Program Reviews

I've been in Nepal for 4 weeks to do volunteers in the Hospital. Just after I arrived in Nepal I met all the staff and they explain everything to me in a easy way to understand. In my first day I was a little bit shocked of the environment because it was my first time in Asia but after few day I became used to it. In the Hospital in Kathmandu they are really used to have volunteers so they can speak good English and they will make you feel really comfortable. I really recommend this project to Medical student because they will teach you everything and you can try to do so on the next patient. In the Hospital they have enough equipment and staff so your help is not needed so maybe for full doctor I will recommend other project. Remember to bring your white apron because if you don't have one you can't stay in the Hospital. I decided to spend two weeks in Kathmandu and the other two weeks in the Hospital in Bharatpur (Chitwan). In Chitwan the Hospital is smaller but the main problem is that the doctors work there just as OPD so they spend just few hours in the Hospital and you don't have much time to speak with them. So ... during my stay there I spent almost all my time with the nurses who couldn't speak really good English so you must be ready to explain with hand gesture. They will try their best to make you feel at home, but if you have just few weeks I will suggest you to stay just in Kathmandu. In conclusion I must say that both Host family are really kind and helpful so you don't have to worry about anything. Come here !

I completed a two week medical project in Faridabad. Overall this was a good experience and I would recommend it.
-I had a positive experience with IFRE right from the registration to all the correspondence before my trip. It was professional and everything was done in a timely manner.
-The doctors were nice made me feel comfortable and answered any questions I had, and took care of me while I was at the clinic. The doctor at the schools was also generally nice, but not all the time, but good enough.
-The project was also good, both the schools and clinic. Even though I did not have any medical training, I did learn lots going to the schools. At the clinic, it was sometimes hard to understand what was going on due to not a lot of English being spoken, but it was still very enjoyable.
-The host family was nice, and seemed to care about my well being and my stay at their house. Even though their English wasn’t great, it was good enough for most things.

My volunteering experience with my friend at the Wildlife Sanctuary was amazing. The Program surpassed our expectations. People of Costa Rica are very friendly and welcoming. IFRE and its country support staff were very good, always caring for us and making sure everything thing was done as planned.

Weather, people, animals were all amazing in Costa Rica. It is hard for me to explain in words the beauty of Costa Rica and it’s wonderful animals. One must come and explore from themselves. The conservation project was very helpful, I learned a lot and finally I also got a chance to meet new friends from all over the world.

I would recommend the trip to anyone who loves wildlife and wants to experience Costa Rica. We will definitely come back to Costa Rica and volunteer with IFRE again in the near future. Thank you!!!

Me and my friend really enjoyed working in the elephant orphanage, staying with the host family and everything else in Sri Lanka! Thank you IFRE for providing us with this opportunity.

After finishing the 2-weeks volunteering program we also traveled around the island for 12 days. Michael arranged for the driver, hotels and the itinerary. Everything was nice and perfectly arranged. It was definitely a memorable experience- I'm looking forward to doing this again.

Honnestly,It really felt amazing to join the medical program in Thailand. Things were mostly as mentioned in the IFRE website. The visit in Bangkok was just wonderful and khao san road is one of those places that make you smile whenever they cross your mind. Working in the clinic in suring was undeniably instructive for me. Moreover,i was given the chance to feel useful for the community wich was awesome. We helped with the wounds dressing,packing the medications,home visits,baby vaccinations... Most importantly, i appreciated how patient and warmhearted the personnel were. On weekends,our coordinators usually organize some leisure activities for those intersted. I've once went to the elephant village and it's memorable and actually the highlight of my trip. Thank you IFRE for the opportuniy you have given me to broaden my horizon.

IFRE along with my host family (Mama Alice) have done a great job to make this program the best it can be. I found the process of applying very easy and I truly feel like I have gotten my moneys worth. The project is organized, my host family has been unbelievably warm and welcoming, and I've been able to get out and do some side trips on my own to really experience Tanzania. I would highly recommend this program to others.

I worked at a school for poor children and sometimes volunteered at an orphanage. It was a great experience, it was tough too, and devastating to hear some of these children's stories - it makes you feel grateful for everything you've got. The staff at the school and the host family were all lovely, welcoming and open. It wasn't too formal, we had a lot of fun together. Anyone considering dong volunteer work should definitely try this program - don't expect luxury, this is Africa, but expect warmth and joy.

I enjoyed the program very much right from inception to the end. I arrived at the airport and Yeal was waiting for me outside with my name on the Ply board. I was then taken to my host family, who were very nice, accommodating and friendly. The next day I started the program. The first day activities included watching the turtles, analyzing their behavior. Measuring their size and weight, helping and feeding the injured turtles and releasing them once they are recover.

It was definitely a great experience.

I got a lot out of my month voulenteering in Guatemala. I was placed in the Emergency room at the national hospital. While I had little medical experience, I was allowed to assist in the OR and do some simple procedures such as taking vital signs and cleaning wounds. This was all due to my level of comfort and if I had wanted to change, my contact person would be more than accommodating. I participated in two placements during my stay. The other was at an after school program for girls. There I felt highly valued and had a lot of fun. This trip taught me a lot and gave me experiences I could only dream about getting in the US. I would Higly recommend to any person interested in medicine.

I was placed in Moshi, Tanzania by IFRE. I had the most incredible experience. I was originally signed up to work in an Orphanage, but I would have had to walk 45 minutes every day by myself to get to the job. I decided to join the people living in the volunteer house that were teaching at a local school, and in the afternoons I went to the local orphanage that was just 5 minutes away. It was truly life changing, and I could not have asked for a better experience. I am young, only 17. I had been trying to get myself to Africa for about 3 years but the teen programs were always too expensive. I found IFRE because I was trying to find an affordable way to travel to Africa and volunteer, yet still be safe. During my trip I never felt unsafe. Deo, the in country coordinator and owner of the house, was awesome! He was super nice and funny and helped me get set up as soon as I got to Africa. The only complaint I have is that I didn't get my insurance until I was already in Tanzania, when I should have gotten it before. Other than that it was amazing. I created incredible bonds with the children I worked with and with some of the local people in Tanzania. Currently I am still connected to those people through Facebook and email! Because I enjoyed my trip so much, I am planning to go back to Tanzania! I wanted to thank IFRE for giving me the opportunity to have the incredible experience I had.