Program Reviews

Volunteering in India was one of the best experiences of my life. The local team was incredibly welcoming and ready to help at all times. The clinic where I helped out was surrounded by a loving community that made for an unforgettable trip, thank you IVHQ!

I would absolutely recommend this program to anybody who has an interest in conservation, animals, and learning about new cultures. Not only was this my first time traveling internationally, but it was also my first time traveling solo. IVHQ and the local team in Zimbabwe made this experience incredibly easy, I felt completely prepared/safe to travel alone. IVHQ provides a program guide of everything you will need to know before arriving at your volunteer program, which I found to be super helpful. I genuinely can't say enough good things about the program I found through IVHQ. The accommodation was amazing, the food served to us was amazing and the local team members were very willing to answer questions/teach us anything and everything there was to know about Zimbabwe, the work we were doing and the animals. The place truly felt like a home. The conservation work we did was honestly fun and there was so much time in the day and on the weekends to explore and learn more about Zimbabwe. Also, going to the local school and working with the kids was a trip highlight. Everyone I spoke to at IVHQ and in Zimbabwe on the local team were absolutely wonderful and some of the nicest people I have ever met. I highly recommend this traveling company and this program.

This company helped me to safely set up, and embark on a life changing journey. Volunteering abroad through IVHQ allowed me to travel with a purpose, not only visiting a new country, but making a positive impact while there. They prepared me so well and made sure I had and knew everything I needed to before starting. I only suggest staying 2+ weeks as it is hard to make as powerful of an impact after only 1, as the first day you have to do orientation, leaving only 4 days to volunteer with the 1 week.

Absolutely life changing. I was so impressed by the local coordinator they did an unbelievable job. The placement was a great stay. Nothing special but it was clean and comfortable. Volunteering was great. The area we were working very much needed help and it felt like we made a significant impact.
The only issues was the food was a little disappointing. It was edible but some meals were very cold and unappetizing. I would also not go back as a guy alone. I met some great people but there were barely any guys volunteering in my week.
But overall it was a life changing experience to engage in a new culture and volunteer at the same time.

I had such an amazing time in Tanzania! I felt so welcomed, and it quickly felt like home. The staff was all so amazing, and they were very helpful with every need and question. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going. It is truly a life changing experience. I was in the medical program, and I learned so much at the hospital I was placed in. Learning the culture in Tanzania was something I wasn’t expecting, but it was one of my highlights. If you are thinking about going, I would say do it because you will never regret it.

Volunteering with IVHQ was life changing! I really enjoyed immersing my self in the culture and learning from all the people I met! I even made friends with many of the other volunteers while there! IVHQ made me feel well prepared for my trip along with the local guides they are partnered with! I always felt safe and that I always had someone I could message with questions throughout my whole process. I will definitely be volunteering with them again in the near future! The program staff helped me the entire time I was there and even prior to the trip beginning. The trip was incredibly affordable! I was impressed with how affordable this trip was! It was one of the longest trips I have taken and it was also one of the cheapest! I felt safe the entire time as a solo traveler! This trip was amazing and I truthfully feel like I made an impact on the community I helped!

I could not have enjoyed my time volunteering in Bali, Nusa Penida, any more than I already did! Unless maybe if I’d stayed for longer. The local team and coordinators did everything they could to make everyone feel safe and comfortable during their stay. The food and accommodation was brilliant, so much so that I found myself looking forward to every meal. I met amazing people for the short time (2 weeks) that I was there- it was awesome to be able to connect with people that have similar ambitions and goals but who came from a completely different culture or place in the world. Volunteering with the turtles was incredible and I encourage you to ask as many questions as you can to get the most out of the time you’re there. The actual volunteering itself wasn’t too strenuous and I found myself having so much fun each day. My personal favourite was probably the crab catching! It usually involved lots of laughter and running down the beach.I’ve come away feeling as if I helped out, even in a small way, and with so much new knowledge that I’ll now carry with me forever. Definitely try out a programme if you can!!

This was one of the most fantastic experiences I have ever had. At first I was a bit anxious about volunteering in a foreign country where I didn’t know anyone, but the staff at IVHQ and the local team answered all of my questions before going and provided excellent online preparation.

All the documentation that needed to be completed before travelling was laid out very clearly, and the volunteer handbook does a terrific job of describing what to expect. I felt completely safe and supported the whole time I was on site.

Our local team frequently got together for meals and other activities so I felt like part of a team, but what I loved most was living with a local family and being part of the community. I was able to make a difference through my volunteer work, and at the same time I was able to experience personal growth through my connections with my hosts.

Most of the volunteers at my location were university students, but there were a few like myself who are either retired or close to retirement. My only regret was that I didn’t know about IVHQ sooner! I will definitely be volunteering again.

It was life changing, everyone should do it, it has been my dream for 30 years and I am glad that I finally did it. I have already signed up for another in April of next year. I wish that everyone could take the time to fill their dreams. I would have done so many things different in my life had I done this sooner. Life is short live your dreams and help others. I am planning on doing some kind of volunteering ever year as long as I am able. take time for yourself and others every time you have a chance life is too short to wait until tomorrow.

I had an incredible experience volunteering with sea turtles in Bali. As it was my first time volunteering abroad by myself , I did not know what to expect. However , the local team were so kind and helpful and were having such a great impact on the sea turtle population. Days involved cleaning the turtles and their tanks , beach cleaning sometimes and crab catching. All meaningful activities. The rest of the time was our own to explore the area , relax or have fun with the friends we had quickly made.The food prepared by the local team was delicious too. It was hard at times , especially travelling by myself but completely worth it. Any advice i would give would be to definitely use an E-Sim because it was so much easier than an actual one :)