Program Reviews

I can't express how truly life-changing a trip with OG is. My trip to East Africa was an incredible learning experience and was soooo much fun! Please please go! It's worth every penny in the world and as a student, I know the reality of being a poor student.

I had put a deposit on my program before the "early bird" deadline and started raising money. Near February OG really encouraged me to get my plane ticket asap so I could confirm the times and dates with them, so I did.

In March my trip was spontaneously cancelled through EMAIL. No person-to-person explanation. I had to contact them for information.
At this point all they could offer me was the trip later in the summer, or another program which started later and the refund of what I had paid them up to date. I could do neither of the other trips because I am student and was counting on those months to work (my original program was early in the summer).

It took me 2 months of fighting with airlines to get my plane ticket reimbursed which totaled over 2K.

Worse more, summer plans that I was dead-set on going through with were squashed with too little time left in the academic year to plan an alternate trip. I spent since November being in contact with OG and pumping myself up for this experience.

I would not recommend this organization to anyone. I spoke with at least 4 others, some in different programs, who this happened to. All they advertise are the happy stories, and fail to talk about the people who get messed over each year in non-refundable tickets and broken plans.

Tread lightly.

Spending my summer traveling through Southeast Asia with OG was quite simply the best time of my life. In fact, I loved it so much that I went twice! It enabled me to explore, experience and learn about this side of the world in ways which I'm sure would not have happened without them. From spending time working in the remote hill tribes of Thailand, to facilitating leadership programs for youth in Cambodia - every experience was engaging, authentic, and unforgettable. And ontop of the unique adventures, delicious food, friendly people and (let's be honest) some amazing party nights, the OG team leaders and fellow particiapants are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I would go again in a heartbeat!

I've traveled in Thailand as a typical backpacker and I've traveled in Thailand as an OG backpacktivist. There's no doubt as to which will provide you with a real sense of what life in SE Asia is really all about beyond the beaches, tour buses, and cheap alcohol. The most memorable moment was probably hanging out with a rad group of Cambodian breakdancers and hip hop artists from an NGO called Tiny Toones that uses music/art/education as tools to empower street kids in Phnom Penh. They are so incredibly fun, welcoming and inspiring. And I really felt that the leadership retreat we collaborated on with them made an impact.Staying in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, talking to monks and spending a day learning how to cook Thai food was also very interesting and fun. The friendships you build and memories shared with your fellow travelers on the trip make it all the more amazing.

Though it was only a two week program I felt I gained a considerable amount of experience; far more than even the last few years living in my home town. It made me a much more confident traveler (taking many different means of transportation and almost missing my flight from Toronto to Lima. A friend and I had to run from one end of the airport to the other, only just making it. I always wanted to do that!).

I feel much more cultured. Being in a place that is so far away from home with so many cultural differences it was amazing to actually feel a part of it. Though I was a foreigner in Peru (and was often called "Gringo" or my favorite "Clear Man") I always felt safe and welcome.

The country itself is breathtaking. I have never seen such beautiful landscapes in all my life. The way the mountains seem to go on forever and the way the sky turns a bright orange as the sun passes behind them. There was so much variety in the land that I was always kept intrigued and surprised.

The OG program itself was very well put together. We were constantly trying new things and every day was something fresh and amazing. Whether it was a three day hike through Colca Canyon, sand boarding near an oasis, or a scavenger hunt through the streets of Arequipa, it was non stop enjoyment.

The volunteering gave all of us a sense of pride that we hold dear. We all worked hard to build a new home and privacy wall for a man and his two loved canine friends. There is much more to it than I initially thought, but with every new day came a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn. With the extra money we had fund raised we decided to buy school supplies for another family in need. Being able to help a family and actually see first hand how much they appreciate it is something I will never forget. Every one of us walked away from our volunteer work feeling a sense of accomplishment and love for those we helped. In their own way, they were helping us too.

The trip leaders were extremely confident and knowledgeable of everything we encountered which gave the whole experience a sense of security. However they weren't only good trip leaders, they were also great friends. Everyone involved in the trip got along so well and it just felt like a big family. It felt like I knew these people for years. Our trip leaders, Laura and Bec, made it feel like we were all equal. Yes, they were in charge of the planning and they guided us through, but I always felt they were just two other good friends we were happy to be traveling with.

THE FOOD! Do not even get me started. I tried so many different and fantastic dishes I don't know where to begin. We received amazing hospitality everywhere we stayed and even learned a few Peruvian cooking techniques along the way.

I enjoyed every part of this program and would love to take part in another OG program as soon as I can!

This program was a wild ride with ups and downs and loops and turns, and just like a ride you wanted it to continue after it was finished. The days and weeks are well balanced out with activities and educational experiences that range from hiking volcanos to working with women's co-operatives. We got to live with the locals and see the land through our own eyes not just how a tourist company wants you to see it. We learned to create our own opinions and thoughts on issues and diversity that the country is facing. We took those opinions and thoughts and focused on something constructive that we could help with. There were many hard days emotionally and physically but as hard as those day were there was an equal if not greater day to counter it.

My time with OG was amazing. The trip is a great balance between helping, exploring and learning about the community. The leaders know the region and are great guides and friends. Just as advertised the volunteering projects we participated in were meaningful to the communities we stayed in, and the trips to different regions was educational as well as fun.

Out of all the volunteer trips I've been on this has been the only one that allowed us to question our motives and actions - and the willingness to do so shows how much OG cares about the quality and intention of their programs.

Traveling with OG "Mind & Body" was a completely refreshing volunteer experience. In the past I have worked with overseas programs where I found myself questioning where my money was really going. I didn't have one moment like that in Peru. From day one, your trip leaders immerse you into the culture, history, language, and the lifestyle of what it really means to be Peruvian. Together with your group, you take turns going to the local shops to buy food and prepare it for the group; you work alongside community members doing things their way, to meet the greater need of the community.

Peru was definitely physically demanding, but at the same time physically rewarding. Working together to build a greenhouse was a hard task, but at the end of the week I felt I could really see the vision Christian & Marisol had for Sembrando Semillas. For our other placement in the mountain community of Chuhuay, the physical component was overshadowed by the smiles and the hospitality of its community members. In such a short period the people made every effort to make us feel as though we too we a part of their community.

The adventure aspect is unbeatable. I am not sure you could take a vacation anywhere and experience as much fun and take in as much culture as we did with OG in Peru! Bike tours, sand boarding, Machu Picchu, hot springs, camping, Spanish lessons, local cuisine, zip-lining, white-water rafting, morning yoga and so much more!
Remember what you do matters, and how you do it- matters. If you want to do something that matters, join OG!

Five months later I am still thinking and longing for my summer in Ghana. I am so grateful for the people I met, the sights I saw, the food I ate, the thoughts I had, and the feelings I experienced. Operation Groundswell offers a very unique experience, one that is grounded, thought-provoking, fun, and challenging.

Whether it was walking around the market in Accra eating egg and bread, lying on a beach on the coast, climbing up a mountain to meet a village of wonderful people, or just listing to music on a long tro- tro ride, I loved everyday in Ghana and would go back in an instant!

Operation Groundswell is definitely one of the best organizations out there for volunteering abroad. I had the best experience of my life on this trip. I originally set out on this trip because I wanted to do something that would bring me out of my comfort zone and open me up to a new culture in a different way rather than the cookie cutter tourism experience. This trip did exactly that.

The best part of OG is that you actually get to immerse yourself into the culture of the country you are in. When they say, “you live like locals” they mean it. It is a whole different (and amazing!) experience when you are living in a house with 10 other strangers eating rice and vegetables you cooked yourself compared to staying in a hotel and eating fries and a burger. Even small things like riding the local bus, bargaining on the price of a bracelet, buying groceries, or trying to get a tro tro (a van kind of used for a taxi but usually cheaper) by yourself all adds to the experience and makes it that much more personal and memorable (rather than someone doing it all for you).

Day to day experiences included cooking and eating like locals (which was amazing!), and taking your own lead on volunteering projects in the village. Whether you wanted to help farm with G-Roots, help Gilbert at the local disability centre, organize soccer tournaments for the local schools, help out at the local resource centre, and/or have a workshop with the boys at the Horizons Children’s Centre, it was your choice. We would then come home and usually have a debrief about our day as a group, and discuss anything we were feeling, successes of the day and/or anything we needed help with. (These debriefs were much needed and amazing!) The trip leaders were awesome as well. One leader in particular was with us every step of the way and extremely supportive by just making sure were were physically and mentally okay, and was always there to help if we needed anything.

The highlight of this trip would definitely be working with the Horizons Children's Centre in Sandema. The boys there will teach you things you could not imagine. The love, wisdom, and experiences they share with you are unforgettable and make this trip worth every penny. Another major highlight would be during the independent travel time you are allotted during the trip. I myself along with 2 new friends decided to take daylong walks to experience the people of Ghana. This idea did not disappoint. We met the most amazing, kind, and generous people on our walk that have changed my outlook on people and life.