Program Reviews

Firstly, I really enjoyed the first week of the expedition where we learned to dive. Being out on the water and having the beauty of shallow, crystal clear water, all around you with little islands in the distance made me feel like I was on vacation.
The only thing that upset me was losing two days of diving because of weather and boat malfunctions, ALTHOUGH at the same time I was grateful for that becasue it gave me time to explore Havan which I otherwise wouldn't have been able to do.

But in terms of the research I was a bit disappointed becasue altough there were 3 projects going on I didn't feel like I was getting the true research experience. It was just data collection. We didn't get to analyze anything or see past data that the professors were working on. It was very limited and becasue of that there was a lot of free time. With that free time it was difficult finding interesting thingsto do near the end of the expedition.

But I did learn how to collect data and what it takes to be a researcher, which is a lot of patience since most of the tasks you will be doing are repeats of the previous day. I also learned a lot about the marine life in Cuba and it has come up a lot in some of the lectures I took this year so I am satisfied with the outcome.

The social experience was wonderful. From what I know there wasn't any major drama that happened and I definitiely can say I made new international friends which thankfully, I still keep in touch with.

On the last day of our terrestrial week we went on a vulcanology tour around the island Dominica. It was amazing as we had our own expert tour guide and went to see all these volcano ruins. We also went to a waterfall site and got to swim in small bodies of fresh water, which was absolutely beautiful and a once in a lifetime experience. On the same day we hiked up a sulfur deposit area on the side of a volcano which led to one of the prettiest sights I have ever seen. All in all this day was filled with amazing views and opportunities and was most likely the best day of the entire trip.

My trip to Dominica was a life changing experience. I got to see and try things I never did before. I learned about the culture and people of this beautiful island. I enjoyed learning how to snorkel in prestine waters and hike up a mountain. It was exciting to work with knowledgeable scientists and study bats, birds, marine life and lizards. Charlotte was a great help.
I definitely trip to any high school or university student seeking a life changing experience.

It was my first time abroad- a scary step, for saying I'd never stepped out of Britain before, and certainly never travelled alone before. It took a long time to plan, raise money, buy kit, get vaccinated, book flights... quite a lot more goes into travelling than I had originally thought. But it's safe to say, despite the headaches, negative bank balance, mental exhaustion and nerves, it was easily the best fortnight of my young life so far, and I wouldn't change a single second of it. Right from landing in Guyana and meeting some of the other volunteers, until the moment I touched back down in Britain, I have never been so happy. The differences between Guyana and UK! The heat, the brightness, the WILDLIFE!!!!! That was by far the best bit- totally immersed, day and night, by the mind-boggling multitude and variety of species. The jungle hits you in the face- you've never felt so far from humans, or more certain that this is where you're meant to be. I felt like I'd finally come home. Waking at 4 am in my cosy hammock, greeted by howler monkey calls, having a quick wash in the river before heading out to ring birds- it was a privilege to do. Staying up until 1 am with the cicadas yelling their heads off, and getting soaking wet in a tropical storm, all the while collecting bats from the mist nets and taking IDs- an absolute joy! I cannot recommended the entire experience enough; words don't cover how much I miss Guyana and Iwokrama; the staff, the guides, my friends, the WILDLIFE! One day I hope to go back and experience it again, but until then, I have memories to last me a lifetime. To coin an overused phrase; an unforgettable journey of a lifetime. Take the plunge- go for it! You won't regret it. I promise.

I participated in their two weeks Madagascar expedition in the last summer, and it was indeed a once in a life time experience! We stayed in the dry forest in the Northern Madagascar for wildlife surveys, and we were offered the chance to explore different satellite camps. Starting early at around 10 am and ending late at around 10 pm, a day in the forest was including three wildlife surveys and a lecture time. It was tiring, but Madagascar is a wonderful place that you will fall in love with its rich biodiversity and nature that you will not resist going out into the forest. The most unforgettable time is on the last week, we went on a small boat in the middle of the night to search for Nile Crocodiles. It was just like some kinds of thriller in the movie, and it is absolutely safe.
I have met amazing people with the same passion to wildlife conservation, and the people working there were real experts in the field, especially for the indigenous people who have unbelievably amazing eyesight to discover and identify small animals far away.
And I love the lecture session that they gave, which avoid us from the burning midday African heat :D and through the lectures you would really understand why are you doing this and what change can you give, which is a pretty nice wrap up to your time in Madagascar.

Life is just better 12,000 km from home, 60 feet deep in the Indian Ocean, at the mouth of a cave, quietly watching a reef shark go about its day. Our South Africa expedition was hands down the best thing I've ever done. From start to finish, everything was new, exciting and insanely fun! The experience and knowledge we gained was invaluable and the memories we made unforgettable. The trip was made even better by the cool people we counted impala and had impromptu swims with.

From the moment I signed up for this trip I have been interested in Wallace. I had never heard about him before but I think it's incredible that Opwall was founded on and is dedicated to his research. If you have the opportunity to go on an expedition, go!!! It will literally change your life.
Hopping on the back of a game viewer to chase lions is an experience I'll never forget. However, my favourite moments have to be the sleepy early mornings eating toast and watching the breathtaking African sunrise, waiting for the day's adventure.

Stayed in the Sani site in the Amazon and worked with an amazing crew to help gather research and protect such a rare environment. The camp was basic but well equipped when you consider its remoteness. The crew was absolutely increadible with their knowledge and willingness to help us in our tasks.

Then we went to the Galapagos island where we went diving and had another amazing team teach us not only about the ecosystem on our island but also the history of the island.

Both teams were fantastic and very professional in their approach. The future of these environments would be in safe hands if they were put in charge!

This trip was the first time I left my country and it was more than I could've imagined. I am so grateful for this experience; for finally exploring a foreign country, for the chance to experience being a field scientist and for the wonderful time I had doing it all. Gaining my first experience in my field of study, Zoology, firmly cemented that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I thought the staff members were all very caring, helpful, friendly and reasonable. I went to Mexico for the turtles but am so glad I spent two weeks in the jungle, first. The diversity in the Yucatan peninsula is astonishing and so beautiful. I can't imagine how regretful I would be if I did not spend time in that vast, green sea of endless jungle. Standing on the top of the Ruins and seeing only blue sky and the dense, bright green jungle meeting at the horizon was mind blowing. Diving to the coral reefs was unlike anything I've ever seen in my life, so beautiful. I will never forget when a massive stingray swam right passed our group. Nor will I ever forget the very inspiring people I met on this trip. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I went on a two week terrestrial expedition with OpWall to Madagascar in June/July of 2016 and had an absolutely amazing time. They are a friendly, enthusiastic, helpful and supportive organisation who are there to help you every step of the way through fundraising and preparing for your trip. The academics are also passionate and ambitious in their conservation goals and were inspiring to learn from.

I learned a great deal about the country, culture and wildlife of Madagascar, and about the challenges conservation faces there, which, although unique in their specifics, are representative of similar challenges faced by conservationists across the world. I also learned about many different sampling techniques, and about the practical difficulties of conducting research in such remote and basic conditions.

I also made some amazing friends and had so much fun that I have been promoting OpWall at my university since I got back! I cannot recommend this trip enough!

My trip to Peru was a time of personal growth and deepening cultural understanding, ranging from conversing with a local seatmate on a plane returning to her hometown of Iquitos, to visiting the indigenous community of San Martin. Being a part of something that aids in ecological conservation and the sustainability of the communities that live there, gave me a greater sense of purpose. It was my first trip out of America, but the Opwall staff, tour guides, and students made the distance from home seem small. My friends and family often asked me how I could stand living on a boat for weeks or the manual flush toilets, and I told them seeing a harpy eagle catching a sloth for dinner, or stumbling upon a tree with twenty monkeys made every experience worth it. If you decide to take this trip remember to take pictures with everyone you meet, because ….lasting impressions.
I was lucky enough to be in Peru for Peruvian Independence Day. On the river, we could hear the neighboring villages’ celebration all weekend long. The boat deck read “Felicies Independencia Dias.” Everyone joined together to sing the Peruvian national anthem and afterward we had cake and other snacks. Without this trip, I would never have found my love for Peruvian culture and their rich history or our guide Segundo’s salsa lessons. In an email to my parents, I wrote, “So many things are better with dolphins, drinking tea in the morning, reading a book in the afternoon, and watching the sunset shoot colors across the sky and water alike.”
Remote Iquitos was filled with street vendors selling delicious fruits and cooked meats. The streets themselves were filled with dozens and dozens of bicycle cabs carrying people to cafes, playgrounds, the arcade, supermarket, and one really nice air-conditioned shoe store. Along the waterfronts, the people attached logs to their homes so they could float as the water levels rise and fall 30 feet every year. The dramatic rises in the water level left more than a few beached boats dotting the landscape. One of our group mused “Imagine canoeing to your neighbor’s house on the weekends!”
Meeting the fantastic team of biologists lead me to understand the real-world applications of our field research. Seeing how biologists live and work has given me a real-life peek into the possibilities of a career in biology. Immersing myself in the culture of Peru and the cultures of our fellow students and shipmates has broadened my personal horizons as well.