GVI, Ethical Impact: Internships in Mexico

I had no expectations! The only thing I did know, was that I would be living under very primitive conditions in a jungle and doing research diving. What’s not to like? 
Basically, I came for the diving, but I left with so much more! I was really inspired by living and working closely with people from so many different cultures and backgrounds who all shared the same passion for protecting the environment.
We were diving twice a day, studying fish and corals, learning about aquatic life, spotting birds, collecting trash on the beach and working hard in order to make the base run smoothly.
The GVI staff taught me so much, they’re working so hard with such great passion. 
Everybody on base was family, we shared everything, especially many great experiences.
I would like to encourage everybody to go help out, to save the coral reefs before it's too late and we loose them forever! 
Have you ever dived with a whale shark? Have you ever helped a baby turtle to safely reach the ocean? Have you ever tried to make a difference for the natural world surrounding us?
- It’s never too late and I’m sure GVI will gladly help you!

My decision to go to Mexico was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I wanted to gain experience of community development in order to be able to work within the charity sector in the UK. By doing this 24 week program, I not only got the volunteer experience I needed but so much more. Once I had completed my 12 weeks volunteer phase, I had helped to teach children English, inform them about the environment, helped with different types of physical therapies and helped out within a spay and neuter clinic. I also received training on leadership and other very useful skills. During the final 12 weeks, I became an intern member of staff and I got the opportunity to help with volunteer management, support staff with administration and help with program related activities. As well as this, having the opportunity to live abroad and experience another culture and learn a new language was a great bonus. If you are thinking about how to go about having an experience abroad I would highly recommend this program.

This was a life changing experience. From the travel and adventure, to the friends I made along the way, I wouldn't change a thing. This experience truly changed my perspective and expectations for the world, and I leave with life long friends! While, the housing was sometimes quite rustic, you quickly saw past it to the beauty all around you. The diving was amazing, the friends were amazing, and the adventures were everything. Truly, changed my life at its core. 100% recommend.

Mexico was the most amazing trip I have ever done in my life. To be a part of something really important and hard working program is really inspiring and you grow a lot as person. To able to dive everday and live your days on a beautiful beach next to a crystal clear water, that is life. Not only is it an amazing experience, but you meet people from all around the world, that you will be friends with for the rest of your life.
I would glady go back.

This trip was the greatest thing I have ever done. The Different setting, culture, and daily activites was something everyone should experience, it definitly changed me for the better. The staff and the volunteers were amazing characters I miss them and what they could contribute to my day to day life. The weather was a bit of an irregularity and slowed things for us sometimes and was definitely frustrating at times, but I greatly enjoyed the schenanigans we got into whilst it was raining.
The reason I went here was to make sure that this was a field I wanted to pursue as a career and it no doubt cemented the decision