ISV (International Student Volunteers) Reviews

My time in the Dominican was the most unforgettable experience of my life. I remember my first day on project like it was yesterday. We were the first ISV group to be helping out in this community. So it was very nerve wracking for all of us. I didn't know what to expect. I was nervous about interacting with the kids and making connections with them since my Spanish was still a little rusty. The first day was a little chaotic and there were a few misunderstandings but we got through it like champs. And just like that I was addicted to this community and all of the children. It didn't matter that my Spanish was rough. They just wanted to play and have fun and learn new stuff from us. The first day we took a tour of the community and saw the houses we were going to be working on. I remember walking through the streets just in shock of the conditions these people were living in. I cried a bit on the way back to our hostel, because I was so upset. The shock slowly wore of though and I got used to my surroundings. To the children with no shoes. To the houses with no bathrooms. To the garbage in the streets. To the stray dogs. To the children with the biggest smiles on their faces despite all of the suffering life had given them. We were split into two groups. One group would do construction all day while the other was doing stuff with the kids. Then the next day the groups would switch. The days were long and hard but so worth it. The last day of the project was one of the hardest days of my life. Members of the community came to thank us for our efforts. They were so grateful for us to come and help their community. The principal of the school gave a heart wrenching speech that had us all in tears. Saying goodbye to the kids I taught and played with for two weeks was very emotional. I cried like a baby as I hugged all of those beautiful children goodbye. I will never forget the love the community gave to me. I will never forget the lives I touched. I will also never forget how they touched mine. I carry with me the memories of the DR every single day. Not a day goes back that I don't think about. Best experience of my life and I would definitely recommend ISV to everyone.
After the project I went on the adventure tour. The tour was very rewarding after all the hard work we did. I want to say it was relaxing but it really wasn't. We went repelling, hiking, white water rafting, snorkeling, kayaking, cliff jumping, horseback riding, windsurfing, zip lining, cave exploring, and surfing. Everyday was an adventure. It was the best way to explore everything the Dominican has to offer. From its beautiful beaches to the beautiful mountains and jungles.
Thank you ISV for the best time of my life!

I had no idea all the big and little things in my life that I could change that could help to bring change to the world. My experience in Costa Rica helped me see that and I will be forever thankful for it.

The best experience ... Made lots of friends that I will always remember ... Best memories ... Learnt a lot about conservation efforts worldwide... Wish I could go back!! Would recommend this to everyone of any age

The whole experience was amazing. I like how they start you off in a small group for two weeks so you have time to get to know people and make some closer friends before you get into the bigger group ( especially if your not the most out going). As for the things you actually do, the volunteering was rewarding, the people you help really appreciate it. The adventure components were also awesome. I remember running off a sand dune cliff towards the top of a rainforest canopy and falling 4 to 5 feet to land waist deep in sand. The best time of my life

This program is an tropical opportunity to make a difference for a foreign habitat, learn about the culture, and travel abroad with amazing people.
For the first two weeks, we did the volunteer part where we observed dolphins. The available boat was small, so half of us would go out and record dolphin activity while the other half went on a rainforest hike every day. The bungalows we stayed in were fun and the food was good. The next two weeks we did too fast of a journey around the country. We were in a place for one day and then left. We spent too much time on a bus. They scheduled us for one beach day before busing us somewhere else, and the beach is what everyone was looking forward to the most. But if we had spent more time in a few places rather than as many as we saw, we wouldnt have been able to do as many activities, and you can not beat ziplining, surfing, rapelling, hiking, and white water rafting in some of the most amazing tropical settings. HUGE BUGS.

There is nothing like being immersed in a different culture than your own. The week of cultural experiences was definitely worth it because I was able to be more familiar with the country and the people in it. It also gave me the opportunity to form bonds with my fellow volunteers. The actual work we did as volunteers was life changing. It is a good feeling to put effort into something and see results in the short time we were there. Doing actual construction the Dominican way is an experience in its self. Teaching a summer camp was where I go the best experience. I still reflect on my Arts and Crafts class that I taught. I am currently training to be a teacher and my ISV experience gave me many useful skills for not only my career, but for me as a person. I can't stress enough how much of a valuable experience this trip was. I would do it a hundred times again.

Traveling to Australia through the ISV program was on of the best experiences of my life. I worked in a community helping them weed and replant their surrounding wildlife areas. We learned about the people in the community we worked with, the importance of living a green life and about how they strive to live in a conservative way. It's almost overwhelming how much volunteering in another country can change your views on your surrounding world. After we said tearful goodbyes to the community we took of on another two week adventure that included scuba diving, white water rafting, visiting wildlife reserves, rappelling off cliffs and takiing cruises around the Austalian coast. It was by far the best experience of my life, I met people I consider a second family and I cannot wait to go back!

My experience with ISV was amazing, the fun activities I did in one month does compare to anything I had previously taken on. I've had itchy feet since and want to travel some more.

Through ISV I got to see major tourist attractions from Queenstown to Auckland. I went spelunking in dark caves, kayaked with baby seals, did the 3rd highest bungy jump in the world, saw crystal clear water near the Remarkables (mountains in LOTR!), climbed a glacier next to a rainforest, enjoyed geothermal mud baths, and the list goes on..

I was lucky enough to be at an excellent volunteer location. We were 10 people on a secluded island doing conservation work. It was very refreshing and I absolutely loved the outdoors!

The staff was very friendly, helpful, and looked out very well for our safety.

I do not regret a single second of my trip which has thus far been a trip of a lifetime!

ISV itself is a very flexible organisation; my emails were promptly replied and reasonable requests were indulged.

On My trip in the Dominican Republic, I was given the opportunity to experience both the culture and sceneries in a very enjoyable and safe way. Locals were extremely welcoming and open to the volunteer's company, and the activities in the second half of the trip were incredibly fun in awe inspiring places. The organization before the trip was quite poor, and disorganized, however while at location, the staff were professional, fun and extremely nice people.

The work project was fun the people we worked for were very friendly and made the experience fun, even though we were working physically hard. The adventure tour was even better, a new adventure everyday especially getting to surf in Australia. This was one of the greatest experiences of my life. (I have been a lot of places)