ISV (International Student Volunteers) Reviews

I had an amazing experience in Costa Rica. The volunteer project was definitely the best part for me, it was such a different and incredible location in the remote tropical rainforest of the Osa Peninsula. We had a whole beach to ourselves and the rainforest right behind us, and met so many beautiful people. The hiking was tough but knowing we were contributing to helping preserve the rainforest in the region made it very satisfying. The other ISV participants also made the experience so worthwhile as I met some great friends that I still even after the trip.

I had a wonderful time in Costa Rica and ISV made the whole experience SO easy and SO stress free. They organised everything! It was great to be able to go away for a fully action packed five weeks without having to organise a single thing. But it definitely wasn't cheap. The whole trip ended up costing close to $8,000 (for the volunteering, adventure tour& extra week of spanish immersion, flights and optional activities package- which EVERYONE does) but it covered all but a few meals, activities and of course our souvenirs. I opted to take the group flight (which they organise for you) which was a big mistake cause it was soooooo expensive (even though they made out like they could get us reduced rates for travelling together). The 2 weeks volunteering was hard work but totally worth it. I got to get up close to beautiful sea turtles!!! And the 2 week adventure two is a MUST it is probably the most fun and best value part of the trip! We went white water rafting, zip-lining, rappelling/abseiling, horse back riding, river tubing & surfing. Plus we stayed at some of the most beautiful and tranquil places I have ever been! So bottom line is, it's lots of fun but lots of $$$$$,

A volunteer trip anywhere is the most humbling and rewarding experience for anyone. A volunteer trip to South Africa is the most eye opening, vibrant and magnificent adventure you will ever have. I wanted to challenge myself and get away from everyday life that revolved around things not people. ISV provided the opportunity for me to do that. I was sceptical at first as you never know who you can trust when it comes to travelling programs.
The emailing system made me feel alienated from the group and the trip organisers as I was the only one from New Zealand but once I met everyone at Singapore Airport I felt apart of the group straight away. From there on the trip was well organised and was open to changes which made it a lot easier on the guides and us.
If you are going to go on this trip please be open minded and don't expect everything to be out-of-this-world-amazing. Of course, almost everything was amazing but things are so much better when you have low expectations.
I couldn't rate this program high enough. I know for a fact that it has made me a more compassionate and loving person. It has taught me my limits and has taught me how to exceed the limits I placed on myself. Volunteering right there in the moment and seeing your results straight away is, by far, my favourite part of the trip. The people of South Africa offer another way to look at the world, an experience I wouldn't be able to get if I stayed in New Zealand.

All I can really say is open your eyes, your mind and your heart. ISV will be there to support you while you do the best thing you have ever done in your life.

My cousin and I spent an amazing two weeks helping at the Elephant Nature Park and at a Rural School with ISV in Thailand. The first week was jam packed with activities centered around helping the park, some of it was hard work but all extremely rewarding. The highlight was the daily washing of the Elephants, getting up close and personal was a fabulous experience. The second week we helped build the foundations of a kitchen for a rural school. I got to meet some inspiring people and look forward to going back.

Volunteering in South Africa with ISV was hands-down one of the greatest experiences of my life. Although the package is rather pricey, I still cannot believe I had the opportunity to visit a beautiful and culturally rich part of the African continent. Working on the project every day for 2 weeks was in itself an educational experience and I learnt many valuable lessons that I will take with me as I myself have hopes of venturing into the field of conservation. The project leaders were most accommodating, and felt more like friends than leaders. I HIGHLY recommend going on to do the 2 week Adventure Tour because if you're in South Africa you can't and should leave with first going on a Safari and spotting the Big 5 out in the Wild (there simply isn't anything like it) or visiting the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town, let alone abseiling 112m down the mountain with absolutely breathtaking views - this was DEFINITELY my favourite activity, I would do it again any day!! The people of South Africa are so friendly and warm, and immersing my self in one of the cultural boiling pots of the world will always be a very unique and memorable experience. you can't bring back these opportunities once they pass so just do it, there really is nothing to lose! I will definitely revisit SA again!!!!

Had the most amazing time. It's a beautiful country, and the adventure tour allowed us to see so much of it. The volunteer experience was amazing. We worked in primary schools to provide physical education, the children were gorgeous. An experience that I will never forget, and something everyone should have the opportunity to do.

ISV is not an organised company. The outline is not given to customers until thousands of dollars have been paid. ISV will not give customers a break down of the cost, meaning that customers do not know how much of their funds are allocated where.
When I asked the program co-ordinators about our schedule, they could not ofen tell me when the program day ended and one program co-ordinator in particular tolerated illicit substances on our tour.
Although the culture and scenery of the country was nice, the lack of organisation of ISV discouraged me from ever traveling with them again.

Travelling to New Zealand in the summer of 2011 was one of the best volunteer trips I've ever done. My group started on Motuihe Island, just off the coast of Auckland, and did ecological conservation work there for a few weeks. After that, we travelled from Queenstown back up to Auckland, hitting bungee jumping, sky diving, glow worm caves, white water rafting, and volcanoes along the way.

If you want to take a life changing trip, ISV is the way to go! I went to South Africa and every experience I had there was amazing. From a safari in Kreuger National Park to going surfing in Mozambique to getting to hang out with cheetah cubs, you'll never have another trip like this! You make lifelong friends and memories with an amazing and support staff all while making the world a better place. When it comes to travel, volunteer projects with ISV are the way to go!

I thought this experience was worth it because I made lasting friendships with people across North America and because I was able to travel to Thailand. I didn't know what program I was part of before going on this trip, even though the tour guide emailed our group some information, she didn't even say what the volunteer work would be like or what we would be doing. It would have been more comforting to know this information before boarding the plane.

The staff at Wildlife One were very nice but not that accommodating. We were promised mosquito nets but didn't get those until the end of the last week we were there. I would wake up with bug bites all over me. The boss didn't have a solid plan of what he was going to do with us so we helped to dig holes and fill up those same holes. We had to move trees by hand because the mote had already been dug for the island. It was just all over poor planning.