ISV (International Student Volunteers) Reviews

I don't think that I can even come close to describing my experience in Costa Rica with ISV. Just like everyone has said, it really is a life changing experience, and made for the best summer of my life. Although traveling around Costa Rica was a blast and a beautiful experience, nothing could compare to the actual volunteering. The people I met during my project made this trip amazing! My project leaders were phenomenal and so much fun, the volunteers became life-long friends, and the community made us all a family. This was an eye opening experience, that made me so grateful for what I have. I fell in love with Costa Rica and all the memories there. I would 110% recommend this to everyone!!!

Traveling to Australia through ISV was easily the best experience I've ever got to be a part of! From the moment we stepped off the plane in Brisbane, everyone we came across made us feel so welcomed in this new environment. My project leader was amazing, and our project hosts at Wild Mountains were some of the greatest, most passionate people I've ever met in my life. It was amazing to see the kind of impact we got to make on our world in those two short volunteer weeks. The adventure tour was also amazing! In the two weeks, I got to experience so many amazing adventures that most people won't even get to experience in their whole lifetime. From bungee jumping, to white water rafting, to abseling off the side of a mountain. ISV really helped me push myself out of my comfort zone and I couldn't be more grateful for the experiences and the people I got to meet while doing this once in a lifetime trip. Thanks ISV!!!

Traveling to South Africa and getting to spend a month working with animals and becoming immersed in the culture was unbelievable. I met some amazing people and the memories from this trip will last a lifetime. Bottle-feeding baby antelope, sitting by a watering hole for hours watching the wildlife, going on safaris, making friends, swimming with dolphins, cave exploring, spending the day with elephants, and going kaloofing are just a few of the awesome things we got to do on this trip. Coming home after being in Africa for a month has changed me forever in a positive way and my hope is that I can use these experiences to enlighten and encourage others to experience this for themselves.

Looking back at my experience in Costa Rica I have come to terms with the fact that this trip was truly the greatest time of my life. I met some incredible people and got to work with amazing creatures.

Participating in the ISV program was the greatest decision I have ever made. My country was Australia, and I was there between June 25, 2015-July 24, 2015. It was the best month of my life! My volunteer project was geared towards environmental conservation and sustainability. My volunteer group consisted of me and 11 girls from different states, along with various staff and crew members. The first 2 weeks of my trip were amazing; with my group members and the staff it felt like a family. All the work we completed was truly remarkable, and we had so much fun doing it! The second 2 weeks was the adventure tour, which consisted of 29 girls and 2 boys, plus our tour leader and bus driver. I did so much in those 2 weeks that most people haven't done in their entire life! I conquered my fears (repelling, water rafting, etc.) and did things I've always dreamed of doing (surfing, snorkeling,ocean rafting, etc.) Overall, the month I was in Australia felt like a dream, and I already want to go back! I made so many friends on the trip and so many memories! If you want to spend your summer doing something good, while also discovering who you are and partaking in amazing adventures, ISV is for you! I promise you won't regret your decision! I'm already planning on going back next summer to a different country. I cannot put into words how amazing of an experience you will have with ISV.

Going to New Zealand through International Student Volunteers was an experience like no other. I was able to work for two weeks on what I considered to be my own private island (because other than the people in my group, no other mammals were on the island). Each day we worked to improve the habitat for the endangered kiwi bird. We would collect, propagate, and plant native flora. I really felt like I could see my impact since we were able to contribute to every step of reforestation. Although there was a lot of hiking (or tramping as they might say in NZ) there is work that can be done for practically any fitness level. No foreign language skills are required, and I felt super safe throughout my time abroad making this volunteer trip perfect for any first time travelers (although I would recommend it to experienced travelers too because the scenic views are unbeatable!)

Furthermore, after the first two weeks of volunteering ISV offered a tour through New Zealand for the next two weeks. I did things I never would have dreamed of doing anywhere else. Some of my adventures included white water rafting, bungy jumping, Ogo ball riding, and, my personal favorite, black water rafting through glow worm caves!

All in all, I felt like I made a meaningful impact on the world when I traveled to New Zealand through ISV and I would recommend it to anyone who has an itch to travel.

ISV knows what they're doing. Everything this program did was centered around being Responsible tourists. They practice what they preach in every aspect of their plans. Even for a bathroom break on a long bus trip, they worked hard to support local businesses and those working to be green. They managed to teach you about being environmentally friendly, Australia's wildlife and history, as well as keeping you safe and making sure you had the time of your life. It was the most incredible trip of my life and so much better than I ever dreamed it would be. It was a great way to get out and see the world and ISV took care of everything so you didn't have to stress about plans, just enjoying it. For a first time traveler, it was a great way to learn about options for traveling, like hostels, that I really hadn't known about before and feel more confident in my future planning. ISV does it all, and I can definitely see why they are the world's highest rated volunteer organization.

While in Costa Rica I worked on the Nancite Sea Turtle Project. It has always been my dream to work with sea turtles and when I finally got the chance I was ecstatic. Except, Nancite was more of a real life game of Survivor than a dream come true. The bugs, the heat, and unfamiliarity of the situation were extreme but the beauty, peacefulness, and wildlife there outweighed the bad beyond measures. I've never enjoyed a challenge so much. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime and, of course, the turtles were amazing. PURA VIDA!

Experiencing the culture and lifestyle of the Dominican Republic through ISV has singularly been the most incredible and life changing adventure I ever thought I would anticipate. Travelling internationally and alone for the first time seemed insignificant given the amazing people you meet and create memories with!
I participated in all aspects of programme and I wouldn't change it for the world. The Spanish cultural week was highly beneficial and allowed me to be immersed into the culture through developing my language skills to then implement in communicating with my fantastic host family and the locals I encountered. This was invaluable in concreting relationships and building confidence for the rest trip, not least conversing with the children on the Volunteer Project.
This was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences to teach and support the children at El Limon in San Cristobal. I've never been so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such enthusiastic and charismatic children! Their energy and laughter resonates with you throughout the entire trip, so much so that you become emotionally attached to them. Similarly, it was incredibly gratifying working with such admirable and hardworking individuals whilst on construction site that inspire and motivate you on an unparalleled scale.
Even then, the highlight of my trip has to be the Adventure Tour. Days after returning home I'm still reeling from the myriad of activities I was able to participate in! I can't get over how diverse and dynamic the tour was in making every second exhilarating and memorable. The instructors you work with are amazing and incredibly friendly, always ensuring that your safety is a priority. The best memories are created whilst experiencing every aspect of what the island has to offer and it encourages you to conquer fears and engage in activities that not many get to experience in a lifetime.

Overall, I'm so pleased with what I have achieved in the space of 5 weeks both on a personal and interpersonal level. ISV's programme has allowed volunteers to impact the communities we help, but also gain a wealth of positives from the impact the community has in return. I've grown in confidence immensely, much to the credit of the awesome friendships you build and the unwavering support they give you. Not least, your whole perspective changes and I've left the Dominican with a much greater appreciation for what I had there and what I have at home.

This isn't just a "live it to the fullest" trip, it's a journey to wake the soul, mind, and body. We do more than work. We live, breathe, and learn to live within the means that mother nature provides. Through giving back to the planet we reinstate it's beautiful diversity and promote sustainability. We are nothing without this world and each other.

I had the privilege to get to really know 8 other unique people with their own stories and learn from them. During this once and a lifetime experience, I have gained life long friends and cherished memories.

This was the best month of my life in all aspects ranging from feeling good about my contributions for nature to experiencing awesome adrenaline rushes from bungee jumping to learning about a new culture and it's peoples. You cannot go wrong with a journey like this. I have a new fire in my soul to continue to live in ways this trip has taught me.

This experience offers a little something for everyone! Adventure, education, hiking, kayaking, reading, bar crawls, shopping, meeting new people, exploring caves lit up by glow worms, bungee jumping, visiting Hobbiton, and so much more! Every turn learns you in complete awe.