International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

My IVHQ program in Romania was an amazing experience. While the program was located in a small town in Romania, Hungarians made up most of the population, so this was the primary language of the area. We were able to experience everyday life, and had the chance to meet locals through the weekly English conversation groups.

For my placement I was in the Special Needs program, which was a short walk from the volunteer accommodation. This program serves young adults, and helps them with tasks such as cooking, household chores, and language development. There was also other fun activities like a weekly dance class. All the clients received a weekly physical therapy session, and since I am a licensed physical therapist in the US, I was able to provide PT services, which was my motivation in volunteering. Everyone at this day program, with the exception of a few program leaders, spoke only Hungarian. While this was a little discouraging/difficult at first, it did not prevent me from assisting with daily tasks or providing PT services.

As for the volunteer accommodation, the apartment was very clean, and all the volunteers quickly connected, making it a welcoming environment. The accommodation is located on the main street of the town, and just about everything is walkable, including the train station.

The local staff was always available and joined us in events such as bowling, socializing at restaurants, and weekly group dinners. I highly recommend this program.

I really wanted to start volunteering and didn't know how to go about it. To try and find a good program and company that I could do it through was challenging. I had heard through a friend that a few years ago she had Volunteered through IVHQ and even after looking them up and reading the amazing reviews, I was still a little hesitant.
My volunteer program was in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) and it was nothing short but amazing.
Helping out with children who had disabilities and providing them support every single day for 2 weeks was such a rewarding experience. Just to see the smile you put on their faces was more than enough.
I've met some amazing people and have made new friends through this experience!!

I have to say that I had a very special experience in Nepal with IVHQ! Everyone is very supportive and friendly there, and I would definitely like to volunteer with IVHQ again! My project was childcare in Pokhara. There was another girl in my project. Both of us found this project amazing! We stayed with these kids during their school days, and these kids are so lovely and cute! This was definitely a valuable and memorable trip!

My experience with IVHQ for my trip to Nepal for childcare was nothing but positive. Being my first trip out of the USA, I had no clue what to expect. Before my journey began, IVHQ made me feel prepared and confident for my upcoming trip. The coordinators in Nepal made me feel right at home and I always felt like I had plenty of resources to help guide me in country. The program itself was an experience that I will never forget. The children I worked with and the women that care for them daily left a huge mark on my heart. IVHQ made my first volunteer abroad trip an easy, safe, and rewarding experience!

My experience with IVHQ and Serve the City was great. The support I got from both IVHQ members and the STC team was so great. The preparation for the trip was very helpful and great.
I had been a little skeptical as well as hesitant because I had never traveled on my own before, but a lot of that was taken away the first day I arrived at Brussels. I was met with a team member and he showed me to ropes to traveling around via the metro system there and that was super helpful.
I was able to connect with the other IVHQers I met in Brussels and that made the trip so much better as well. We got to see a lot of the city and I definitely did not think the STC team asked too much of us.