Program Reviews

I had an amazing time volunteering with IVHQ. This is my second volunteering experience with them, and it has been incredible. I did the medical program in Sri Lanka, and even though I'm a pre-med student, I felt so involved in the hospital.
The doctors talked to us all about what was happening, with me being allowed to visit the Emergency Department and also going into the operating theatre to see quite a few brain and cardio-thoracic surgeries. In terms of the local tea, they were beyond amazing and were helpful right from the start. I had a tough day at the hospital one day, and my coordinator was so supportive and made it clear he was available to talk to me if I needed to. I am planning on doing more volunteering projects with IVHQ and would highly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in travel and volunteering.

My advice for future travelers is to come with an open mind and a positive attitude. Don’t hesitate to come solo—it’s actually one of the best ways to fully enjoy the experience, because you’ll meet so many amazing people from all around the world who are also coming alone and looking to connect. Ask questions, get involved, and let yourself learn as much as you can from the local team—they are always happy to share their knowledge and culture.

Also, take the time to explore Bali outside the program. The island has so much beauty, from beaches to temples, and every little adventure will make your trip even more special. Most importantly, embrace the journey as a chance not just to help turtles, but also to grow, make lifelong friendships, and maybe even discover new things about yourself along the way.

The medical volunteering project in New Delhi was truly an amazing experience. The local team and the IVHQ coordinator were very supportive.

The volunteering experience was very tiring, but fulfilling, considering the number of patients who visit the slum clinic each morning. Even as a medical student, I did lots of things there (basically everything). Just consider that the work you'll do there isn't like anything you're used to in your own country. For example, the physical examination is basically non-existent and the medications are prescribed based just on what the patient complains.

If you're thinking about doing this wonderful experience, just consider when to do it. From my personal experience, August is probably one of the worst months. The temperature is around 40° and the humidity level is usually 90% (which is even worse than it sounds). In addition, there are at least 3 monsoons per week, which means all the streets will be flooded with sewage water :)

My IVHQ coordinator was very punctual and informative when answering my email and questions. Thailand was the first asian country I ever travelled to and I really loved the country, I was never home sick. The locals I met and the other volunteers were all kind and fun to be around. The teaching program was not too difficult even though it was mostly autonomous because there are coordinators and resources available to help build lessons. The volunteer to free time ratio was great. My only complaint was that my travel group found the beds too hard, but it was address by the end of the week.

I spent 2 weeks with the Bali Ubud program. First week was participating in the Culture week. I appreciated the coordinators organization and welcoming attitude/excitement in getting to know everyone in our group (people from 5 different countries). We enjoyed a multitude of cultural activities: Batik painting, Bahasa lessons (invaluable), cooking class, making a flower offering which we took to the Pura Tirta Empul Holy Water Temple. The water temple was such a unique experience! We attended the Monkey forest, so many monkeys! In addition, we visited the Ubud market, the coffee plantation (luwaks are so soft and gentle), and a traditional Fire Dance. There was plenty of time in the evenings to go into Ubud, to enjoy the restaurants, bars, and nightlife. My second week I spent teaching grades 2, 3, and 4 children. The teaching prep room at the compound is well equipped and supplies provided to take to the classroom daily. There is always a coordinator in the prep room for questions and also available at the school in case any issues arise. All transportation required during my 2 weeks was arranged by the coordinators. During the weekends, we arranged day trips. One day was a private Budugal tour which included the Leke-Leke water fall, Taman Ayun Temple, Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, and the Ulan Danu Temple. Another day a private trip to the east coast to snorkel the Blue Lagokn and Tanjung Jepun locations. All were priced quite reasonably, the drivers were nice with fair to good English. Overall, it was an enjoyable 2 weeks of learning and adventure!

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible volunteer internship experience I had at in Vietnam in the hospital from August 4th to August 15th.

From the moment I arrived, I was amazed by the work they do and the warm welcome I received. This internship was a profoundly enriching experience, both personally and professionally. I learned so many things about patient care, medical practices in a different cultural context, and the daily operations of a hospital.

What truly made this experience exceptional was the incredible local team. The coordinators were fantastic; they were always available, incredibly supportive, and provided clear guidance throughout the entire two weeks. They made sure I felt comfortable, integrated, and was always learning. The team's dedication and passion for their work are truly inspiring.

I am grateful for their kindness, for sharing their knowledge with me, and for making me feel like a part of the team. This experience has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medicine, and I will cherish the memories and skills I gained during my time with them.

I would highly recommend this program to any student, and I hope to have the opportunity to return one day.

My wife and I participated in a Balinese cultural week, and taught grades 2-4 children for another week with Green Lion via IVHQ. We learned how to speak some Bahasa, had a cooking class, painted Batik, watched a fire dance, did a village walk and taught a small group of students basic English vocabulary, along with some games. Side tours included a tour of some temples, the water temple was the best; a coffee plantation, a monkey forest, a rice terrace, snorkeling, and visiting several waterfalls. It was both informative and fun too. Our two day stay in Kuta before flying to Hanoi was very relaxing. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Bali.

I had the chance to travel to Bali for a 4-month volunteer construction project, where we built a daycare center. Beyond the rewarding work, I had the opportunity to learn more about hands-on construction and as an architect, this helped me a lot to develop knowledge about construction sites and real-life techniques.

What made this experience truly special was the combination of teamwork, cultural exchange, and the sense of contributing to something meaningful. I discovered new skills, learned to adapt to challenges, and met wonderful people from all over the world. This project gave me both personal growth and unforgettable adventures.

The beauty of Bali, its warm community, and the energy of the island made every single day inspiring, making this experience even more unique and life-changing.

It was truly the best trip of my life. I’ve traveled a lot before, but this experience was something completely new and unforgettable. Helping the elephants — even just preparing food for them — filled me with so much joy, because I realized that even the smallest actions can contribute to a much greater purpose.

I was surrounded by incredible people who shared the same values. Together we supported each other, laughed, worked side by side, and quickly became like one big family. We’re already dreaming about our next volunteer program together. When the journey came to an end, I couldn’t hold back my tears — those two weeks were simply too beautiful to let go.

The whole process was organized at the highest level. I am grateful to IVHQ and local teams in Nepal for the best trip of my life.

When I first came across this program, I was unsure whether to take the plunge or not. I kept going back and forth, asking myself if I was really ready to commit, especially since this would be my very first solo travel experience. The idea of going somewhere completely new, without knowing anyone, felt both exciting and terrifying at the same time. If you’re in that same position—hesitating, second-guessing, or waiting for a sign—this is it. Absolutely book it!

Before I left, I had so many doubts running through my mind. Would I feel safe? Would I meet people? Would I be able to manage on my own? These are all completely natural questions, and honestly, I almost let them hold me back. But looking back now, I can say with 100% certainty that choosing to do this program was the best decision I’ve ever made. It not only gave me the opportunity to travel and volunteer, but it also gave me a newfound confidence in myself and in my ability to step outside of my comfort zone.

The support from IVHQ and the local team is incredible. From the moment I signed up, I felt reassured that I was in good hands. The communication leading up to the trip was clear and thorough, and I never felt like I was left in the dark about what to expect. Once I arrived, those feelings of nervousness disappeared almost instantly because of how safe and supported I felt. The local team was always there to answer questions, guide us through the experience, and make sure we had everything we needed—not just logistically, but emotionally too.

Another thing I loved was the sense of community. Even though I started this journey solo, I never once felt alone. You quickly form connections with other volunteers, many of whom are in the exact same situation, and you bond over shared experiences. By the end of the program, I had made friendships and memories that I know will last a lifetime. It’s such a unique environment where everyone is open, kind, and genuinely there to make a difference.

The experience itself went far beyond what I imagined. Not only did I get to immerse myself in a new culture, but I also felt like I was contributing in a meaningful way. Each day brought new learning opportunities, new faces, and moments that reminded me why I chose to do this in the first place. It’s hard to put into words the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself, but I think that’s exactly what makes this program so special.