Program Reviews

My volunteer experience in Thailand was truly rewarding. The program was well-organized, and the staff were supportive throughout. What stood out most was the real impact, even small contributions made a difference in the local community. It also helped me grow personally by becoming more adaptable, independent, and open-minded. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad.

The program also struck a good balance between structured activities and personal time, which made it both productive and enjoyable. Overall, it was an incredibly fulfilling experience that gave me a sense of purpose and perspective.

Such a fun experience, super transparent. Great team. The accommodation and the volunteer work were great. You also meet a lot of amazing people from around the world. I definitely made a new friendships you do feel like you’re making a difference. Would definitely do again.

I volunteered on a construction site in Ghana which was a fantastic experience. The accommodation and volunteer placement were just as they had been described to me before I went which helped me feel reassured. There was also a local staff member there to meet me as soon as I arrived in the airport. There were always local staff on the site who were extremely helpful in showing me what to do and made me feel very welcome. We got very well fed each day and the food was delicious. They also catered for my vegetarian diet which meant a lot to me. Highly recommended.

Teaching in Ubud, Bali was far more than just a volunteer experience it was something that truly changed me. I arrived thinking I was going to teach, to give something of myself, but very quickly I realized that the kids were the ones teaching me the most important lessons.

Their kindness, respect, and pure joy were something I had never experienced before. What impacted me the most was their gratitude. They appreciated everything, even the smallest gestures, in a way that felt so genuine and real. Some of them would give me candies as a thank you, simple gifts, but filled with so much meaning. Those moments stayed with me more than anything else.

Every day in the classroom was full of energy, laughter, and connection. It didn’t feel like work, it felt like being part of something real. The way they welcomed me, hugged me, and showed affection so naturally made it impossible not to feel deeply connected to them.

This experience changed my perspective on happiness and what truly matters. It reminded me that joy doesn’t come from having more, but from appreciating what you already have and sharing it with others. I left Bali with unforgettable memories, a full heart, and a deep sense of gratitude.

I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to grow, connect, and experience something truly meaningful.

The Food Outreach IVHQ Program was life-changing for me. Seeing the difference the kitchen was making by feeding over 500 people a day was truly inspiring. I would highly recommend this program to anyone.

Although I was traveling solo, I quickly made lifelong friends with so many people from all over the world. I cannot wait to return to Saigon.

IVHQ made the whole experience easy for me. There are so many different opportunities all over the world to choose from. Once you decide on a location and program everything is sorted.

I went with an organization called International HQ, partnered with a local group and I was really impressed with how well everything was run. It’s a program that’s been around for 20 years, helping people serve in meaningful ways, and it showed. Everything was organized, intentional, and impactful. We worked at a local clinic in Antigua, building a private room for mothers to pump milk for a milk bank. It was simple work, but meaningful. There was something really fulfilling about using my hands to help build something that will directly benefit others. What stood out just as much as the work was the people. I met a lot of genuinely good people; people who didn’t just want to travel or have fun, but who also wanted to give back. It reminded me that there are others out there who care, who want to serve, who want to make a difference. Sometimes I get caught up in my own world and forget that. This trip also put a lot into perspective. I saw kids who were malnourished, kids working long hours late into the night just to help their families survive. Kids who should be playing, learning, and resting, but instead are carrying responsibilities far beyond their age. It’s hard to see, but it’s important to see. Growing up in the U.S., it’s easy to take things for granted. Trips like this remind me just how much we’ve been given. So, I’m really grateful I went. This was something I wanted to do last year, and a coworker held me accountable to it this year. I’m glad they did. This won’t be the last time I do something like this. If anything, it made me want to do more, and hopefully bring friends and family along next time. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your own perspective… is to step outside of it.

I participated in the Women’s Empowerment programme in Fort Kochi, Kerala, with IVHQ and had a truly wonderful experience. The IVHQ team were very quick to answer any questions and solve issues which came up before departure, which I found to be very reassuring. The local team were consistently available, approachable, and responsive, and their support made a real difference throughout my stay.

The accommodation was comfortable and well maintained. The bedrooms had bunk beds with en-suite bathrooms, and even with four people sharing, they felt spacious. The rooms were cleaned daily, and I found my bed to be very comfortable.

I also really enjoyed the meals. There was always plenty of food, with a great variety, and the quality was consistently excellent. There is no evening meal on Sundays which give volunteers the opportunity to try out the numerous restaurants in Fort Kochi – more taste experiences!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Fort Kochi and would happily recommend the programme to anyone considering it. If you’re unsure, I would definitely encourage you to just go for it. Fort Kochi is a very safe destination and particularly well suited to solo female travellers of all ages.

I first traveled with IVHQ in May of 2019 to Guatemala. After an extended hiatus and building my own life I returned to them in April of 2026 for a trip to the Galapagos. Both times they exceeded expectations on adequately preparing me for my journey. Staff is extremely responsive, instructions are incredibly clear and equally helpful when navigating foreign lands. Homestays will vary by region and available resources, but IVHQ leaves no surprises. I have always felt well informed on what to expect from my trip. I am very confident in IVHQ’s trustworthiness and dependability by now, I can’t wait to make my next journey with them. I will not be waiting nearly as long as I did the last time.

I have a wonderful experience volunteering at Cusco. The volunteer project was medical care at a free clinic. It’s a life changing experience to see what other countries medical care like. The program coordinator addressed my concerns and communicate with me throughout the program. The home stay family are very lovely. Only thing is hot water in the shower issue, and the home stay family had tried to help me with the issue. Highly recommend to join the program. It’s worth a while. I enjoyed the trip very much.

It was without a doubt a life changing experience that I would definetly recommend everyone to do specially if you are young. Its an amazing way to make an impact through every IVHQ program. They are super well organized, its 100% safe and they give right and clear information since the beggining. Apart from the information they provide clear steps and different tools for you to prepare for yoru trip and take the most out if the volunteer program and the experience. They are super helpful and a wonderful organazation overall. I would for sure recommend them to travel and volunteer abroad.