Projects Abroad

Program Reviews

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Marie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Barra Honda National park

English version : I travel two time with Projects Abroad, frist one in 2012 for two months and a second one in 2018, in the same place : Barra Honda Nacional Park in Costa Rica . I past the best time of my life, I learn so much about fauna and flora with the staff and rangers of the Park. They have a lot of mission and you are nevers boring. The Staff help us to many suggestions for visite other places : beach, volcanos...
For all I just say many many Time but : THANKS YOU!!! ¡¡¡GRACIAS y PURA VIDA!!!
I come back one day I Shure!!!
French version : Je suis partie deux fois avec Projects Abroad, une fois en 2012 pour deux mois et une autre fois en 2018 pour trois mois, au même endroit : Parc National de Barra Honda au Costa Rica.
J'y ai passé les meilleurs moments de ma vie, j'ai appris énormément au côté de l'équipe d'investigation de la faune et la flore sauvage ainsi qu'auprès des rangers du parc. Les missions sont multiples et on ne s'ennuie jamais. L'équipe est présente aussi pour nous suggéré d'autres endroits à visiter : plage, voacans ect...
A tous je leur dirais jamais assez mais : MERCI!!! ¡¡¡GRACIAS y PURA VIDA!!!
J'y retournerai ça c'est certain !

Response from

Hi Marie,
I’m glad to read about your amazing time on our Conservation project in Costa Rica. Your hard work is truly appreciated by us and the local community. We hope to welcome you back again on one of our meaningful projects.

Luis Eduardo Arguedas, Country Director for Costa Rica

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Myrthe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible experience

The medicine project I did with Projects Abroad in Tanzania was one of the most incredible experiences in my life. I was a medical volunteer in the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Arusha. My working days would be from 08.30 to 14.00, and I would go on rounds with the local doctors. My way of helping in the hospital would be taking up a nurses' role, so taking blood pressure, vitals, helping the patients move around the hospital, etc. Apart from (at least trying my best at) helping the community, I think Projects Abroad makes sure the experience is fantastic for its volunteers as well. They organise workshops about the Tanzanian language and culture, as well as workshops about tropical diseases, stitching workshops, etc. They'll help you organise (safari) trips, hikes, the list goes on. They care a lot about helping us understand the cultural differences, which makes the volunteering easier and more effective.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
For me the most surprising/amazing thing I saw when I was in Tanzania was a Cesarian Section in the hospital.
Response from

Hi Myrthe,
I’m happy to hear about your fantastic time away with us on our High School Specials Medicine project in Tanzania. Great things are achieved when volunteers join our global community. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated not just by us but by the local community. We hope to see you again in the near future.

Glory Matoi, Country Director for Tanzania

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Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tanzania volunteer

I absolutely loved my 2 weeks in Tanzania. The project was so well organised and I appreciate all the little things in life so much more now! Plus the food cooked by the hosts is amazing and you meet some great friends for life from many different countries! I spent time educating the children in the morning and playing with them on the fields. In the afternoon we renovated the orphanage rooms, the toilets and the showers. I was so glad to have left my mark on the wonderful school that accepted us in for two weeks. The people who took care of us were so kind and helpful from everting money out, transporting us and just being someone to talk to if we had any worries. My biggest memory is how positive and smiley the children were even though they had so little

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring lots of snacks in case you don’t like the food. I’m not fussy so loved it all but some people spent a fortune on snacks over there as they didn’t eat the meals cooked
Response from

Hello Lauren,
It sounds like you had an amazing time (I can’t say we're surprised!). Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with our global community. We’re so happy that you enjoyed High School Specials,
Care & Community project in Tanzania. We look forward to seeing you again on one of our projects or Internships!

Glory Matoi, Country Director for Tanzania

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Beth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ghana volunteering

My experience in Ghana was the best experience I have had. Being part of a different culture and they way they do things was eye opening and has inspired me to want to go back. Working in a special needs school was the incredible, it has allowed me to realise my passion to work with special needs individuals permanently. My projects abroad manager was amazing and was there for any problems or worries I had. The staff at the school were lovely and incredibly grateful for what I did. Activities were planned by my projects abroad manger to ensure we got the most out of our stay and got a true feeling of what it is like to live in Ghana. Giving back to the community (painting a classroom) was a great experience, knowing that they children will benefit. I can’t wait to go back!

What would you improve about this program?
I would stay longer so that I could travel and explore Ghana more
Response from

Hey Beth,
Your positive review is truly appreciated. Thank you for your commitment towards our Care project in Ghana. Great things are achieved when our global network of volunteers come together. We hope to see you volunteering again with us soon.

Emmanuel Abaaja, Country Director for Ghana

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Roonagh
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my lide

I was looking for a volunteer project in the summer of 2015, I was 16 at the time and discovered that very few organisations offer projects to people 16-17, until I came across Projects Abroad's website. I was immediately interested and started browsing through the many projects, for me it was the high school specials and i was particularly interested in care and community in Africa. I emailed projects abroad as I had so many questions, they were very very helpful and even arranged for me to meet up with a previous volunteer where I live. She was lovely and answered all of my questions and concerns, that was when I made the decision to go to Ghana for 4 weeks.

I was overly excited (especially as this was a year before I was actually going!), when I got my "my projects abroad" webpage I swear i checked it every day waiting for new information to be uploaded about my project. About a month before I went I received lots of information about my project (about the schools I'd be going to, my host family and accommodation and even an itinerary that told me what I would be doing each day in Ghana).

I emailed back and forth with Projects Abroad staff and always got a quick response.

From the minute I set foot in Ghana I was supported and guided by the staff, I was met at the airport by them and they were very friendly. My supervisor was my rock for my month in Ghana. He became a close friend and he and my group of volunteers became a little family, helping and supporting each other. I felt like I could talk to him about anything whether it was because I was unwell, needed help, for a laugh or having to be forced out of bed in the morning! We were given a lot of responsibility which I felt was very important, on the project we led classes and organised what the pupils would be doing (which was harder than it sounds!) but it gave us that a purpose and made it a much more valuable experience.

Projects Abroad took good care of me and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a worthwhile, safe and enjoyable experience.

What would you improve about this program?
The only thing that would have made it better was if I had stayed for longer!
Response from

Hello Roonagh, Thanks for leaving your review about our High School Specials, Care & Community project in Ghana. It’s warming to hear about your story, what an experience you’ve had – I’m sure you’ll remember it for a lifetime! You are most welcome to volunteer or Intern with us in the future.

Emmanuel Abaaja, Country Director for Ghana

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Milly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing

My experience with Projects Abroad was like no other, I had so much fun working with kids and getting to know the other people on the trip and I’d do it again in a heartbeat! I felt like I was actually making an impact in the children’s lives which is so fulfilling and it made me want to help even more people around the world. The social part of the trip was great as well, they took us all around Cape Town to do loads of different activities including cycling, trampolining, surfing and going out for dinner. We also did a few community projects in the township where we gave out food and helped with a women’s day event, this was an incredible experience as we got to know loads of the people in the township as well as the children. If you want to travel and make even a small difference in the world, I’d 100% recommend projects abroad!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go in with an open mind and be willing to try new things.
Response from

Hi Milly,
Thank you for your review on our High School Specials, Care & Community Project in South Africa. I’m delighted that you had a positive and rewarding experience. Your involvement with the project is hugely appreciated by Projects Abroad and the local community. We look forward to you volunteering with us again.

Harry Kent, Head Office Coordinator for South Africa

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Zoe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Projects Abroad Tanzania

The human rights team at projects abroad Tanzania were more than accommodating and the work you do is actively beneficial to the women in the community. Remember to bring a laptop as this is crucial to the work. Irene makes it easy for you to get settled in and there is a wealth of information provided to you on arrival to learn about Tanzanian law. Salma house, the host family I stayed with were lovely and very welcoming. The organisation have social dinners every Thursday which is a good way to meet people that you may not necessarily be working with. All people from all projects come together on this day and the community day. The community day is a great way to try something new and experience a different project. This takes part the last Friday of every month. Arusha is a lovely town with lots of cafes and restaurants and day trips.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would change how long I went for. I went for 5 weeks instead I would try to go a couple months or even longer.
Response from

Hello Zoe,
I am happy to hear that you had a great experience with the Project Abroad team. Your amazing effort into the Human Rights Project in Tanzania is hugely appreciated. Let’s start planning your next Projects Abroad adventure!

Glory Matoi, Country Director for Tanzania

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Sophie-Amalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable experience

My trip to Sri Lanka has been the most meaningful and unforgettable journey I have ever experienced. I will never forget the people I have met. They have all made a huge impact on me and taught me so much. I stayed with a host family, and they made me feel secure at all times. They taught me a new way to experience life, obstacles and relations. This journey has made my perspective so much wider, and made me appreiciate my conditions. I have been introduced to a whole new culture, and to a whole new way of living, and I was loving every second of it. I was volunteering for a school for children with special needs, and I loved every minute I spend in that classroom. I now I was making a difference and helped those who needed it, and im grateful for that.

What would you improve about this program?
The language barrier was of course a bit of an issue, but also it was a challenge that I was ready to face, and it made me think of new ways to communicate. So basically I developed from this.
Response from

Hey Sophie,

It was amazing to read and learn about your wonderful experience on our Care project in Sri Lanka. We hope to see you on another one of our projects; you’d be welcome back with open arms.

Gishan Perera, Country Director for Sri Lanka

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Micol
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Volunteering Program

I decided to travel to Ghana for the medical volunteering program to understand if medicine was really the degree I wanted to study. It was pleasing to know I was following the right path, which wouldn’t have been possible without this experience.

The first impression was not really good, as I arrived to the airport and found an unpleasing weather and couldn’t find the staff members who were supposed to take me to the hotel. But after this first moment, I felt very welcomed. I spent the first night in the capital (Accra) and the day after traveled to Cape Coast, where I met the other volunteers. I believe that what made my experience special, besides the wonderful activities, was my group, that was composed by a variety of nationalities. Thanks to them, I developed team work abilities, time management, and learned not only about Ghana’s culture, but also about my friends’ culture.

All the bonding was linked to the activities I did, such as community services, travels to the leprosy camp, awareness lessons about malaria and cholera in local schools and day spent at the city hospital to observe the nurse and doctors’ work. I couldn’t have done none of them without the help of our supervisor, Mohammed, that was always careful to show us the right procedures and made sure everything was fine.

The only complain I would make is about the food, which wasn’t very good, but bearable for three weeks.

I hope everyone who decides to live the same experience will find it as pleasing and amazing as I did. And I strongly recommend this program to any student who is studying, or willing to, medicine. :))

Response from

Hi Micol,
Thank you for your brilliant review. It's warming to know that we are able to provide such beneficial experience for both the volunteer and the recipient community. Your hard work and effort towards the High School Specials Medicine project in Ghana is greatly appreciated. We hope to see you again on one of our projects or internships.

Emmanuel Abaaja, Country Director for Ghana

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Karissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Care Project in Nepal

I am a solo traveler from Australia and then was my first time traveling overseas on my own. While any new experience has its nerves, Projects Abroad were there to support me. From the induction on my first day, weekly cafe meet ups, group supervision and our whatsapp group chat I had support to flourish in this environment and make the most of my project. I volunteered in a school for children with disabilities and as a social work student used my skills to promote different teaching styles for children with disabilities to extend their learning experience and outcomes. In a classroom where English is limited this is quite difficult to achieve but through my ProjectsAbroad supervisors guidance I was able to achieve this in a way that didn't undermine the teacher but still allowed the children to benefit. My highlight was seeing one of the little girls smile while learning words in English. Another aspect of my trip that surprised me was the social side- I was on my own in Nepal, quite shy and didn't expect to mingle but ProjectsAbroad supported this with weekly activities so that I met new people and we would all go out and travel on weekends. These social activities like scavenger hunts, traditional cooking, yoga and trivia brought people from all over the world together and was a great opportunity to get to know each other. This gave me the confidence to travel around with the group and visit 8/10 world heritage sites in Nepal and travel to several different towns to experience more of the country. Overall this trip was empowering for me as a young woman as it not only allowed my to do something that I love- working with children but it put me out of my comfort zone and demonstrated that I really can do anything I set my mind to. This was my big crazy adventure and I'd recommend it to anyone who is willing to embrace the unique country that is Nepal.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
To future travellers I say be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone. I know it can be terrifying but its so worth it in the confidence you get from it. Also being in a foreign country sometimes doesn't agree with your stomach so make sure you pack hydrolyte, or gastrostop to get through the tricky situations like 9hr bus rides.
Response from

Karissa, wow!
Thank you for your incredible review. Projects Abroad and the local community really appreciate your hard work towards the Care project in Nepal. We’re here anytime to help you organise your next meaningful adventure.

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal