Program Reviews

Volunteering with IVHQ, and working with the Local Team was the one of most valuable and worthwhile experiences I've ever encountered for my first time travelling abroad independently. When you put this into perspective, you realize that you achieved something that actually mattered, compared to travelling only for the sake of being a tourist. The simple fact that you contributed something to the local community, learn't new things, made a difference, formed new friendships with the staff and fellow volunteers alike is something that you will remember and carry with you throughout your life. You will have stories to share with your friends and family and they will also notice a change in you; that you seem to be a new person with a more mature outlook on life after seeing and experiencing another part of the world completely different to your own. Volunteering abroad is an experience that I would definately recommend!

I had a great experience with so much fun. The people I met during this program were all so amazing, whether it's the local people there or the other volunteers from all over the world, everybody was welcoming and loving. Also the work that we did was good; it wasn't too much but it still felt like we had an impact on the local community. In the two weeks I was at the Turtle Conservation Project site I did see some turtles, however not that many, but this is nature, so you never exactly know how many you'll see :)

My experience volunteering with IVHQ in Tanzania was amazing. Beforehand I felt at ease everything was well prepared and I had all the information I required. From the first day I felt welcome and at home. The local team were amazing and very supportive. I made plenty of friends from across the world who I will be friends with for life and the volunteer house experience was very good, I felt at home and very safe, it was clean, with hot water and I shared a room with 3 other girls, it was close to my school and amenities such as the supermarket. I really enjoyed volunteering at my school, whilst initially a shock, each day I became closer to the children , the teachers and the community. I was able to make an impact to their learning and resources. The local team were always there to assist you with helping the school, offering advice and gathering feedback and making a change. It was very sad to leave after 4 amazing weeks. The highlight of my trip was that Arusha and Tanzania had so much to offer, there was never a boring moment as I was constantly busy, whether this was after school in the afternoons or on the weekends. Some of the things I got up too include: safaris, waterfall, hot springs, coffee tours, caves, massai immersion, trip to Zanzibar, visiting orphanages, local markets, visiting women empowerment centres for cooking classes and practice salons, getting my nails done, going to cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs, women’s outreach (taking supplies to families in need) , visiting children’s families from school, canoeing on the lake, visiting an animal shelter, sunset hikes, paining classes, making necklaces at a art centre amongst many more things! I felt like I really got to experience Tanzanian life and culture and got to experience and understand life there in a way a tourist never would whilst also making a difference to the community. I definitely would recommend IVHQ and volunteering in Tanzania. I have been back for less than a week and I’m already planning my next trip. It truly exceeded all my expectations.

Volunteering through IVHQ was one of the greatest experiences of my life! I got to immerse myself into a new culture, try new food, meet new people, and make a positive impact on the local community! I did the Teach English project in Hua Hin, Thailand. The local team and my coordinator were all so helpful during my stay and really made me feel at home. The staff at IVHQ were a pleasure and gave me all the information I needed to prepare for my trip. I highly recommend them! They are great! ❤️❤️❤️

I had an incredible experience with both the staff and the medical program in Vietnam! The Local Team and everyone involved in the program were exceptionally kind, welcoming, and always ready to help. Their friendliness made the entire trip even more enjoyable and enriching. The program itself was well-organized, and I learned so much from both the local medical staff and the hands-on experience. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone looking for a meaningful and fulfilling experience. I truly hope to embark on more of these trips in the future, as this one left such a lasting positive impact on me!

My time in Argentina was so different from regular life but so amazing in every single way. It was a wonderful way to learn and live in a different culture and improve my Spanish. From forming close bonds with the local family and all the other volunteers to gaining healthcare experience and connecting with the doctors and nurses at the clinic, I can truly say that I had zero regrets from this experience, and if I could it all over, I would do it all in the same way. I would recommend this to anyone able to. It is something you will thoroughly enjoy from beginning to end.

My experience in Córdoba, Argentina, has been simply unforgettable. I discovered so much about the country I visited, its people, and their way of life. But more importantly, I also learned a lot about myself. I was welcomed in an incredible way and received so much that giving back felt completely natural.
Finally, the organization of the trip by both IVHQ and the local team has been impeccable in every single detail.
I would definitely consider to repeat this kind of experience in the future.

The experience was wonderful. It was a great opportunity to get out of the country and a fantastic way to meet many new people. The Local Team was helpful and ready to assist in any way necessary. I felt like I made an impact, and I met so many new people in the food outreach program and in other programs from so many other countries too. This is an amazing way to immerse yourself in a new culture and try delicious food. I highly recommend International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) for anyone looking for a way to volunteer!

I spent two weeks in Portugal volunteering in the program "Environmental Scuba Diving" and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The support I received, both before my departure and throughout my stay, was fantastic, with clear communication and guidance every step of the way. The local team was simply amazing and always available to offer help or advice when needed. The diving itself was an unforgettable part of the experience. Each dive was well-organized and the underwater environment was breathtaking. The dive instructors were excellent, ensuring an enjoyable and secure diving experience. This was truly one of the best experiences of my life and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for the ocean and wants to make a positive impact.

My experience was amazing, thanks to the people I had the opportunity to meet—both the wonderful Green Lion family and the other volunteers. Each person I connected with taught me something valuable, and even the children I taught English to ended up teaching me more than I could have ever taught them.

The organization did a great job of engaging everyone with kindness and inclusivity, making sure we lacked nothing and helping us integrate into the local community.

If there's one thing I would have liked more, it would have been to spend even more time teaching, so I could have made an even greater impact on the children!