Program Reviews

This was honestly the best two weeks of my life. You get so much patient interaction and form close relationships with medical doctors from which you learn a LOT. You also get to see gorgeous parts of Guatemala and experience lots of different aspects of the culture. All of the staff was awesome and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Interacting with the locals and making new friends were wonderful. You walk away with the irreplaceable feeling that you have helped someone, no matter how small the difference. This is the first time I've ever been out of the country and I can't wait to leave again, hopefully on another VIDA trip.

The communities we served at was a reality check for us as volunteers. We should feel privileged and blessed, but not better than those we helped. It was eye opening, just because the people we helped live their lives so differently.

Never though I would get so much hands on experience and have the chance to help so many animals in need. Absolutely amazing experience!

I definitely learned a lot. The vets were amazing, really took the time to explain everything and make sure we had a chance to learn and try everything we wanted to.

We were given the opportunity to carry out consults, give vaccines, prep for surgery (inserting catheters, endotracheal tubes under vet supervision), and even assist during surgery while the vets explained exactly what was going on.

It was also really great to be able to interact with the people. Staying with our homestay families and seeing how different their lives are was really an eye opener! I could not have asked for a better "mom" in the homestays!

Overall wonderful experience. You won't regret it if you choose VIDA!!

The trip was a fantastic, life changing experience :) Got to try new food, make new friends and experience how people live in Nicaragua by living with homestays. I learned quite a lot from others, the vets, and from my own mistakes. Will definitely come back again in the future!

I thought this trip was fantastic. overall definitely a great experience that is making me want to come back every year! At first, I was a bit skeptical of the minimal amount of review for the clinic days and the homestays. But it turned out that we had more than enough help from the staff that it was a smooth transition.

This experience offered by VIDA really was a great one, that allowed me to learn while also teaching individuals from the region where the clinic was held. I will most definitely consider coming back next year for a second time.

It was a great learning experience. The veterinarians were very helpful and explained everything very well. We were exposed to multitude of animals and were able to watch and assist in many spays and neuters.

The vets were very knowledgeable and were very good teachers. The amount of hands on experience was just what I needed before I started my last semester of vet school.
The communities were thrilled when we showed up to help them out. Very friendly.
The hotel accommodations were wonderful. In very beautiful locations. Also seeing a new country was great.

The highlights of this trip were definitely getting to work with fellow VIDA volunteers and VIDA staff. Everyone was incredibly nice and welcoming. Also, it was very nice and fun to have free time at night to spend with friends.