53 Rating
based on 17 reviews
  • 5 rating 88.24%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 11.76%
  • Growth 4.55
  • Support 4.5
  • Fun 4.5
  • Housing 4.4
  • Safety 4.5
Showing 1 - 8 of 17 reviews
Default avatar
Raphaelle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I love GVI

I loved my time with GVI. I was volunteering in Costa Rica for the environment and the people. I felt safe and welcomed. I learned so much about life their and the environment. I even got to see a baby turtle. I was taken cared of at all times, even when my bag didn't arrive with me to Costa Rica, GVI did everything to get it to me even when we were 6 hours away from the airport. It was such an eye opening experience. I would 100% recommend doing this, it teaches you so much about Costa Rica and the impact of the environment on turtes.

181 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Raphaelle!

Thanks very much for providing us with such positive feedback! I'm really glad that you enjoyed your time with us in Costa Rica; it's a special place and I'm happy to hear that you got involved with all that our program there has to offer.

Hope to see you on another program soon!

Josh (GVI Outreach Team)

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

GVI Costa Rica

The GVI experience is one I wish everybody had the chance to have! The staff are so kind and welcoming. The activities are challenging and fulfilling, but still fun. I personally went on GVI Costa Rica, which was a great trip. You really get to know the locals and the meaning of the work you are doing. It is truly an eye opening experience. You get to meet o many people, from a wide range of places, which is really nice. It opens your eyes to more than just Costa Rica’s culture, but you get to learn about culture form all over the world as well.

Pros
  • Eye opening experience
  • Unique opportunity
  • Meeting lots of new and interesting people!
Cons
  • Lots of bugs
  • Very hot ( no AC )
  • Sharing space
211 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing experience!

I just recently returned from my two-week U18s volunteering trip to Thailand with GVI, and it was an unforgettable experience! Not only did I get to explore the beautiful country and immerse myself in the rich culture and history, but I also made some lifelong friends and learned important lessons which I will take with me into life. I was so impressed with how well-organised the trip was, with great accommodation, delicious food, and plenty of fun activities. Overall, it was an incredible opportunity to "give back" while having an unforgettable adventure and making lasting friendships. I highly recommend volunteering with GVI!

Pros
  • Incredible housing/accommodation
  • Big group of people your age, all friendly
  • Well organised trip and helpful staff
Cons
  • Food provided can be a bit repetitive
225 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Olivia!

Thank you for your review. It's amazing to hear the friendships and connections you've formed during your experience. I'm also glad to hear that you've learned so much while having so much fun!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Mia Aroha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Eye-opening, educational, and inspiring!

The program was perfectly planned to include activities which both challenged and energised us as teenagers keen to explore Thailand and give back to the community. The staff were absolutely amazing at keeping our safety and well-being protected, while always bringing fun and laughter to our days. The experience definitely would not have been the same without them, so shoutout to Georgia, Sofia, and Jiyad! Some of the activities we took part in, I never could have dreamed of doing; from caring for sea turtles, swimming in waterfalls, kayaking through mangrove forests, and bamboo-rafting, we definitely made memories which will last forever. As well as once-in-a-lifetime experiences, we were also educated on some of the implications of volunteering. The staff made sure to keep us informed with presentations covering the ethics of animals in captivity. I have total faith that GVI are an organisation which genuinely do care for both the environment and the community, and I felt reassured that the work we were doing did have a positive impact.

Pros
  • Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities
  • Learning about conservation and the importance of ethical volunteering
  • Travelling Thailand with a group of like-minded teens
257 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Mia,

Thanks for your detailed and positive feedback! I'm really glad that you enjoyed your time with us in Thailand and that you made lifelong memories: the activities you took part in - alongside your program - sound like great fun! The local communities and environments within which we operate are of the utmost importance to us, and I'm really glad that that was obvious too.

Hope to see you on another program soon.

All the best,
Tiffany (Outreach Team)

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

An Incredible Time

During my recent trip to Costa Rica I had the pleasure of interacting with three of GVI’s finest. The experience began with a friendly welcome at the airport and the following two weeks were increasingly wonderful. The whole time I felt safe in the country. From first aid assistance to communications in Spanish, all the bases were covered. The first week was a rewarding five days of sweat and smiles. GVI ensured everyone was happy and healthy while we worked on the project. The second week… where do I start. The most blissful week I can recall. The activities, people, and sights were incredible. All in all, these two weeks were undoubtedly amazing and life altering. Thank you GVI.

Pros
  • Great energy
  • A safe was to adventure in the country
  • Giving back to the community
333 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Sarah!

I love that you felt supported throughout your experience and that it was so impactful. I'm also glad that you enjoyed the activities and got to connect with the people around you! Thank you for taking the time to give us such a lovely review.

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

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

GVI U18 Tenerife Program

I did the GVI Tenerife U18 program for marine conservation and I genuinely had the experience of a lifetime. It was two weeks of immersing into marine life, conservation and GVI's mission. Being in the U18 group, you also get to experience the island's culture, such as visiting Teide, surfing and going snorkeling. At the same time, you are able to get field experience by going out into the boats, collecting data on the cetaceans we viewed, and doing fin identification as a group when we got back. We helped clean the beaches we were near, and entered our collections into data. This combination of both fun and also serious scientific study is what makes GVI so appealing and perfect for teenagers to also become involved in helping the environment. I think we all have lost a bit of hope when it comes to protecting our planet, but GVI helped reconstruct it for me, and the lessons I learned there have helped me take small steps in assisting the environment from home. You also make the friendships of a lifetime. I can't wait to do it again next summer, and hopefully become a core group volunteer.

392 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Elektra,

Thank you for your lovely review!

It is so amazing to hear that you had such an amazing experience with us on base and got the opportunity to explore the island's culture. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. It is so great to hear that you have taken the skills you learned and you are implementing them in your community.

We would love to see you back on base, in Tenerife or somewhere else, soon!

Default avatar
Steven
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Terrible

I have waited a few weeks before posting this review to allow the dust to settle and also to give GVI time to respond to my direct emails with them. The response I have had from GVI has been wholly unsatisfactory and I hope that parents read this and think carefully before booking with GVI and sending their children abroad with this company.

Pre Trip

Beware… When signing up you will receive mountains of paperwork to complete. Immigration forms, numerous T&C’s, doctors forms, solicitors forms, police checks, references, covid passes etc etc.
I am sure most of this is necessary but GVI could streamline this somewhat, instead they just throw it at you and to make it worse communication with them once the booking and PAYMENT has been made is non-existent, this leaves parents panicking that something may be missing or filled out incorrectly as the trip approaches.

We were also blatantly lied to by GVI.
We specifically asked would there be any add-ons/extras once the trip is paid for, the verbal response was that apart from the flight was NO. This is incorrect….
You will need to pay for a private medical note from a GP, you will need a solicitor to fill in a Notary form (at least £100). We were booked on a diving trip and to all the parents amazement it only comes to light when booked that we need to supply the majority of the diving equipment. All of the wetsuits & masks etc as well dive watches & maker buoys have to be purchased in advance and taken on the trip. It would be much more environmentally friendly if this could be hired/borrowed whilst on the trip as is usually the case when diving abroad. What made it worse that some items weren't even required or used, such as the marker buoys or the expensive diving watch. These didn't even make it out of the box!!

During the trip.
After the hassle and never ending expense we never the less sent our sons in the hope that they got out of the trip what was promised… Not the case.
The trip quickly turned into a farce, it transpires that the majority of the staff in Mexico were themselves just volunteers, I believe they offer some of the adult GVI participants free board etc to assist in looking after the teenage group. These volunteers had absolutely no experience or qualifications in looking after younger people, they couldn't be bothered and some of them became quite threatening. At one stage we were getting reports home and were worried for the safety of our children. Thankfully some of the staff decided to walk out and this was a relief, they were obviously not suitable and we were worried that something terrible could happen.

When getting to Mexico the group were amazed that they were then confined to the compound for large parts of the day, after an hour or two of the so-called activities they were just expected to sit on their beds all day in something similar to “House Arrest”. The whole trip was in then danger of disintegrating, the group were contacting home complaining of the situation and GVI contacted the parents admitting that there were issues and gave a load of spurious excuses.

In the end they didn't do half of what was promised and it certainly wasn't the marine conservation/ diving trip we all paid a lot of money for. It turned into a beach holiday with a bit of diving thrown in!! The group enjoyed each others company and got the most out of it that they could but many things like coral monitoring/conservation & beach cleaning were non existent, they were meant be there to volunteer but not one volunteering duty was undertaken.

When they got home we were waiting for an in-depth email & post mortem from GVI perhaps explaining what happened and some admission of fault..Perhaps even an expected partial refund, instead they just went silent.

I then emailed GVI and their response was appalling. They choose to respond in a very legalistic manor and not apologetic at all, of course they quote various T&C’s, its probably why they bamboozle you with paperwork when booking.

On the trip itself they basically blamed the participants for the lack of coral research they said the group couldn't be trusted....Incredible!! Lots of parents & group met at the airport and you couldn't wish to meet a nicer bunch of pleasant and well educated young people, some of the group were even studying marine biology so to insult us and treat the group who had paid an awful lot of money for the trip with such disdain tells you a lot about GVI.

The response from GVI has led me to the opinion that they are bordering on being a “Rogue Company”. I wouldn't be surprised if they are in financial troubles, they obviously severely cut back on what was promised and what we paid for. It has now only come to my attention that there are groups of people not just from this trip but many others that are considering legal action against GVI for various reasons..
As the company is based in South Africa remember that they are not covered by ATOL or ABTA, if they fold you will loose your money.

Think twice.

Pros
  • Meet new people
Cons
  • Terrible company
390 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi there,

I am really sorry to hear that this was your experience. We place a huge emphasis on participants' experience with us, and as such, take all feedback very seriously.

Our team has conducted a full review of this situation and has responded in line with the terms agreed to when booking. However, if you are willing, please email this feedback to me at amanda.stone@gviprograms.com and I will personally ensure that your feedback on how we can improve is implemented where possible.

As an organisation, we are committed to our participants, staff and the communities we support across the globe. Our decisions are always based on taking all stakeholders into consideration.

Thank you again for your honest feedback, and I am sorry that your recent experience did not meet your expectations. We appreciate it and are taking it into consideration moving forward.

Amanda (Head of Alumni services - Global)

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

Experience of a Lifetime!!

In the summer of 2017, I participated in the construction volunteer program based in Pokhara, Nepal and had an enlightening experience. From the moment that GVI Nepal representatives met us at the airport in Pokhara, I felt safe. This stood out to me mainly because when first looking for volunteer organizations I read that: "GVI's number one priority is safety". This was reassuring and true throughout my time in Nepal, thousands of miles away from my home.
One of my favorite aspects of the program was that it was structured. Each day we had an agenda that the GVI representatives and our team had come up with based on respect for the community and environment we worked in. GVI's influence in the town we visited was not abrasive or controlling, nor was there any savior mentality attached to the work our group was doing. In no way did working for GVI feel like a mission trip, and that's what I valued the most about my experience. I knew that working with GVI was promoting a long term sustainable development project, that relied very heavily on communication and collaboration with the community where projects were centered.
Every day was a new adventure. Our project lasted for roughly two weeks renovating a government school. When we first started, the classrooms had old paint jobs, huge spider webs (and kind of enormous spiders!) on the walls, cockroaches on the floors, and most of the benches designed for students to sit on were broken. We painted all the walls of the classrooms, deeply swept and washed all of the walls and floors. Some of the adults in our team worked on fixing the seats. Throughout each day on the project, I became much closer to my team. I formed lifelong friendships and relationships that I value and maintain today.
I fell in love with the parts of Nepal that I was exposed to. The rooftop of the hotel we stayed at felt like a second home, the endless fields of glimmering rice paddies along all of the roads, the delicious vegetarian meals, the kind greetings we received everywhere we went, the luminous mountains you could see from anywhere.
Participating in this program through GVI allowed me to experience Nepal safely, respectfully and mindfully. After this trip, my view on global travel drastically changed. Our GVI representatives emphasized the importance of respectful visitation and having a constant awareness of your impact with a person, environment, or community as a whole.
I am so grateful for having the opportunity to spend time in Nepal and learn about Nepali culture while experiencing some aspects first hand. Going to Nepal and experiencing its intense beauty lit a fire inside of me. Through this volunteer trip with GVI, I learned a lot about my passions and future career ideas. So much so that I registered for another program for a longer duration of time, teaching in Nepal this summer.
Overall this was an incredible experience with no bumps or mishaps. To anyone looking for a safe, responsible way to volunteer abroad, I would highly recommend GVI. GVI is also a credible organization that has helped build my resume. This was later an added bonus to volunteering through GVI.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most common dish in Nepal is called Dal Bhat. It usually consists of rice, some sort of pickled veggies, some lentil curry, some curried potatoes and various other assortments of hard-to-identify foods. This dish is traditionally eaten with your hands, throughout my trip I gathered that there was definitely a technique in not dropping all of the rice picked up with your hands.
434 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Taylor, thanks for your great review! I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. Please do keep on spreading your love for GVI. And obviously, we would love to see you back on base soon!

Questions & Answers

It is actually not necessary to speak the language of the country you are going to, all programs will feature guides in English. If you desire to speak the language, there will be lots of opportunities to practice and learn.