Projects Abroad

Program Reviews

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Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 week in medical project in Kenya

I went to Kenya for 2 weeks on the medical project. I have never done anything like this before and didn’t really know what to expect but it was even better than I could’ve imagined. The staff were so helpful and friendly and put me at ease right away and any quieries I had while I was there, they were only a message away. The hospital experience was very eye opening as it was so different to the UK but I gained a lot from it. Finally the outreach projects was one of the main reasons I chose this company and it was so worth it. I managed to participate in 3 while I was in Kenya and it was amazing. I actual felt like I was making a difference and all the patients were so grateful. I’m so glad to took part in this project.

Pros
  • Outreach program
  • Culture
  • Independent
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Ailish
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Galapagos over 50s

We had a wonderful time on the Galapagos doing a great variety of jobs, from checking on sea lions to clearing a beach for them, feeding and monitoring tortoises, teaching local children English and I even discovered a hidden talent when we were asked to paint murals. We had plenty of spare time and with so many hikes and beaches to choose from we were never bored. We also had a funfilled weekend in Santa Cruz. We loved taking pictures of the sunsets which were beautiful but quite different every evening.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I’m not a strong swimmer so if you’d asked me six months ago would I swim with sea lions I’d have said no. However on the Galapagos there are sea lions at all the beaches and they swim right alongside you. It was wonderful.
Pros
  • Great fresh local food
  • Huge variety of experiences
  • Very helpful local staff
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Brandon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Time In Mongolia Will Never Be Forgotten

I had the opportunity to experience being in the oldest Mental Health Clinic in Ulaanbaatar. My time there was spent working with children, neurosis patients, and addiction recovery. Not only did I learn as an observer despite the language barrier, but I was also able to form close relationships with the staff here. Mongolia also has a very unique culture due to its ancient history that everyone would find interesting.

You'll feel adequately prepared with Projects Abroad before departure! xxxx

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
A mother of a patient approached me. Her son had gone catatonic and was in an unfamiliar place. Since he was living abroad for so long, she thought it would be good that a foreigner would speak to him. After the doctor's permission, I spoke to the young man and he was able to respond and I worked with the doctors to continue interacting with him.
Pros
  • Forming bonds with volunteers and host family.
  • Experiencing the historical culture.
  • Enjoy the beatifical countryside of Mongolia.
Cons
  • If you are picky, you'll get tired of the food very quickly.
  • It isn't safe to be alone at night.
  • Must be mindful how your interactions with the opposite sex could be perceived.
Response from Projects Abroad

Thank you for taking time to write a review, Brandon! It's great to read about your experience with us in Mongolia. Thanks for choosing Projects Abroad!

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Jasmine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable time!

Everyone in the team was very friendly and helpful. I knew that I was in good hands and that I could turn to them at any time. All the staff were very knowledgeable about the schedule and knew their way around the area. They were extremely flexible and made adjustments for our group if necessary. It was an incredibly precious time that we were able to spend together. The activities also matched our interests. I personally would highly recommend projects abroad and hope to have further experiences with you in the future.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We ere on the way to the Massai tribe for a medical outreach. Suddenly we encountered giraffes, zebras, ostriches and antelopes in the wilderness. it was a surprising and unforgettable moment.
Pros
  • Safety
  • Friendly people
  • Life experiences
Response from Projects Abroad

Thank you for taking the time to write a review, Jasmine. What an amazing surprise on your medical outreach! We're glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for choosing Projects Abroad!

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Pia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical internship in Peru: unique experiences, challenges and personal growth

My medical internship in Peru was a unique experience that not only enhanced my professional knowledge but also contributed significantly to my personal growth. The host family that welcomed me during my stay was incredibly warm, providing me with profound insights into Peruvian culture. The support from the friendly staff at ProjectsAbroad was outstanding, and they were always there for me.

The opportunity to actively participate in various medical activities, including surgeries and treatments, broadened my horizons and offered practical insights into the healthcare system. The weekly medical workshops were particularly enlightening, imparting knowledge that is typically gained in more advanced study semesters in Germany.

The variety of social workshops not only strengthened my teamwork skills but also led to new friendships. Exploring the breathtaking landscapes and culture during my free time was an additional highlight, especially the visit to Machu Picchu, Palcoyo and the "normal" Rainbow Mountain, as well as the Sacred Valley and a lot more.

One aspect that was less favorable was the relatively independent nature of the internship, occasionally leaving me feeling somewhat isolated due to limited contact with my host family.

Regrettably, I had to visit the hospital twice due to health issues related to food on tours. Additionally, my phone was stolen on the bus, adding further inconvenience to the challenges faced.

Another area for improvement could be the supervision and communication within the hospitals. There were instances where I felt uncertain and bored as no one seemed to know how best to utilize my time.

Despite these challenges, my time in Peru was an unforgettable experience that significantly influenced my personal and professional development. A clear recommendation!

What was your funniest moment?
There were many funny moments during this exciting time. One of them, for example, was when another project participant and I took salsa lessons together (we were the only ones in the course) but never managed to get the turn. We always tied ourselves in knots and never ended up in the places we were supposed to end up. He was much more talented than me and also had a better sense of rhythm. I was constantly stepping on his toes, but it was still a lot of fun!
Pros
  • nice people
  • interesting and in-depth insights into the Peruvian healthcare system
  • amazing travels
Cons
  • illness
  • boringness during the work days --> mainly observation, less practice
  • stolen phone
Response from Projects Abroad

Hi Pia,

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed and insightful review of your medical internship in Peru. We're thrilled to hear that it was a unique experience that significantly contributed to your personal and professional growth.

We understand that you encountered some challenges during your trip, and we sincerely apologise for the food-related illnesses and the unfortunate theft of your phone. These were undoubtedly stressful situations, and we appreciate you acknowledging our support in accompanying you to the hospital, providing necessities, and assisting with the police report and flyer distribution.

Regarding your feedback about the internship's independent nature and limited interaction with your host family, we want to acknowledge your perspective. In midwifery placements, the dynamic can be different due to the unpredictable nature of the work and the need to be readily available. However, we always strive to ensure our volunteers feel supported and connected, both at their placements and within their host families. In hindsight, we could have done better in proactively communicating this dynamic and exploring alternative options for increased host family interaction.

We're surprised to hear about your experience with the hospital staff. Open communication is crucial to a positive internship experience, and we sincerely apologise if you sometimes felt unsupported or disengaged. We take your feedback seriously and will use it to improve our communication and supervision practices at this placement. If you had expressed these concerns during your stay, we would have been happy to intervene and address them directly with the staff.

Despite these challenges, we're delighted that your overall experience was positive and that you found Peru to be an unforgettable destination. We are committed to providing our volunteers with enriching and supportive experiences, and your feedback helps us continuously improve. Thank you again for sharing your insights, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.

Best regards,

The Projects Abroad Team

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Liv
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommend!

The time I spent with Projects Abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much, gained so much experience in the field of human rights, met the most amazing people and was lucky to see the beauty of Ghana. Despite coming alone, I made great friends who I travelled with and I stayed with an amazing host family who looked after me so well. I cannot recommend this experience enough, it helped me grow as a person and in my career, thank you Projects Abroad for making it so memorable.

Pros
  • Met the most amazing people and lifelong friends.
  • Learnt so much about my career path.
  • Explored Ghana and its culture.
Cons
  • It is daunting to solo travel.
  • The days can be quite long and tiring.
  • It takes time to adjust.
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Nolan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteer trip in Kenya for transition year

I went on a projects abroad trip to Kenya with my school during transition year. We went for three weeks. We worked on conservancy, worked with the kids and painted in the school, and climbed Mt Kenya. The communication before and during the trip really put my mind at ease. I had an amazing time and projects abroad made the whole process easy and worry-free. Myself and my classmates enjoyed the time we had together. I had an incredible, life- changing experience! I would definitely recommend projects abroad (and already have)!

Pros
  • Working with the kids
  • Collecting the traps that put the animals in danger
  • The safari
Cons
  • Climbing Mt Kenya was difficult
Response from Projects Abroad

Thanks for taking the time to review Projects Abroad, Nolan. Really great to read about your experience. We're glad you enjoyed it - and thanks so much for recommending us too!

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Annabel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Giraffe conservation in Kenya

I had an amazing time. The team - Tony, Enoch, Peter, Dalvin and Phyllis were wonderful and looked after us all so well. The conservation work was really interesting and fulfilling - I genuinely felt I was making a difference and I learned a huge amount. The house was lovely and the food cooked by Phyllis was plentiful and delicious. I didn't expect to see so many giraffes so close up. The landscape was magical especially the lake which was full of flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills etc. There were zebras everywhere - so beautiful. I'd go again if I could!

Pros
  • The wildlife
  • The staff
  • The people
Cons
  • Sometimes not many other volunteers there so would recommend taking a friend or two
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Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime experience!

From the moment that I was picked up from the airport by the Projects Abroad staff I always felt safe and welcomed throughout the whole program. After a few days doing the care project I took up the offer to change projects as the girl I was doing the care one had fallen sick. The staff did anything that they could to make sure I was comfortable and having fun so they offered for me to switch to the medical program with people my own age. They organised all the transport and accommodation for me to move to the other group. From there on I had the best week and a half of my life getting to experience things that I would never have seen at home alongside some amazing people who I have built long- term friendships with. We got assess to hospitals to observe doctors and procedures, lectures by medical professionals and opportunity to go to the medical college. We got to go on a weekend trip to the local national park where we went on a safari and went to museums and watch cultural dancing. We were always able to go shopping and the staff were always happy to take us. All our meals were provided and there was always a wide range of options. I came away from this experience with memories and friends that will last a lifetime and a longing to do it all again.

Pros
  • Support from the staff
  • Cultural experience
  • Building friendships with people of the same interests
Cons
  • Having to change programs (but still loved the medical one)
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H
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most incredible experience of my life

I volunteered in Ghana on the High School Special Medical Internship Programme in July 2022 with Projects Abroad. It was the most amazing, incredible experience of my life, and Projects Abroad were fantastic, from pre-departure to the very end.
The medical experience provided by Projects Abroad was beyond anything I could have imagined and provided absolutely life-changing and invaluable experiences and access I don't think I could really get anywhere else. It 100% confirmed my passion for medicine and desire to pursue this in the future.
I was there with 10 other volunteers, we all stayed together with our amazing host family, which was such a brilliant part of the experience, being able to live and share so many things with other people of the same age and interests as you from all around the world. We all built life-long friendships and a love for our host mother’s delicious food!
The Projects Abroad co-ordinators who looked after us were extremely friendly, welcoming and supportive in every way and we built such an amazing relationship in the short time we were there. Meda w'ase!!
It was certainly all the people that made it the experience it was.
Not only that, but I was extremely impressed with the number of cultural activities and trips Projects Abroad fitted in alongside the medical experience in just the short two weeks I was there. We were able to properly experience a lot of the Ghanian lifestyle too.
I can't have asked for anything more, and highly recommend Projects Abroad to anyone looking for an experience of a lifetime whilst also being able to make a real difference by giving back through volunteering!

Pros
  • Invaluable medical experience you certainly could not get in the UK or many other places
  • Build life-long friendships
  • Experience a completely different culture and lifestyle to your own