Program Reviews

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer in Bali through IVHQ, staying at the Green Lion House. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of amazing. The local team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and supported, ensuring we had everything we needed both for our volunteer work and our time exploring Bali.

Teaching the local children was a truly rewarding experience. Their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm made every day memorable, and I feel grateful to have been part of their learning journey. The program was well organized, allowing us to make a real impact while also immersing ourselves in the local culture.

The Green Lion House was a comfortable and friendly place to stay, with a warm community atmosphere that made it easy to connect with fellow volunteers from around the world.

I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to give back, gain teaching experience, and immerse themselves in a vibrant culture. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever

It was my first time joining a program through IVHQ, and it turned out to be one of the most wonderful experiences I've ever had.

The program manager was incredibly caring, always responding quickly and efficiently to any questions or concerns.

When I arrived in Kenya, the local team was very supportive and friendly, making me feel welcome from the start.

My homestay experience was also fantastic, the host family was always smiling and kind to me, which made me feel right at home.

I truly enjoy traveling the world in this meaningful way, as it allows me to connect deeply with local cultures and give back at the same time.

I recently completed my first volunteer trip to Nepal through IVHQ, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. As a new volunteer, I had a lot on my mind—nervousness, questions, and the usual “what ifs.” But IVHQ’s 15-step guide was genuinely helpful. It laid everything out clearly and helped me stay organized and feel prepared before I left.

I landed in Kathmandu at 8:30 PM, and just as promised, someone was there waiting with a name tag. That small detail made a big difference—it instantly put me at ease. The host was welcoming, and the local team guided me through everything I needed to know to feel safe and comfortable. They were always available and easy to reach, which made settling in much smoother than I expected.

One of the best parts was meeting fellow volunteers from around the world.

Outside of volunteering, I got to explore the mountains and local areas, which were absolutely breathtaking. The natural beauty of Nepal is something you have to see to believe. And the food—wow. It was delicious and comforting, and honestly felt like a reward after each day.

What made it great:
- IVHQ’s pre-departure resources were clear and practical.
- The local support team was reliable and genuinely caring.
- I felt safe and supported from the moment I arrived.
- I met amazing people and formed real connections.
- The cultural experience was rich and unforgettable.

This was a heartwarming and eye-opening experience. IVHQ did a great job organizing everything, and the local team in Nepal made it even better. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to volunteer abroad and is looking for a program that’s well-structured but still lets you connect deeply with the community.

I had the life-changing experience of volunteering with IVHQ in Zambia, Africa. In the months leading up to our trip, the IVHQ team sent us a comprehensive to-do list that included everything we needed to ensure our trip was a success and that all documents were in order. When we had questions, they always responded in a timely manner.

We were connected with a local team in Zambia, who were wonderful! They made sure that our stay was comfortable. They also offered excellent advice on tours, taxi drivers, shopping, and sightseeing. We always felt safe and cared for. I now consider them as lifelong friends.

Our team did volunteer teaching in a local school, and the children were charming and attentive. We were amazed by their musical talents! On our last day, they performed a cultural show for us.

The entire experience of traveling with a purpose is much more meaningful than just being a tourist! I am in my late sixties and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the younger volunteers in our lovely guest house. Mealtimes had a family atmosphere where everyone shared their volunteer experiences, such as nursing, childcare, and elder care. I miss them all already!

I highly recommend IVHQ. You will be able to share your talents in a meaningful way, and you will have a true immersive experience.

I have been thoroughly impressed with IVHQ beginning to end! The guidance in choosing the best destination and program from our coordinator beforehand, to all the support leading up to the trip with the very intuitive website and step by step process online, and then the seamless transition between IVHQ and the local support team once we arrived ….. A+ through and through!

We loved our host family and felt like a part of their family the whole time! We highly recommend this adventure to families!

This summer I took part in IVHQ’s Turtle Conservation volunteer program for two weeks.

A friend of mine had joined the same project the year before and highly recommended it to me. After doing some research, I chose IVHQ because of the strong ethical values it promotes.

At first, I was quite scared about organizing such a long trip by myself, especially to a place so far and so different from home. But IVHQ provided all the steps needed to prepare for the experience, leaving nothing to chance. They gave me plenty of information about the location and alerted me about possible complications. I was also able to join several Q&A sessions to ask further questions. And thanks to the short training videos, I felt aware of how to behave responsibly once on site.

As a volunteer in Nusa Penida, I carried out various activities: feeding turtles, cleaning tanks, catching crabs, and cleaning beaches.

I won’t lie — it’s work that requires commitment, but that’s exactly what made me feel like I was truly contributing to the cause! Activities took place in the morning and afternoon, rotating among the different tasks, but it was also possible to take time off during the week to explore — and believe me, it’s worth it: the landscapes are breathtaking.

On the last day, we released the turtles who were ready to begin their life in the ocean. I’m not exaggerating when I say many of us were moved to tears. It was a priceless moment — something I never imagined I’d witness in my life. It truly warmed my heart.

My coordinator was always clear in giving instructions about the work and was also happy to offer advice on exploring the island, local traditions, and what to do during free time. Their kindness and enthusiasm made everything easier and more enriching.

Through this experience, I feel I not only supported an important environmental and animal cause, but also fully immersed myself in Indonesian culture. I discovered what life is really like on the other side of the world.

I came back with the awareness that it’s truly possible to make a difference — even in small ways — and that there are endless opportunities beyond our daily lives, if we’re willing to take a leap. Now I feel more aware of the world, and more eager than ever to be useful for global causes. I learned to face challenges and situations that I’d never encounter in my daily routine.

I recommend this experience to anyone looking for a real adventure and personal growth — someone ready to take on challenges and leave a positive mark.

I’m immensely grateful for this journey, which rekindled a spark within me and filled me with energy for life, even back home.

If I could, I would leave again tomorrow! Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

I had an incredible experience volunteering with IVHQ. From the moment I signed up, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. Any questions I had before my trip were answered quickly by my program manager via email, which gave me a lot of peace of mind leading up to my departure.

Once I arrived in-country, the local team was equally amazing. They were always available to help with anything I needed and responded quickly whenever I reached out! Their support made me feel safe, welcomed, and well taken care of.

The program itself was well-organized, meaningful, and a great balance of work and cultural immersion. I loved every moment of volunteering and had the chance to make friendships with people from all around the world. It was truly a life-changing experience, and I can’t recommend IVHQ enough!

One of the best experiences of my life. Everything went very smooth and everyone were very nice and helpful and I felt very safe. The local team were there 24/7 for any support which made me feel safe. All the staff were amazing and answered all the questions I had. They were very willing to go to another step to help. For the first time traveler, everyone should try this because it makes the experience much more enjoyable and goes very smooth. I didn’t really have any trouble doing anything so that was great.

I couldn’t have asked for more from my trip. My friend and I done 11 weeks teaching in Kenya and now have friends for life; we can’t wait to return and see them again!! IVHQ were extremely informative, helpful and attentive, before and during our trip. We couldn’t have asked for more from our Local Team who met us frequently and took us on excursions. Kenyans are such generous and kind-hearted people which made us feel welcome and like family, instantly. The children are so grateful and always happy to see you. Kenya will hold a special place in my heart, always🤍

My experience with IVHQ was everything and more that I could ask for. For it being my first volunteering experience, I wanted to find a trustworthy company, so I did not hasitate to go on with this program seeing the website that they have perfected. They offered me all the information I needed, which helped me a lot to prepare myself for this journey. It was also nice to have someone to reach out to at all times, because the Local team was very very helpful. It was so easy for me to make this trip happen thanks to this company.