ISV (International Student Volunteers) Reviews

Volunteering in the Dominican Republic was absolutely amazing! The children were so cute and very willing to learn. We got to teach them English and play lots of games. We built a small village latrines that they were in desperate need of. The most challenging part was not knowing Spanish very well. I would recommend this trip to anyone!!

Hello,

Seriously, it would take me 2 days to write all the emotions and experiences i had on this trip. So i am just gonna say in simple words.
Take the trip! I went there for a month (including the adventure tour) and believe me i had a post isv depression when i arrived back to Greece. Nothing would excite me as much as the trip itself in Costa Rica. I loved it man. Believe me i have stories to tell... ts. ts.. Its for everyone out there, for every type of person. I myself i am a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but the programme suits everyone. Do it and you wont regret, you ll have a lot of summer vacations where you live.
Be different and make the difference. I guarantee you, you will not regret it and I am talking about everything right here. The whole group was about 90 people with 65 females and 25 males more or less. I ll say no more. Take the trip and dnt be weak. True Story bro

For 4 weeks, you get to meet like-minded people who you can work with to help the environment, explore new places, see emus running about in the fields, make friends with dingo pups, and see wallabies hop about in the fields you are working in. Amazing program!

This program was amazing. I'm not even exaggerating. You might think I am, but I'm not. I'll start at the beginning.

ISV Reps came to my university (University of Prince Edward Island), and I made my decision right then and there, I was going to Costa Rica. I signed up in like October, and was only leaving in July... So I had to be patient. But, time flew by, and before I knew it, we were on our way to la Pura Vida! As soon as we landed I felt safe, and welcomed. There were lots of other ISV participants landing at the same time, and ISV staff in the airport just waiting to meet you. We got on the bus, and heading to our hostel (which wasn't really a hostel at all, more like an awesome ISV B&B). We had orientation, met all of our group, and were off to our volunteer destination the next day. Those 2 weeks were some of the best weeks of my life.

I never expected to get so close with my volunteer group. There were 12-14 of us, no electricity, no TV, no internet. So when we weren't working we had nothing else to do but to talk to each other. It felt so good to do that again. Our group was placed in San San Pond Sak in Panama, on a Sea Turtle Conservation project. I felt completely safe during our entire stay. The staff & project coordinators were amazing, so welcoming. They showed us their culture, and we helped with whatever they wanted us to help with.

Our volunteer tasks ranged from helping them build a dock, to doing work with the sea turtles (my favorite part). We help with night patrols: patrolling the beach at night, hoping to find a turtle laying her eggs on the beach. If we did find one, we'd collect her eggs and bring them to the hatchery to protect them from poachers & wildlife.

Food. The food was different, but in a good way. Although I'd be lying if I said my first piece of pizza afterwards wasn't heaven.. And I'll never eat plantains again, ever. But overall, it was good.

We got to go into town during our volunteer weeks too, which was great. Got to call our parents, use the internet, etc.

Now, for the adventure tour. It was AMAZING. Once you're done your 2 weeks of volunteer, you go on a cross-country tour of 2 weeks doing AMAZING things. We went white-water rafting for 3 days, we went zip-lining, saw SO many things - stayed in these swank eco-friendly hotels. I can't even explain it. You just gotta do it.

Bottom line - if you want to travel, and experience a country for what it REALLY is, not just its tourist locations, do an ISV program. You won't regret it.

I loved my time in the D.R. with ISV. I met some people I am proud to call life long friends and did so while experiencing a new land. The whole experience was amazing in La Mina, and I cannot wait until I am old enough to send my future children there.

Food: deliscious, lots of different kinds of meat

Safety: couldn't have been safer if I was wrapped in a bubble, the people around you [both from the program and not] educate you on what you should know about the country and stay with you all the time

People: they are some of my greatest friendships now : )

Travel: no thoughts, as in I never had to think about it; all travel arrangements from our everyday volunteering to our weekend activities were made for us.

Volunteering: I miss the kids, they were the sweetest, most adorable children who just wanted to have fun and be held. I got a work out for sure, chasing them and picking them up [sometimes 2 at a time]. I still stay in contact over there. I want to go back and see them because emails are not the same. Their backgrounds and current lives are not usually pleasant and brought tears to many of our eyes, but every day that we saw them, they had the biggest smiles on their faces.

Adventure Tour: So many beautiful sites from so many angles. We did more than anyone I know will probably ever do. It was great to not have to worry about if something or someplace was safe because it was checked into already and our leader knew the people personally. We were on the ride of our lives and the track was already set, inspected, and tested. My highlight was definitely swimming WITH a whale shark.

Costa Rica is truly a beautiful and happy place. I loved every moment of my ISV trip. I don't know of any other program that so perfectly combines volunteer opportunities and adventure.
I participated in Sea Turtle conservation in Ostional. The place was small, but wonderful. The thing you learn quickly in Costa Rica is that things are wet. And waterproof things in America might well be waterproof in America, but NOT in Costa Rica. The only issue I had was discovering my foulie wasn't entirely water resistant, but then again, is anything when introduced to Costa Rica rain?
Also, it's important to like rice and beans, and maybe tortilla! With a delicious fruit drink.
Honestly, I loved the food, I loved being outside, even the rain. The ISV staff were very knowledgable of all things Costa Rica and always there to help. If you are looking to Volunteer abroad, do it with ISV and seriously consider Costa Rica. Pura Vida!

My experience with ISV is something that I will never forget. I worked for 2 weeks with cheetahs, wild dogs, vultures and other various animals that I could only imagine being near in my dreams. Between feeding and working with the cheetahs, I had once in a lifetime experiences on a daily basis! I learned so much about the different animals and culture in the area that it gave me a whole new appreciation for the wildlife and how people are affecting the environment, good and bad. I also helped clear the roads in the centre to make it easier to get around the grounds. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard while doing physical labor in my life! It was such a blast and each moment has a special place in my heart.
After work was always a blast as well no matter how tired I was. Whether we went to play with some lions or go on ziplines, it was never dull! I had an amazing group of people as well that all share a passion for helping the world and was able to relate and connect! I am now fortunate enough to call them some of my best friends and my family. Before I left I was nervous that I would be spending every moment with strangers but after we all spent time in the airport going to South Africa, I couldn't imagine my life without them and still talk to them constantly.
For the third and fourth weeks of my trip, we travelled around South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. It was fast paced and absolutely fabulous to see so much! Honestly, who can say that they went on a horseback riding safari and caving in Swaziland, snorkeled with whale sharks while watching humpback whales breach and pods of dolphins swimming around our boats, surf in the Indian Ocean, ride horses on along the beach, ride quads to remote areas and interact with a beautiful culture all in Mozambique and then go through Kruger National Park and watch a lion take down a warthog along with many other fabulous animals! And there was so much more! We went kloofing and bonded around fires while the wild animals surrounded us. All packed into two weeks it was insane but the best time in the world!
ISV took care of everything and it was so planned out, I felt I was in the best hands possible. They honestly were there around the clock providing us with the best food and best accommodations. The thing that really impressed me was that ISV received one bad review on an accommodation and refused to use them again. They always makes sure that everyone is taken care of and happy. While on the trip, I lost someone very close to me at home. I had a lot of pain but my ISV family was there to keep me cheerful and support me in any way. ISV also made sure everything was ok and they put me in contact with home to make sure everything was alright.
I have had such an amazing experience traveling with ISV that I really can't imagine going anywhere without them. Everything was made so easily and they were always there when there were questions or concerns. Their organization is the best that is offered and provides life changing opportunities. I have gained so much new insight to the world and to see the true beauty that it has to offer and it is all thanks to ISV.

The summer of 2010 I traveled to Australia with International Student Volunteers. My mission: complete projects with the Department of Sustainability and Energy. Each day involved something new. I worked along side the local old-time forest rangers learning about the area and ways they are conserving. One day I installed cameras in a forest to determine whether or not the DSE would conduct a controlled burn of the area based on the animal movement in the area. Other days I surveyed land for endangered plants. Other tasks involved building fences, weeding noxious plants, planting, and eating local treats.

The trip encompassed more than volunteering--I got to know a group of college students from across the country. We spent the first two weeks in secluded areas surrounded by wildlife. In the mornings we woke up to kangaroos eating outside our doors. In the evenings we went on hikes, nature walks, and to the small local pub (we met a reporter and made it on the front page of their paper!)

Following the two weeks of volunteering, we embarked on the greatest adventure of our lives. We met up with other volunteer groups to travel the east coast of Australia. Along the way we surfed, rappelled, snorkeled, shopped, hiked, swam, four-wheeled, encountered native animals, experienced native culture, and bungy jumped. The bonds we made will last a life-time.

Following that month long journey, a few of us opted to travel to Fiji for a week of relaxation in the sun.

Leading up to the trip, I solicited everyone I knew for donations. Donations are tax deductible; therefore many people are inclined to donate! The money was well-spent as I returned with great friends, amazing pictures, and a new sense of the world.

Absolutely worth every penny. If you have a chance to go with ISV take it! I made life long friends, while doing my part in helping the world. I did sea turtle conservation in San San Pond Sak. The staff there was awesome including our project leader. We released over 400 hundred baby turtles and collected lots of eggs! Wonderful if you love working with animals.
Seriously worth any amount of time and money it took to get there. Best experience of my life!