Program Reviews

I did an elephant conservation internship with GVI in Northern Thailand & absolutely loved it. I got to learn so much about elephants and other endangered species in their ecosystem like gibbons.

I enjoyed my time on base in the village connecting with people from all around the world and locals, who taught me so much about their culture.
I definitely left with a bigger understanding of the difficulties & importance of elephant & biodiversity conservation while gaining insight of a culture that only a few people in this world have heard of.

Highly recommend!

My two weeks of volunteering with GVI in Tenerife has come to an end, and it’s been an incredible experience!

I loved every moment—meeting amazing people from around the world, heading out on the boat to observe pilot whales, and identifying their fins back at base. Spotting loggerhead sea turtles and Atlantic spotted dolphins was also a highlight! I also enjoyed the bus trip with the group to Santa Cruz to go exploring for the day.

If you’re passionate about marine conservation and want to volunteer abroad, I highly recommend giving this a look!

I spent 2 weeks teaching English in Siem Reap and it was the most incredible experience that I will never forget.

The GVI staff were extremely welcoming, supportive and completely professional. Helena, Theary and Lon are the most wonderful people and have set an inclusive, positive and comfortable environment for everyone. They were also able to cater for a flexible schedule, depending on my interests and my energy levels.

The accommodation at the Secret Garden was outstanding, it really felt like home. The restaurant meals were of a very high quality and the level of service from all hotel staff was exceptional. The setting with its large pool and gardens feels like a sanctuary in the city.

The teaching component was immensely enjoyable, giving me the opportunity to meet Buddhist monks and students of all ages.

The locations for teaching were varied which gave me an insight into both community classes based at a Buddhist pagoda and a rural government school.

The only feedback I can offer as something to consider would be:
1. Offer feedback during the programme to reinforce if we are doing well or provide any tips - as most of us are not teachers and are learning on the spot
2. Provide training prior to starting - ie the types of teaching tools available such as various games, quizzes etc, and an indication of what the teaching topics will include (ie telling the time, frequency words etc). This would allow for some preparation prior to attending classes.

My experience with GVI in Fiji was nothing short of phenomenal. It was a life-changing journey that broadened my horizons and transformed my perspective of the world. Living in the village provided a unique opportunity to fully immerse myself in Fijian culture, surrounded by warm, welcoming locals who treated us like family.

We shared weekly lunches with our host families, cheered on the local boys as they played rugby, attended church to listen to the uplifting hymns, and explored Fiji’s breathtaking landscapes. From scenic hikes to serene beach walks, every view was stunning and unforgettable.

As a Community Development Intern, I had the privilege of engaging in diverse and impactful activities. I taught in local schools, conducted health workshops, contributed to a district waste management project, and designed and implemented a financial literacy initiative for village youth.
Through GVI Fiji, I gained invaluable skills, built lasting connections with incredible people from around the globe, and created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. This experience truly holds a special place in my heart.

The work was really clearly set out from the beginning. With great support and an encouraging and welcoming environment, I was able to complete my program successfully at my own pace and help others as a result. My supervisor played an especially pivotal part in my experience as she definitely made the program a smooth experience. The perfect opportunity for those in gap years or if you’re looking for a career break! Not only does the programme offer the experience but masterclasses, workshops, and online courses.

Ever since I was young I had the travel bug. I searched for ages to find the best travelling programs and I believe I found it when it comes to GVI. The people were amazing especially the guides with not a single moment being dull. The amazing experience and still being friends with the people I traveled with . My trip to Thailand with GVI was one in a life time that I will remember forever being completely immersed in the culture. Meeting so many amazing people. A program that I would recommend to anyone

I had such an amazing experience in Cambodia. It’s not only just the amazing sights to see and the history in Siem Reap, but it’s the people who made it what it was. Getting to know the GVI staff members and always having their support, along with the teachers and students that welcome you with open arms. I came hoping to make a small impact, but instead, I was the one who was inspired by all of the people who were involved in my trip. It was so great to share my trip with the most amazing people.

GVI Siem Reap is a great location for anyone looking for meaningful volunteering projects in a beautiful city
The programmes are well run and there is an enormous amount of support for volunteers. I would definitely recommend it for older or younger volunteers alike. There was a great team spirit on base and the accommodation in The Secret Garden Hotel was stunning. Certainly the best I have ever stayed in and this was my 14th volunteering project! I think what really makes this experience so wonderful though is the beautiful Cambodian people. They have been through so much but are utterly charming, kind, warm and so grateful to those who have come to help them. Their appetite for knowledge and self improvement was inspirational and they really did melt my heart. All in all totally worthwhile and unique experience.

My experience in Tenerife was fin-credible and something that has changed my life for the better. As someone who wants to work in conservation after completing my masters, GVI Tenerife was another educational and inspiring project for me to do, furthering this idea. I cannot wait to undertake another project with GVI (or come back to Tenerife). The time spent on the boat was an aspect of field work I've not experienced before and I loved the data collection and analysis! The team is incredible and make you feel right at home, I've made some incredible memories and friends from this trip and wish I could stay longer! Ale is an absolute legend and boss, she flies round the boat giving us so much info, she's a mad chef too and has put up with my shocking jokes and I'm so glad she didn't sacrifice me to poseidon! Big love to Ale, Woj and Tiny, their knowledge and expertise makes this project FIN-sane!!!

I absolutely loved my volunteer program in Chiang Mai and had already booked to go back before I left! I was originally meant to volunteer to teach on the Phang Nga base, but unfortunately it had to close. This meant I went into the program not too sure what to expect - I was instantly pleasantly surprised. The staff are all lovely and work hard to make sure everyone feels at home. From the moment I started it was obvious how much each of them cared for what they were doing and it was truly inspiring. The volunteering itself was amazing. There are always millions of different opportunities for teaching, such as going into school or nursery aswell as teaching individuals in the evenings. I also really enjoyed learning about the elephants. I went in as a teaching volunteer so knew very little about asian elephants in general, but was able to join hikes, take data and watch presentations. I have now learnt so much more about conservation and what they experience in Thailand/Asia. My favourite thing about the program as a whole was the community feel, you truly begin to feel like a family - which is encouraged through the homestays. My homestay, the staff and everyone on base were super friendly and enhanced my experience. The village itself is gorgeous and the views indescribable. There are always activities to do such as, camping, learning the language, campfires, night hikes, ect. I loved every moment of my program and would recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad!