Program Reviews

I'm so glad I made the decision to finally volunteer abroad. Choosing IVHQ made the process easy and safe. I'll be doing this again. Next time I'll be choosing a different country as there are many options with the program. I'd also like to do another program option such as marine life protection as well. There's many programs and durations to choose from no matter what youre looking to do. Rather you are young, retired, taking a gap year or just looking to travel with a cause, this program is definitely worth your time!

Volunteering as an English teacher with Costa Ricans and immigrants to Costa Rica re-filled my heart and soul. I met kind, generous people who welcomed me into their homes, their church, and their lives. The volunteers from around the world shared a love of adventure and a desire to give back. It was a transformational (and fun!) experience that opened a door to a different way of travel.

I taught in the mornings for three weeks and still had plenty of time to enjoy the adventure of being in Costa Rica.

I would rate IVHQ highly because their volunteer programs are very well-organized and they provide excellent support throughout the experience. I found the projects to be meaningful and impactful, and it was easy to get involved and feel connected. Overall, my experience with IVHQ was rewarding and enriching.

We did so many fun things and met so many fun amazing people we still talk to to this day. We traveled all over on the weekends and the volunteer work was so touching. We had the privilege to teach and play with these amazing kids. This was for sure an experience of a lifetime. I am already planing another trip with IVHQ. They make everything so easy!

I had a great time in Thailand volunteering through IVHQ. Their pre departure checklists and videos were really helpful, and gave me confidence. The handover to the local team was seamless, with pickups and transport working really well. During the placement, the accommodation was great, with a good range of extra activities to get involved in during our downtime. In my third week, I transferred to a private room, as my boyfriend joined, and this again was seamless, with local pickups and drop offs only a whatsapp away. And the placement itself was sooo rewarding! I did construction and renovation which was sometimes tough in the heat, but well worth it to see the gratitude on the faces of the pupils and teachers at the kindergarten.

I truly credit IVHQ with one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences I’ve had abroad. From the very start of the application process, everything was seamless and filled me with excitement. I chose to volunteer with children with special needs in Kathmandu in the fall of 2025, and IVHQ made the entire journey incredibly smooth and stress-free. My program manager was outstanding—always responsive, supportive, and helpful whenever I had questions. I never felt rushed, had more than enough time to complete all requirements, and appreciated the clear guidance every step of the way.

The IVHQ website is extremely well organized and easy to navigate, and the timely reminders about deadlines were incredibly helpful. Once in Nepal, the experience exceeded all my expectations. I absolutely loved my homestay family—the accommodations were comfortable, the family was warm and welcoming, and the homemade Nepali food was delicious.

This experience had such a positive impact on me that I am already planning to return to Nepal next year to volunteer again. I am deeply grateful to the entire IVHQ team for their professionalism, care, and dedication. They truly made this experience special, rewarding, and unforgettable.

I was very pleased with the professionalism as well the accessibility of not only my program manager but the IVHQ daily workers on call. They made the whole process very smooth and answered every single question I asked, even the questions I didn’t know I had! They alerted me about things I needed to schedule or complete and they updated me on my progress. Felt very confident by the time I left to my assignment, and the local teams they worked with in the country of my assignment (Nepal) were high quality professionals as well.

This program was amazing. It was a great way to see and experience the culture of a new place and also give back by doing meaningful volunteer work. The IVHQ staff are super supportive and willing to answer questions and the application process is super easy and straightforward! This was an amazing experience and a different way to see a place outside of just being a tourist. IVHQ provides all of the information that was needed in advance of the trip, and also contact information if you need help or have questions before and during your trip.

I did two weeks in a food kitchen in Vietnam which was absolutely incredible and worked out better than I could ever have imagined.. The co-ordinations were really helpful, friendly and supportive, and always on hand to help with anything at all. It was hard work but really rewarding and I felt I made a real difference. Starting just before 7am and finishing at 1/1.30 meant I had the rest of the day to go and explore Ho Chi Minh City which I loved and felt really safe. Even went to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat on my middle weekend. Would absolutely recommend and I’m looking forward to my next adventure with IVHQ.😊

I felt so welcome there, the whole team in Lima were amazing! The actual volunteering was great and seems to have a real impact on those we were helping. The program was a lot of fun and I had a great time with all the people I met there. Lots of people came and went when I was there so I met loads of new people! I was able to do a wide variety of volunteering including a soup kitchen, painting and sanding a fence and house, childcare and helping in a carehome. We also had a lot of free time where we were able to spend exploring the local area which was incredibly cool and interesting!

Volunteering in Zanzibar was a truly transformative experience. Beyond contributing to educational and community projects, I had the chance to connect closely with the local culture, learn from the warmth of its people, and experience a simple and authentic way of life. Working with children and families allowed me to feel that, even in a small way, I could make a meaningful impact. Zanzibar offered not only breathtaking landscapes, but also deep human connections and a renewed perspective on solidarity and the power of small actions.