Program Reviews

Volunteering abroad with IVHQ was a truly rewarding and transformative experience. I contributed to community health initiatives, supported caregivers, and learned to navigate a Spanish-speaking environment with growing confidence. Living with a host family allowed me to fully immerse myself in the local culture, while the guidance and support from the onsite staff made the experience both meaningful and educational. The combination of hands-on service, cultural immersion, and structured mentorship helped me grow personally, professionally, and globally in ways I will carry forward in my future healthcare career.

Volunteering in Thailand was genuinely one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I went into the program excited but unsure of what to expect, and I left feeling more connected, inspired, and grateful than I ever imagined. Teaching English to children for five weeks pushed me far outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. The kids greeted every lesson with energy, curiosity, and huge smiles, and their excitement made even the most challenging days feel meaningful. Watching them slowly gain confidence in speaking, reading, and interacting in English was incredibly rewarding. It made me realize how powerful patience, consistency, and genuine care can be when working with young learners.

What surprised me most was how much I grew personally. Being in a new country, adapting to different routines, and learning how to communicate across language barriers taught me resilience and flexibility. There were moments where I had to think on my feet, adjust plans, or find new ways to teach a concept, and those moments ended up being the ones that taught me the most. I learned to trust myself, stay calm, and choose kindness first—skills I’ll carry with me forever.

But the people I met along the way were just as unforgettable as the experience itself. I went with my best friend, but we quickly built a little family with other volunteers, teachers, and locals. We explored markets, beaches, and temples together; we shared meals, stories, and laughs; and we created memories that I know will stay with me for life. Thailand has a way of bringing people together. The warmth and generosity of the community made every day feel special, and the friendships I made there are ones I’m incredibly grateful for.

Living in Thailand also allowed me to experience its culture in a deeper, more authentic way. From learning basic Thai phrases to trying new foods and observing traditions, every day taught me something new. The country is beautiful in every sense—its landscapes, its culture, and its people. It’s impossible not to fall in love with it.

Looking back, volunteering in Thailand wasn’t just a trip; it was a meaningful chapter of growth, connection, and joy. I would absolutely do it again, and I truly can’t wait for the day I go back.

The medical elective program in Nepal hosted by IVHQ is a really enriching experience where I learned a lot about the local medical operation system, specifically how doctors work with patients in ER. It also provided me the chance to meet people in the industry, ultimately strengthening my determination to study medicine. Also, I have met so many new friends from all over the world, and the host was super nice to us. We had a lot of interesting and engaging conversations at nights, and it's really inspiring to hear other stories on different perspectives.

At its activity center in Tigman, IVHQ partners with The Green Lion, another non-profit NGO that focuses on travel-based volunteering. The partnership proved to be highly effective. Based on information supplied by The Green Lion, IVHQ’s website provided a wealth of information about volunteer opportunities in Palawan. It accurately described the kind of service volunteers could opt to provide; it gave a clear picture of housing and transportation features we would encounter, and it offered a glimpse of activities of interest to visitors, things to do and places to see during our off-duty weekends.

During my two-week visit the volunteers were engaged in medical support, environmental protection, teaching and daycare services, and – in my case – construction services.

For me, that meant working with Rodel, a seasoned landscaper and builder who taught me how to mix cement, sand, gravel, and water to make concrete used to build a section of an “eco wall” – a wall made with bricks that were 1-liter plastic bottles packed tight with waste plastic and junk food wrapper trash. Over the past three years volunteers have erected a six-foot perimeter wall surrounding a daycare center, painting the bottles in bright primary colors while creating a safe space for the children and staff at the center.

My takeaway points: The Green Lion excels at creating a safe and fulfilling environment for its volunteers. There were maybe 20 volunteers when I arrived, and several of them described their experiences (these were volunteers who were scheduled to depart later that week). I heard repeated testimonials describing the positive impact their service had on their lives. They described the friendships they made with Green Lion staff members. They described the feeling that within their cohort of volunteers, they formed true and deep friendships and expressed the respect they felt towards The Green Lion and IVHQ. I was truly blown away by the empathy these young men and women expressed, for their colleagues, for members of the staff, and for the villagers they served. If you want a meaningful experience helping those in need, this place and this experience more than meets the need.
Some tips, based on my own experience: don’t forget shampoo, bar soap, bug spray, and sunblock. If you want to spice up your bottled water, bring powdered electrolytes. Bring some liquid Benadryl.

Don’t expect to have access to alcohol – it’s strictly forbidden on site (but there’s a bar a ten-minute walk from the activity center). Don’t expect hot water showers (from personal experience, by the second day I didn’t miss heat; I just wanted to get the concrete dust out of my hair).

Accept that when being transported locally you’ll be riding shotgun to a motorcycle tricycle – no seat belts. Plan activities for your weekends. Go somewhere, do something, meet people and enjoy their company. If time permits, take the cultural course offered by The Green Lion before diving into your chosen volunteer activity. I did so and learned how to carve out a coconut bowl and turn it into a planter, how to weave nipa leaves for use as a roof thatch, how to cook spring rolls, how to count to 100 in Tagalog, and what a local massage therapist can do for the aches in your back.

And finally, if there’s more than 30 years between you and most of the volunteers, be respectful and understand that their lives are a lot more interesting and fun than yours, but that they’re very nice people anyway. And it helps if you appreciate Taylor Swift.

IVHQ is a great organization to volunteer through. They provided each step in a clear and organized manner from the volunteer handbook to the many helpful hints along the way. My volunteer placement was perfect for me, and I lookedforward to going there everyday. I also had plenty of tome afterwards to explore Peru. The IVHQ team also checked up on you throughout the entire process, while you were volunteering and afterwards. I appreciated how they kept touch. Overall, it was truly an amazing experience!!

Great organization. All the information I was given was extremely helpful and I felt very prepared for through the entire process. This was an easy to navigate program and the staff are very responsive. As a first time solo traveler I had lots of questions about what to expect and the program guide answered all my questions. Any additional concerns that I had I was able to ask the program staff and I received timely responses with accurate information. The support through the entire program left me feeling confident and I was taken care of from beginning to end.

This was the first time I had made a trip to volunteer for IVHQ and I chose Sri Lanka a tropical island country in the Indian Ocean next to India. I arrived in Colombo and was soon met by a smiling driver who collected two other volunteers as we drove through the tropical heartland to Kandy the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. We were soon met there by our friendly host and shown our rooms and dinner was served. The next day was orientation day where everything was fully explained and the requirements that we should meet were outplayed. The next day we had a cultural tour of Kandy. First we went to an Ayurvedic Clinic and were shown around the garden all the lovely specimens of plants where the herbal concoctions came from. Then given a chance to purchase local Ayurvedic medicines.we then were driven to a local tea producing factory and given a tour of how tea is produced.The next day it was explained to us that there were volunteers required in the coastal town of Hikkaduwa and four of us volunteer to do our time there so we drove four to Hikkaduwa where our volunteering started. I had a lovely large room with a very comfortable bed and of course ceiling fan for those warm nights. The next day we crossed the railway line and started our three week journey with 4 and 6 year olds. Every morning we would roll up and spent the morning with the children. First there was always traditional songs the children would sing and then the National Anthem and then my colleague and I would perform some dance actions to songs and the children would follow. Then the class would start and most days we would spend the mornings making craft items from recycled materials like bottles, ice cream sticks and CDS . There were lessons in numbers and basic English as well. Towards the end of the time it was Paya Day or Full Moon Day in Sri Lanka and we had an afternoon session of singing and dancing and story telling followed by a dinner of Barbecued corn potatoes and rice. We had a wonderful torchlight session where the children waved their torches in the darkness and at the end each child was given a gift in a small brown paper bag and finally fireworks ended the night. The next day was a rest day so I caught a Tuk Tuk to the town of Galle just 30 min away and had a lovely time at the Fort which was built in the 1500s by Portuguese and Dutch and I met quite a few locals as well before heading back. So everyday was full of morning classes followed by a wonderful lunch and then a free afternoon where I spent mostly in the pool at a hotel overlooking the beach which faced the sun setting over the Indian Ocean. After my swim I stopped off for a wonderful coffee made by an elderly couple at the local store and we would chat for an hour or so. Then it was the evening meal again cooked by our lovely husband and wife team. So the days melted into weeks and we had two beautiful trips away organised by our team leader. One weekend was to Yala a National Park with all the wild animals and then to Marissa a seaside town. The next weekend I went by Tuk Tuk to a coastal town to swim with the turtles that come close to the beach. A truly wonderful experience and I stayed overnight and the ocean swim in the late evening was truly therapeutic. At the end of my three weeks it was organised for me to stay four days at Ella high up in the mountains with gorgeous views and a nice day trip to two Buddhist temples one a very ancient one with a carving in the cliff and the other temple on a very high mountain newly built with golden statues of a sitting Buddha surrounding the inside of the temple. Truly beautiful. So that was my stay in Sri Lanka and I would strongly recommend it to anyone interested as you are well looked after and catered for . It is a great way to experience another culture.

Before going, I was a little sceptical about whether I’d enjoy this experience or not, and I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make any friends. But little did I know that just one week later, I’d be calling it the best week of my life! I met so many incredible people from all around the world, people I never imagined I’d have the chance to connect with. We shared unforgettable experiences, supported each other, and created memories that I’ll carry with me forever.

Beyond meeting amazing people, I also learnt so much about myself. Being in a completely new environment pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in confidence, independence, and understanding. I discovered how rewarding it can be to give back and to be part of something bigger than myself.

The IVHQ application process was super straightforward, and I really appreciated how easy it was to communicate with the team. The support I received before and during the trip was incredible. They were always quick to respond, and I was regularly checked up on to make sure everything was going smoothly. It made me feel safe and cared for throughout the whole journey.

Overall, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It truly changed my perspective, introduced me to lifelong friends, and left me wanting to do even more. I’m already planning my next trip with IVHQ and am 100% doing this again

Volunteering in Tanzania isn’t just about giving. It’s about sharing, learning, and growing. You leave a part of yourself there, but you also bring back lessons, friendships, and memories that stay with you forever. I developed practical skills, teamwork, communication, leadership… Adapting to a different environment pushes you out of your comfort zone. You gain confidence, resilience, and a deeper sense of gratitude. Locals are often warm and welcoming, and you’ll learn Swahili basics and customs firsthand.

Well-organized and available to support. If you are looking for a volunteer program provider who covers everything so you can focus 100% on your volunteer activity, they are a great choice.

I assisted teachers in a public primary school where the high student/teacher ratio and the lack of resources make it highly challenging to provide every pupil the quality of education they should receive. They were grateful for my and my fellow volunteer's support and creativity in taking part in teaching and preparing materials.