Program Reviews

The first optional week was amazing. I would go to that school all over again. My host family was really nice, the food was great, and I totally fell in love with Heredia. If you like coffee, go to Cafe Armania up the street from Intercultura.
I volunteered in Nancite with the sea turtles. Let me warn you, the living conditions are quite rough. It's hot and humid, there are A LOT of mosquitoes, the beds are pretty horrible, and if you're not physically fit, you will have a hard time even making it there since you have to hike over a steep mountain. However, I took it as a personal challenge and was proud I made it through. Also, it felt really good to help the turtles, and they were amazing. I completely loved my Project Leader, Florence.
The last two weeks were unforgettable. I made really close friends and the activities were exhilarating. The only damper was the Tour Leader, who was pretty offensive and condescending towards the volunteers. I only heard worse things about the other Tour Leaders as well. Still, it is relatively easy to avoid them and have a great time.
Also, the packing list contained contradictions and could have been more helpful.

"Traveling makes you speechless, but you come back a story teller."
That's exactly what happened in Thailand. Within the last 4 weeks of being in Thailand I've kissed Asian elephants trunks. I rubbed Siberian tigers bellies. I got an authentic bamboo Sak yant tattoo from a monk and had it blessed by the Abbott of the temple. I took walks with monkeys. I got stung by jelly fish as I sea snorkeled in the phi phi islands. I learned a new language. I've had birds land all over my arms and eat out of my hands. I saw elephants with half of a foot and one ear and severely abused by man kind. I've also witnessed a bond between a man and an elephant that is the strongest love anyone can have. I tried so many new foods. I worked in the agricultural fields of Thailand harvesting bana grass and sugar cane. I hiked over mountains, through rice fields and kayaked through ocean caves. I've swam under water falls where fish would nip at my feet. I've felt an unborn elephant kick my hand. I've floated down rivers on my back, on a bamboo raft, and on a white water raft. I've bargained with Thai people at the market. I've fed elephants by morning and bathed them in rivers by afternoon. I found and lost love. I walked through homes that are almost shacks where a family of 30 live in. I got traditional Thai massages by ex criminals. I learned how to cook authentic Thai foods. I stood in caves where bats soared above my head. I saw spiders bigger than my own hand. I taught English in a Thai school. I've meditated in a Thai temples. I learned the history and the culture of several villages around Thailand. I won free shots at a bar by playing connect 4 with the bartender. I was taught Muay Thai kickboxing. I danced with strangers. I raced home made go karts down a hill in the Hmong village. I soared above tree tops in the rainforest by zip line. I've offered rice to monks on the street. I learned a whole new religion and way of thinking. I've cried and laughed with so many new people. I've traveled by airplane, boat, van, back of pick up trucks, and even by tracker. I've gained so many new friendships that will last me a life time and will give me new opportunities of travel.
I came back home with so many stories and memories that will last me a life time. I recommend anyone setting out on a new adventure to a new place and immerse yourself into their culture.

Going in to this trip, I was scared- worried about anything and everything. To be honest, ISV seemed very disorganized as I first signed up. I realized how wrong that thought was when I received multiple pdfs, hundreds of pages long, all with thorough details of the whole trip, the country, what to expect, how to prepare, and what to pack. I was still unsure of what I was really getting in to. Looking back now, I laugh at myself having worried that I wouldn't have fun. The cultural immersion week was awkward at first- living in a Dominican woman's house, with two girls who seemed to hate me. As the week progressed, I became comfotrable with my host mother, closer with the other participants, and I am blown away at the unbelievable amount of spanish that I learned. Especially considering the price, I would definitely recommend this extra week.

The following volunteer weeks was a very fulfilling experience. The manual labor (putting a cement floor in for a family of 8) was measurable by results (and muscle fatigue), and our accomplishments were obvious, so the fulfillment was obvious. The summer camp that we ran for the children, however, was not easily measurable. But the impact we made on these children was clear. I began this trip hating children, and left loving them. Teaching the children what they don't learn in school is obviously great and helpful, but what made me happier was the social development. For example: there was a hatian boy named Patricio at the camp. He was bullied by most, if not all, of the Dominican students; but by the time we left, he was their star.

I debated wether or not I would sign up for the adventure tour. I'm glad I did, and I enjoyed myself greatly, but the first three weeks are what mattered most to me. Many of the activities we did I had done before, but doing them with this group that I had become close to over the last few weeks is what made it worthwhile. Honestly, I enjoyed going out at night more than the activities, but I couldn't have done that if I went home, so all in all, I would recommend the adventure tour if you have the money.

International Student Volunteers is an amazing organization with incredible organization and talent. It was truly the greatest experience of my life, and I look forward to going again.

I had originally decided not to volunteer or study abroad during college, however, when I found out I could go back to New Zealand for a month to work on environment conservation projects and explore the country I immediately changed my mind. I travelled to New Zealand with my family in 2007 and fell in love. Travelling with ISV was a great way for me to reconnect with the country. During the first two weeks I lived in a house on Motuihe Island with eight other volunteers and our leader. We completed the entire conservation process from collecting seeds, planting them, weeding the nursery, and finally planting them back in the fields and forests. We also used motion sensor cameras to track kiwi on the island in order to try to calculate their locations as well as any increase in their population. On various evenings our leader lead talks about climate change, sustainability, and conservation. This two weeks was a great opportunity to learn about our impact on the island and bond with the other volunteers.

The second two weeks was an absolute blast. I was able to repeat some of my favorite activities like the shotover jet and seeing the glow worm caves as well as experience new ones. My favorite day involved white water rafting, zorbing, and visiting the Tamaki Maori Village. On our free days, there were always suggestions about other activities to do or things to see.

Volunteering in South Africa through ISV was truly a once in a lifetime experience! I did the full 4 week tour which included 2 weeks of volunteering and 2 weeks of adventuring. The work I completed in my 2 weeks of Standard Conservation volunteering felt like it mattered, and it was even better being surrounded by people with the same common goals and passions! The accommodations exceeded my expectations and the staff was so incredibly helpful from planning the trip all the way to my flight home from the trip. It seems overwhelming to plan a month long trip to South Africa but ISV made it very easy and manageable, even with my busy school and work schedule! The 2 week adventure tour was also incredibly enriching because ISV chose activities that highlighted the beauty and charm of African culture. The entire experience was FUN, educational, and humbling. I couldn't have picked a better organization for my first time volunteering overseas.

There are no words to describe how incredibly amazing this trip was. I have never felt a stronger sense of community than I did in my time in DR. I will cherish each memory I made with my project leaders, fellow volunteers, adventure tour leader and the dominican people for the rest of my life. I signed up for this program to impact the Dominican, but didn't realize how much it would also impact me.

My experience in South Africa was an amazing one! The people of Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth, South Africa were the so welcoming and appreciative of our help. ISV did a great job of working with the needs of the people and giving us volunteers tasks to accomplish their needs. I met some of the most hard working and loving people. The culture is so different from America and I was able to appreciate their way of life. ISV made my experience educational by teaching us about sustainability and letting us know that what we are doing is making a huge difference for the people of the township. We worked a lot with the kids and they were so happy and they had so little. Everyone I met touched my heart and were the reason I left Port Elizabeth in tears. I felt such a great deal of love and appreciation from the community and it was the most rewarding experience of my life.

This summer I traveled to New Zealand for four weeks to volunteer and experience much of what the country has to offer. The trip was even better than expected as we hit many of the major sites and cities in the country, but mostly because of the project I was assigned. For the first two weeks I lived on a Maraea belonging to a local Maori family. I learned so much about their customs and culture that I know I will carry with me back home in the US.

For my volunteer project, I spent two weeks planting manuka trees on the land surrounding the maraea in order to improve the water quality in the rivers and streams. After two weeks, I began the adventure tour and was able to participate in activities like white water rafting, black water rafting, and touring Hobbiton. Black Water Rafting was easily my favorite adventure activity because I was able to conquer my fears and climb waterfalls and repel down a 16-story shaft into the caves.

I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone wishing to experience New Zealand. It is one of the most beautiful countries and has a lot to offer. Personally, I made friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. This program is what you make of it individually, and because I went into it with an open mind, I know that I made the most of my month in New Zealand.

I know everyone says this program will change your life, and I will admit that it has changed mine. Africa helped me to find ME. But, I want people to know how they can change another life. When I volunteered my time over seas with ISV I learned what it truly meant to be a volunteer; to give my time to another person, and to pour my heart into supporting any and every human being in any way I can. Throughout my trip I was able to meet so many people and view life in a unique way that I wouldn't have experienced anywhere else. ISV made it possible for me to branch out and build schools, begin new teaching strategies, clean villages, and make life better for families and children throughout a small township in South Africa. SO yes, this program was life changing, for me and for those people I was able to help. And anyone can do it.

Traveling with ISV was one of the best things I've ever done and I will forever cherish the memories I made throughout my trip and the things that I learned. This summer, I spent 5 weeks in the Dominican Republic (1 week Spanish Immersion program, 2 weeks volunteer project, and 2 weeks adventure tour). Every single portion of this trip was meaningful - the Spanish immersion week allows you to live with a family through a home stay to truly experience the Dominican culture, as well as developing your Spanish speaking skills. The program can definitely accommodate any level of Spanish speaking - I had no experience with Spanish before, but I left with a basic level of knowledge. The volunteer project was incredible! You get to make connections with the members of a small community, as well as truly make a difference for them and leave a positive, lasting impact. On my project, we led a summer camp with the children in the school and taught English, health and physical education, music, dance, and of course had lots and lots of fun! We also did a lot with community development - we laid a new concrete floor in the school, renovated some portions of 2 houses, and even built an entire house from the ground up. The adventure tour was full of conquering fears and stepping out of your comfort zone, and also allowed us to see a lot of different parts of the country. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is looking to see a different part of the world, experience a new culture, and truly help a community and the people living in it. If you go with an open mind, you will definitely leave with a whole new perspective on the world and appreciation for life!