Program Reviews

Operation Groundswell's India: Gender and Religion trip was phenomenal. I went there with the expectation to learn things beyond what I could get from a classroom, university education. I ended up getting that, and then some. The trip is still something I've reflected on almost every day since. Whether it's remembering my amazing group members & program leaders, or remembering the individuals and organizations I got to connect with, to stray dogs I wish I could've taken home with me and to moments where I struggled, but can now laugh about. India is a an amazing, complex country, and as one of my group members put it, you will see stunning imagery in the same frame as something heartbreaking...but it is so worth it. And I would love to go back someday.
As for day to day experiences, our group leaders put together a pretty thorough itinerary which consisted of things like consistently meeting/volunteering with local organizations, going for sunset boat rides and sunrise walks along the ghats in Varanasi, hiking up the foothills of the Himalayas, checking out the delicious curries and treats in local restaurants, and meeting His Holiness the 17th Karmapa (no big deal)!

There were so many highlights from the trip, honestly it's tough to pin down one, or even just a few. Definitely Dharamshala in the Himalaya's was a huge highlight for me, I loved the Tibetan Buddhist influence and learning from local Tibetan organizations was certainly something I found incredibly fascinating to be able to do. Sleeping under the stars was also tops. On one of the nights we slept under the stars, we were in a rural farming area outside of Varanasi, and we had the chance to fall asleep to Hindu prayer chants and hand drums being played all night long from a near by village. And to add one more, our sunrise dip in the Ganga River was the perfect, icy way to cool off from a humid sleep.

As for difficulties...the heat is absolutely a drag. But I found with that, you drink lots of water and it's all about mind over matter...and learning to embrace the grunge life. Especially when you're cramped up on a bus for nearly 30 hours. But these are the kinds of stories you get to humblebrag about to your friends at the bar when you get home later.

It'll definitely be an experience you carry with you for a lifetime.

I completely loved the program and the trip to India. After I got selected and was given the opportunity to join the team, I received an email which said that this will be one of the best summer you would have. I cannot agree more. I have had the chance to meet 13 amazing people. I explored places with the group, completed tasks, met people in certain organizations that inspired me and I can go on and on about it. Even though it can be chaotic at times, India is beautiful. Everyday there is a new experience and all of our team members always had some stories to share at the end of the day. The trip gave me beautiful memories and one should surely think about going there with Operation Groundswell. Thank you team leaders (James and Claire) for being with us and making us enjoy so much.

The OG India Gender and Religion program was one of the best things I have ever done. I'm 21 years old and I'm currently in university. This trip was so amazing because of the connection I created with my group. My grope consisted of all girls, expect for my wonderful PL James! The day to day grind in India can be difficult at times, but always an adventurer. The streets are extremely busy, and chaotic, but you learn very quickly how to get by!
Life happens when you travel, so there are defiantly moments of distress, but that's when my amazing group came in and I was able to learn how to communicate effectively and get the support I needed.
One of the most stand out parts of my trip would be, on the seventh day my group had travelled to rural Varanasi and we were staying at a school called Loc Samite. During the evening of are two day stay, we decided as a group to go for a walk in a field near by. I remember standing in the field thinking "I can't believe Im standing in a field in the middle of India". Totally unreal feeling.
Overall, take the leap and just do it. It will completely change you from the inside out.

I cannot recommend this trip more to anyone and everyone looking for an amazing adventure! From the culture, the people, the views, the activities, the FOOD, this trip was one of the best decisions I've ever made. During those 6 short weeks I learned an incredible amount about myself, about what it means to be a volunteer, and about life in general. I now feel much more comfortable traveling on my own and cannot wait to go back!!

Here's a quick rundown of what to expect in terms of the group, the food, the transportation, the volunteering, and the amazing group leaders.

The group: It's an amazing way to meet great people from a variety of different backgrounds! From my experience, over the course of the six weeks, you really do become very close with your group. I remember it being very tough to say goodbye at the end of the program. It really feels like you've known them a lot longer than you actually have. You're sure to enjoy the time you have with them during spanish class in Lima, the long trek to the jungle, the construction site, and those nights where you just have to just let loose and dance away the night (and many many more fun times).

The food: Most of the time you eat lunches at restaurants that serve delicious local food. For breakfasts and dinners, you will take turns preparing meals, working with a partner. Although cooking may sound like a chore now, it doesn't feel that way at all! It was so much fun going to the markets, haggling over prices to adhere to the budget, and the whipping up a dish that you and your partner worked hard to perfect. you will get the satisfaction of putting a smile on the hungry faces of your entire group. And if you fail to make a delicious meal, don't worry! At the very least you will get a laugh, and a pat on the back from you group for the commendable effort. Chances are though; your group will have such a hearty appetite, that they will eat pretty much anything you prepare (especially after those long days at the construction site...)!

The transportation: The program has a long "on-the-road" component at the beginning. Getting to Iquitos from Lima without any aerial transportation proves to be quite the journey. However, it is a beautiful journey. The landscape around you is constantly changing: from coast, to desert, to mountains, to jungle. This gives you a view of the wonderfully diverse landscape that belongs to the country of Peru. My favourite part was the boat rides. The river was stunning.

The volunteering: be prepared to get dirty and sweaty at the construction site! A typical workday begins by taking a 15 minute mototaxi ride aiming to get to the construction site at around 8am. The work goes until 4pm. The heat is intense and the work is demanding. It really was a challenge, so be prepared. But the physical challenge of it, and then seeing the results of your labor, was so rewarding. So don't shy away because of a little discomfort, take it in stride! At lunch, we were made delicious meals cooked by a friend of the program! This was a much needed hour long break.

The group leaders: I had Lynn and Mikel, and they truly are such outstanding people. They're funny, encouraging, compassionate, and energetic people. You'll miss them when the program ends - I guarantee you.

Those are some of the main aspects of the trip. But there is much much more in store for you, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. Go see for yourself! If you want an adventure, and some spectacular stories to tell, sign-up for this program and pick up that backpack!

PS: I did this program without knowing a word of Spanish - so don't let that hold you back! In fact almost my whole group were beginners to Spanish.

I traveled with Operation Groundswell (OG) to Peru in May of 2014. It was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Traveling with OG ensured that I would have the opportunity to try something new everyday, get a full taste of Peru as a nation- from mountains to beaches, and tourist sites to tiny rural villages, as well as make a meaningful impact and build relationships along the way. I could not have asked for a better experience.

Our group spent a week in Lima, taking spanish lessons, participating in a yoga and meditation course, exploring the city, and soaking up as many flavors, sounds, and views as we could.

The following two weeks were spent doing meaningful volunteer work with community partners that OG has a deep history with, ensuring sustainability and community input into the work we did. Through these two weeks I had the privilege of living with a Peruvian family for five days, building new relationships with community members and affectionate children, learning more about Incan history, learning many traditional medicine practices, seeing some of the most amazing starry nights, enjoying some of the best meals I've ever had, working hard, and laughing with my group members- day in and day out. It was an incredible two weeks that opened my eyes up to a new way to travel, sustainable volunteering, and the value of community input and assessment. I could not be more grateful for this time.

Following our group's volunteer time we were allotted ten days of independent travel time, an incredible gift at that point in the trip. Participants were invited to see whatever else they wanted to and were able to, on their own agenda. I traveled with seven other girls to see Colca Canyon (the second deepest canyon in the world), and then enjoyed four beautiful days at Paracas beach. We had a blast, and despite minimal spanish skills, gained an enormous sense of accomplishment in traveling independently.

The conclusion of the program took place as the full group conveined in Huacachina, the most amazing and beautiful oasis resort in the desert. Believe me when I say, your breath will get taken away, as you watch the sunset from the top of a desert peak, while the moon rises behind you.

During disorientation (our last week together), the group had numerous intentional conversations about the strengths and weaknesses of our trip together, all geared to provide OG with improvements they can make on their programs. However, with all honesty, as I wrote my own evaluation of the trip, I had nothing but positive things to say.

This trip allowed for me to explore the world without having to leave home for a year. I made some of the most amazing friends. The theme of the program generated dozens of meaningful and deep conversations, initiated and beautifully led by our two trip leaders. I learned countless new things about myself, discovered new passions, and found myself returning home while simultaneously planning my next opportunity to leave.

I would 100% recommend Operation Groundswell to anyone who has a heart to serve, explore, learn, and grow.

From the first moment I landed (at 2 am) to the moment I left (also at 2 am...oy), I felt like I had lived as much of the local experience as I possibly could have- and that's what makes OG so great. The trip leaders and the program itinerary effectively balanced experiencing the social life of both Israel and Palestine, learning about the cultures and the conflict, and volunteering.

Spending 6 weeks overseas with OG gave me the confidence to go explore and travel independently. The simple travel knowledge I gained of backpacking ethically and responsibly will continue with me on my future adventures.
I am so grateful with how safe and comfortable I felt the whole trip. Roughing it is so much more fun if you can just laugh at the situation and embrace the dirt. The hostels we stayed in felt safe and homey. It wasn't easy to get homesick. Especially, the hostel in Iquitos. It was our home base for about 2.5 weeks and the hostess welcomed us with open arms and was extremely hospitable.
The language barrier was a struggle, since I knew barely any Spanish. Fortunately, the first week of the trip, we received some lessons from an amazing school and they were flexible with teaching us what we wanted to know. It was also so much fun too. Nothing like taking a boring language class in high school.
My favourite part of the trip by far was the jungle trek. We boated from Iquitos to a community on the edge of the Amazon called El Chino. Spear fishing and swimming in the Amazonian waters was an experience I will not forget anytime soon. Canoeing under the canopy of the trees with the leader using a machete to guide us through the waters ... hearing the beautiful sounds of the birds and monkeys playing overhead ... and just being in the moment, deep in the jungle was the most peaceful thing I have ever experienced. I would go back in a heart beat if that was possible. I would pass on the mosquitos though. Those buggers... Bring bug spray. A lot. And the natural stuff does not work (out of personal experience).
If you're up for roughing it, meeting friends you'll keep in contact with long after the trip is over, waking up early and staying up late, getting a little muddy, embracing new experiences, learning about a foreign culture, all with the safety of Operation Groundswell behind you, this trip is for you.

Don't expect to sleep in the lap of luxury on this trip. But if you want to meet good people, see extraordinary places, and expand your mind beyond what you every though possible, then go on this trip.

PS: If you have the option to hike Santiaguito, do it.

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I don't know if I've ever felt more nervous in my life than in the days leading up to this trip. I had never done any international travel or any sort of program even remotely close to this. It was going to be a completely unprecedented experience for me and I remember being so petrified that as I was sitting in the airport waiting for my flight I seriously considered just not getting on the plane. Had I done that I can honestly say it would have been the worst choice I had ever made.

This program gave me exactly the experience that I was looking for. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone while still feeling safe and supported. I wanted to be part of a close knit team. I wanted to learn how to best use my skills and time to make a positive impact on the place I was visiting and all the people I encountered there. Also, most importantly to me, I wanted a real experience and not a manufactured one. What I loved about travelling with OG was that I never felt like I was taking a tour of Ghana. Instead of being carted around and shown specific things we spent our time taking public transit, eating street food, shopping at the market and interacting with the people of this gorgeous country. A highlight for me was the time we spent in Sandema. After a couple weeks of travelling all over and orienting ourselves our group spent 2 and a half weeks living in a house in a village in the north. During this time we shopped, cooked, cleaned and hauled water (during the five days our water was shut off) for ourselves. We also got a chance to do the bulk of our volunteering for the trip. As a group we accomplished a lot in the time we were there and I appreciated that as participants it was largely left up to us to decide where we could be most useful. I personally helped to sort out clothing donations for HCC (a boys' home in Sandema that we worked closely with) and help to run a Girls Leadership Program with the other girls on my team among other things. After Sandema came Independent Travel Time -- 10 days where you were given complete freedom to travel wherever you chose which meant taking care of your own transport, accommodation, food etc. At the start of the trip I couldn't imagine how I could ever be ready for that and I was shocked to find I was a lot more prepared than I thought I would be. I saw elephants in a national park and relaxed on the beach. After ITT we all met back up at a castle by the ocean which is probably one of the most awesome places I have ever been. It was an otherworldly experience sitting on that castle wall listening to the waves. We had 3 days here to reflect on our trip together and mostly just enjoy the friendships we had formed. Our whole group really bonded on this trip.

Overall this program was just what I was looking for and also more than I expected. It gave me endless cool stories to tell and brought me more personal growth than anything else I've experienced. It's been 7 months since it ended and I still think about it pretty much every day.