Program Reviews

I will never forget the bus driver pulling to the side of the road so we could see a sloth that had been helped into a tree on the other side. We were so excited because we didn't get to see one during our nature walk. The sloth was one of the coolest things I got to see and definitely one of my favorite pictures. I loved learning more about the sloth after seeing it. Did you know that sloth's cannot support their body weight unless they are hanging? They also can't reach backwards so the person that helped the sloth into the tree was able to carry it by its back and remained untouched it's sharp claws.

I cannot begin to tell you how much my program with ISV has impacted my life. I learned so much about the planet, the culture and history of New Zealand, responsible travel and most importantly, myself. This is not just a volunteer trip. It is an opportunity to experience something amazing that will transform you as a person.

Not only was the educational experience and program content phenomenal, but the logistics and support from ISV staff was beyond satisfactory. Office staff in California was always there if I needed something or if I needed help. Everything from documents to flights to payment was centralized from the California headquarters so it made the entire process smooth and simple. Not to mention, every time I called the office, I spoke with an actual HUMAN. This meant so much to me considering it was my first time abroad.

ISV is a wonderful organization. The passion and commitment ISV has to make the world a better place surpassed all of my expectations.

Thank you ISV. I am a better person because of you.

Traveling though isv was a worthwhile experience. Because it was my very first trip abroad, I wasn't sure what to expect. The isv team and my fellow volunteers, along with the thrilling outdoor adventures and the rewarding volunteer opportunities, made it an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend isv student volunteering trips to anyone looking to travel abroad, have outdoor adventures in beautiful countries, to engage in nature conservation activities, and to form lasting friendships.

This summer I went to South Africa with ISV. It was the first time I have ever left the country and it was the most terrifying and amazing thing I have ever done in my life! I was scared and worried about being in another country with people I didn't know, but all that anxiety went away after meeting my project leader and my fellow volunteers. By the next day I'd already felt at home. I still find myself missing the sounds of the birds on our early mornings, everyone laughing around the campfire, and even the cow bells down the road at night.

I got to experience what life is like out in the South African bush. It's amazing, breathtaking, and sometimes can even take you out of your comfort zone, but it's worth it. Every moment from those freezing cold mornings to those happy grinning faces of the kids was worth it all.

I did things I never thought I could do in my life. I freaked out about baboons, bartered with South African market men, pet a cheetah and a leopard, hugged an elephant, jumped off a cliff into freezing cold water, and even scuba dived with a shark!

South Africa changed my view of the world. It used to be small but now it's sooo big! I would go back in a heart beat but I think my exploring has just begun. South Africa has given me just a taste of what the world has to offer and I want to thank ISV for taking me there!

South Africa was a life-changing experience. When we first got there, we were introduced to each other and our guides, and briefed on the schedule for the coming weeks. I immediately made several friends (from all over the world with whom I still have contact) and bonded with our amazing team of leaders who genuinely cared about all of the participants. I learned a ton about environment sustainability while out in the field collecting research, group discussions, and documentary films we watched together in the evenings. If I could, I would do it all over again!

ISV was such a great program to be apart of. Administratively, they were always available to contact and were super useful to help with the questions. The program leaders were fun to be around and were very helpful. The experience as whole has showed me happiness comes from the smallest moments and not the material aspect of living in America. Being able to adapt to the culture and learn a culture that is not very known was an experience only few people get in their lifetime. If I could I would go back and make a bigger impact. It really helped me decide on my future career and life goals. ISV as a whole is such a huge impact and letting students to be able to enjoy and be part of this experience is one in a lifetime. Swimming with dolphins, playing soccer with the kids at the school and frisbee on the beach was something I could never describe to anyone.

My volunteer project was based in the Masebe wildlife reserve. The first thing you need to know is, it's literally in the middle of no where. There are no shops, no internet, no phone service, no tvs - nothing. It was like stepping into a whole other world. A world I very quickly began to enjoy. In the morning we rose early to begin our volunteer activities: bird-counts, habitat assessments and visiting the local villages. All of the work we completed was done outside, in the sun and the fresh air. In the nature itself. One morning, my group had gone out to complete the bird count for that day; we were all very silent, listening to the different chirps and whistles of the local birds when suddenly we heard a twig snap about 20 ft from where we were standing. Standard horror movie stuff. Then came the sounds of feet on ground, and heavy breathing. The sounds were coming from no farther than 10 ft now. We didn't know what was going to come out and eat us, being in the middle of a reserve and all. Just when some of us were preparing to make a break for it, a herd of zebra come quietly out from behind the trees. ZEBRA. I can't put into words how exhilarating it is to come that close to such beautiful wild animals. We also encountered baboons, grey monkeys, giraffe, scorpions, impala, warthog, eagles and so many other amazing creatures. One time a rogue baboon actually managed to break into our camp. I've got to say, exiting the bathroom to find a fully-grown male baboon standing right outside the door was something I'll never forget.

The adventure tour was also amazing. Kloofing (the african word for canyoning) was definitely my favourite activity. It's basically 'following the river wherever it takes you'. And yes that includes off the side of cliffs and under waterfalls. Very adrenaline fuelled. Snorkelling alongside Manta-rays in the Indian ocean during our time in Mozambique was also another awesome experience. Oh and caving! Honestly, that was probably the most terrifying thing I have ever accomplished but it was so worth it. I'm pretty claustrophobic, so if you are too and you're considering not going for that reason, don't worry! The instructors were very helpful and reassured me several times that the caves were perfectly safe. P.s. Don't watch the movie 'The Descent' like the majority of us had before going underground.

Basically, the whole trip was probably the greatest experience of my life. I met sooo many people, and made friends I hope will last a lifetime. The experiences I have had have definitely changed me. My whole outlook on life has being widened. The program has made me want to see the rest of the world. I returned home a much happier and grateful person. I hope I can take part in more programs like this in the future. If you're hesitating on whether or not to go, just go for it. Trust me, you will not regret it.

This was by far the best experience I've ever had. I got to work with elephants hand-on. We took walks, gave them baths, feed them, and learned a lot about them and about animals in the tourist industry. It was my first time in a different country and ISV helped me feel safe and prepared. I was worried about funds, but they offered solutions to help with fundraising. Overall, it was the best experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

ISV was the best 4 weeks of my life, every day was a new adventure. I did wildlife programme in South Africa. You really make a difference when you're over there but you also have time for fun. We worked hard and made a real difference doing maintenance work but also got to help out on cheetah feeding rounds and spend time with the cheetahs. The staff and project leaders were awesome and become a second family and you make some life long friends.
The adventure tour is also not to be missed; safaris, scuba diving, swimming with dolhpins, cultural villages and lots and lots of fun!
This trip is defintely worth it you will have a great time and it's an amazing experience!

During my six weeks in Southern Africa with ISV I encountered so many different people, places, experiences. Learned so many different things, found myself in the process and ended up making some of the best friends Ive ever known! The memories and stories could go on for days, as everyday we pushed head first into a new adventure; from taking care of baby cheetah's, to diving with whales, eating a braai outside in the sand surrounded by friends and funny stories! To walking with elephants and hearing lions roar from our outside tent, to holding an orphan and donating money to buy them food. Diving into the unknown by going on a caving expedition and free jumping into waterfalls, eagerly holding our binoculars to get a look at the Big 5 on both of our Safari's. Sitting back with friends made, eating, laughing, crying and having to say goodbye to some of the group that were only there for four weeks! To finding myself doing the unthinkable by bungee jumping off of Victoria Falls and feeling the wind on my face and the rush of the pounding water beneath me and rafting on some of the most extreme rapids. The stories are endless and cause so much longing whenever I fondly remember them. This trip wasn't just a chance for me to help make a conservation different in Africa, but the chance to grow, to learn and to see the world in a unique and special point of view. But my favorite memory of all, had to have been the remaining part of groups last night all together, we decided to do a boat cruise, we all sat around telling stories and eating great food! We coasted along the shores of the Zambezi River and watched as the sun set and the beautiful stars of the African sky come out. It got quiet as we all sat back and processed the amazing 6 weeks we had spent together that felt like we had just started the day before. As we coasted by the shores, we looked upon elephants with their little ones, money's flying from the trees, birds flying in the distance and took in the beautiful songs of the African wilderness. At that moment I could have agreed more with Ernest Hemingway when he said, "All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it yet, but when I would wake in the night, I would lie, listening, homesick for it already."