Program Reviews

After I decided to take a gab year, I realised that I had the opportunity to do something special. An enthusiastic acquaintance of mine adviced me to have a look on the website of Raleigh International, because he had a very cool experience with them a few years ago. And now I totally agree with him. I went on Raleigh expedition to Nepal in the winter of 2019. Being placed in an hostfamily in a rural community while working at valuable sanitation-and hygieneprojects is an experience I will never forget. Especially because we made a big difference and we did that as a team. Living with the community members and experience their hospitality was very inspiring. And last but not least, you also got to know a lot of nice people who live all over the world.

All in all, I would highly recommend going on Raleigh expedition.

Raleigh Expeditions are amazing. Honestly, when I went on this 10 week expedition back in Feb 2018, I was not expecting to enjoy it quite as much as I did, whilst also positively impacting the Nepalese community and making real change with the projects we did. I went on this programme during my gap year, after working and fundraising for the first half of it. I felt welcome and part of the group from the very first day - it was so easy to make friends, as majority of the volunteers were also school leavers, or had just left Uni, so we found we all just clicked.
I know how difficult it is to chose which volunteering programme to go on. However, I would urge you to consider Raleigh, because it IS different to the rest. Raleigh is a trusted company and out on expedition I genuinely felt safe - the staff were supportive, I was able to get contact from home, and the whole programme was extremely well organised. With the expedition I went on, I spent two phases (3 weeks each) working in community and the middle phase (also 3 weeks) trekking in the Ruby Valley. In community we were staying in home-stays with a host family, and another Raleigh volunteer, which was such an amazing experience - it allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the Nepalese culture. During the working days our main project was digging a pipe line and a hole for a water tank, to replace the one that was damaged from the earthquake in 2015. This was super hard work, but enjoyable as a a group, and we always debriefed after and planned activities for the evenings.
My highlight was Trek - of course the scenery was beautiful, but not only that. Walking and camping for days on end gives you the time to chat, and get to know everyone in your group. I'm still in contact with so many of the people I met on Raleigh Nepal. I'd 100% recommend it, and if given the chance, I would love to do it again.

I went on my Raleigh Nepal expedition the winter of 2019. I really wanted to see this country, because my mother went here 30 years ago. I thought Raleigh would be the best way to go here, because you get to really see the country which most tourists do not. The trekking fase through the ruby valley is absolutely breathtaking, although sleeping conditions are something you have to get used to :). I won’t spoil to much but just take my word for it that the views will be worth it. The community is super fun, working together with the locals is a blast. You also get to experience what life is like for a Nepali, we even went to a local wedding!

The Nepal expedition is one of the most fulfilling trips you can go on. From the start you are immersed in the diverse culture and you truly get to learn about the Nepali way of life. The trekking although a little tough at time (both physically and mentally) offers the most beautiful views that you will probably ever see. The community phases are super fulfilling as you are able to see the positive impact that you are causing on the communities. Although at some times it feels like a school trip I recommend this trip to anyone!

Having taken a gap year, I was keen to participate in a Raleigh International programme as I wanted to do something that would make a difference. This was certainly achieved throughout my time in Nepal. I spent three weeks working in a rural village where I was able to work on providing water access to local villagers and raising awareness surrounding water hygiene - this was especially rewarding as I was able to see the tangible effects our work had on village life. Not only was I able to achieve a sense of accomplishment but I was able to build a number of connections with the local people and other volunteers alike. Following my time in community, I embarked on a three week expedition through the Ruby Valley. The scenery was breathtaking and it was an experience I will never forget with people I will never forget. To anyone considering participating in a Raleigh International programme; just do it.

This was the experience of a lifetime. I met amazing people & I completely stepped outside of my comfort zone. I learned leadership skills, how to speak a little Nepalese, I worked in a community for 3 weeks, trekked in the foothills of the Himalayas. Going into it, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do this. But Raleigh completely welcomed me into the family and I have never gotten so much out of a program before. If anyone is considering a Raleigh Expedition, I could not recommend it enough.

I volunteered as a Project Manager with Raleigh Feb-Apr 2019, it was quite simply the most rewarding, exciting and fun 3 months of my life! I had the opportunity to work on all three different 'stages' from a trek across the country building the confidence of international youth, to digging trails in a National Park to bring tourism to a new remote area, to building a school in an indigenous community.
As a project manager you co-lead a group of 15-20 international volunteers aged 18-25 so your impact is not only on the local communities of Costa Rica but of also on the development of youth from all around the world.
I met friends for life and really came away feeling like a made a different to so many lives, I am proud to continue to support Raleigh as an Alumni and love continuing to watch their impact grow over seas, I couldn't recommend it more.

I completed the Raleigh Expedition in 2018, where we spent time in 2 rural villages finishing the second half of the build of hygiene facilities for 2 local schools. We were lucky to be able to organise and throw an opening ceremony where we had 100s of people venture from surrounding villages as well as government officials attend. To have the opportunity to actually live with local families and fully integrate into their lives and culture was invaluable. It was definitely a challenge, but the support from managers was incredible, and I was lucky to make some lifelong friends too. I can say with complete honesty that this was the best experience of my life.

I came out of this experience knowing that Nepal was the best country I had been to. I loved the culture, the food and perhaps most importantly the people. I met a Nepali called Lillajan who just like me, came to volunteer. He was from the far West of Nepal and I am still in contact with him now, I wish to go back and see him again at some point. This says a lot about my experience since i befriended somebody that I would never had the chance to meet. Interacting with the local people in the rural communities and actually being part of their families was genuinely amazing. I would definitely recommend doing the Nepal expedition.

I was lucky enough to be able to take part in this program and I dare say, it’s life-changing. As a volunteer, I was able to spend 10 weeks in breathtaking locations, surrounded by snowy mountains and lush rainforests, taste incredible food, meet a multitude of interesting people, all while making a lasting difference within local disadvantaged communities. This program is an opportunity to explore a whole new culture, a whole new way of life in all of its authenticity, as life on expedition is led within local households. But what you bring to these communities is far greater: clean and functional water systems, hygiene education, world awareness, and the list goes on.
100% would recommend!