Program Reviews

This trip went above and beyond my expectations. I was a first-time out-of-the-country traveler, but I felt like I had been travelling for years because the trip was a fantastic blend of comradery, exploration, and excitement. Months after the end of our trip the memories we made are still fresh and I think about the trip everyday. For me, the work we did was profoundly personal and everything I learned while I was there has only stoked the fire in me that wants to make a difference in conservation around the world. The work we did was all encompassing, we helped both the environment and the community, as well as had oodles of fun. Such an amazing experience I think everyone should try to have.

The program has changed myself and my life in more ways than one. I spent a total of five weeks in Costa Rica learning, volunteering, and travelling. Every single minute I have spent there has been the best of my life. I have seen so much in such a short time in the beautiful country of Costa Rica! ISV's program was there for me every step of the way.

I loved the culture (music, language, etc) and all the different wildlife in the nature I cannot see in Wisconsin! During the volunteer portion, I stayed with a host family in a rain forest under a tree of toucans! With the optional two week adventure tour after the volunteer portion, I got to do so much and see a lot such as go surfing, ziplining, white-water rafting, and so much more!

All the different places I saw and people I have met have impacted my life in more ways than one whether it made me be more globally-minded, finding love, and more!

This was the first time I have travelled out of the country and ISV made me feel safe and secure every step of the way! ISV is an amazing program that will be with you every step of the way. It was absolutely life-changing!!!!

I absolutely cannot wait to go abroad again this summer when I study abroad in England!

Working as a volunteer through ISV this summer was hands down the best experience of my life. I met some life-long friendships, made experiences I'll never forget, and felt like I made a difference in the world. It sounds clichè but I feel like a new person once I was completed with my ISV tour. I would recommend to any traveler out there who wants to explore the world while making a difference.

Travelling with ISV was an incredible experience that I strongly believe, has changed my life.
I volunteered in South Africa with ISV in the summer of 2015 and ever since I came back, I would not stop talking about it. I miss the people that I met during my trip and I always remember the impact that we made while being there and also the extreme adventure touring we had.
I volunteered at a nature reserve in South Africa for wildlife conservation and biodiversity and also got to take part in environmental education by teaching at an elementary school. Working with kids and seeing their reactions towards us was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had and it was so much fun too!!
After the two weeks, we went adventure touring and also had the chance to visit two other countries (Mozambique and Swaziland)!!
Everyday during the adventure tour was an insane adrenaline rush! We got to swim with wild dolphins, interact with elephants and other wildlife and animal rehabilitation centres and also got to experience scuba diving, jumping off cliffs in canyons and seeing some of the best nature views this world has to offer. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interesting in not only changing their own life but also create an impact on the life of others!

I had an amazing experience with ISV and looking back, I would say has it definitely sparked my interest in travel, as I have travelled alone or with others every year since. Our 3 ISV group leaders were AMAZING as well as the program coordinator/bus driver/everything man! We spent two weeks doing environmental conversation (planting trees, weeding, monitoring local pests, track building) and I really liked getting my hands dirty! It was so interesting to learn about the Maori culture as well, that feels like a total privilege. We were welcomed to the local Maori community and learned about their history.

What initially drew my into this trip was the adventure tour especially since I am an adrenaline junkie. NZ is THE place for extreme sports from skydiving to bungy jumping to jet-boating. The black water rafting is such a unique and amazing experience. Thinking back though, I totally loved everything about this program. ISV is a great company because they really care about giving you the best learning opportunity possible as well as all the cool extras on the adventure tour. They will always make sure you have options if something is cancelled due to bad weather. They give you plenty of tips about where to go, but you don't always have to stick together as a group and are free to choose where you spend your free time, although they will always have suggestions for you and point you to the local tourist point for info. They encourage you to keep a journal, which you should definitely do throughout the whole stay. I did in detail and that was great because you don't remember all the interesting stuff you learn about the culture otherwise.

This experience has opened my eyes to different ways in which I can be involved in volunteering and also what concrete things I can do to play my part in helping the environment. Making us aware and helping us plan and apply sustainable development and responsible tourism was included in my ISV program. I made friends and I realized the importance of finding work that is meaningful to me. I will go back to New Zealand for sure, I would love to spend some time working there as well. This was a very new experience for me, as I tend to be somewhat reserved, but this trip is all about teamwork so I loved meeting people and I also loved the idea of doing something new and exciting everyday!

This was my first big trip abroad. Traveling to Thailand and working with elephants and people from all different backgrounds was a truly amazing experience. I can't put into words how much this trip impacted my life. I tried so many new things and immersed myself in a different culture. I left Thailand completely in love with traveling, I've gone to three other countries since!

This trip was something that made me learn so much. I learned things about myself and other people and the country i visited. It opened my eyes to so many things. I've made friends who wil forever be in my heart and changed my life.

My recent trip to Africa ignited my passion for traveling, and I don’t think this flame will ever die. What I discovered through traveling is that the world is a much more beautiful place than I had ever imagined. There are many places I have been to, from Costa Rica to Spain to Mexico. All of these places hold their own unique beauty, but my heart belongs to Africa. Much of what I had heard of Africa was true. Many of the houses are not what would be considered livable by an American standard. In a nearby village from where I was living, a lot of the homes had no running water. These aspects never astonished me; what did was the people. These people welcomed me like I was a long-lost friend. What shocked me about these people even more was the joy they emanated. Although they owned little, yet their happiness was immense. Even the orphans I met in Swaziland radiated this joy. Like a ray of light, these people lit up my world brighter than I had ever seen it.
The students I traveled with touched my heart as well. I am a shy person, but I made so many friends on this trip who I felt like I had known my whole life. They are what completed my trip and made it one I will never forget.
Lastly, the beauty of Africa is breathtaking. The landscape is a mixture of jagged mountains and sparkling waterfalls interspersed with vast grasslands. There's something magical about Africa that I cannot explain. It felt like I was living in a dream. I will never be the same after traveling the roads that our ancestors once walked upon. Africa is the cradle of mankind, and it is a beautiful place.

I traveled with ISV to a project they no longer have in Ecuador. I'm not sure why it's no longer available because it was absolutely fantastic! Six weeks of living with locals (including an Amazonian tribe), hiking volcanoes and white water rafting. I've never lived in such difficult circumstances or felt more rewarded for the work I do. We met up with members of the Costa Rica team for our last week in the Galapagos and just like our experience, they enjoyed a great time with fun, outgoing people. The main difference between our experiences was that Ecuador had only two teams and we all knew each other whereas Costa Rica had 14 so some only met each other for the first time in the Galapagos. ISV does a great job of connecting with a local organization to make sure your volunteer work is on a project that is actually needed rather than something that will be abandoned the instant you leave.

I was giving the opportunity to work with sea turtles through ISV. 7yrs later I am still in contact with several members of my volunteer team and went back to school to get my Master's Degree working with sea turtle in Costa Rica. Best experience ever!