Program Reviews

I chose to do a GVI program because I had just finished a MSc in Marine Conservation and wanted to get more in field experience. I did the Curieuse, Seychelles Program for 10 weeks (Oct-Dec) and it was amazing! It took me about a week to adjust to living in such different conditions than I was used to but by the end I didn't want to go back to living in my house again and wished I could stay for longer. The accommodation was the old leper colony female dormitories and the only people on the island were us and the rangers who stayed on the other side of the island. And of course there were tourists that came for day trips. The staff there were amazing and really helped you feel welcome on the island along with the two dogs that lived on base. I feel that I have definitely learned and experienced so many things that will help me in my future career. Some of these were working in hot and tiring conditions as a part of a team, being around people 24/7, and adapting to limited equipment in sometimes stressful moments. But this trip was so amazing that I would love to go back again to see the sharks, turtles and tortoises that we surveyed everyday, and exploring the other islands in the Seychelles again. I have also made some lifelong friends from this trip and am waiting to save up and go on another GVI program around the world

I have just completed my second trip to GVI Fiji, both times doing the community development internship.
Firstly, living within the community is a great experience and it enhances the whole experience. I found myself able to go and socialise with my adopted family in the village and hang out at the beach stargazing with my friends. Being able to be within the village enhances the education and experience of a new culture.
Secondly, the staff and management are excellent, and I have learnt so much valuable knowledge and experience from them. The support network is incredible and feels like a big family.
Thirdly, the internship has greatly improved my CV with my most recent employers being impressed by my time in Fiji; and love to ask me numerous questions in regard to my time with GVI and Fiji.

I can't vouch for GVI enough, and the staff and running of Fiji is incredible. I have made lifelong friends in Fiji. My second time was joined by another intern from my first visit in 2020.

I absolutely loved my time in Chiang Mai with GVI. I spent a month volunteering, which involved elephant hikes, base activities, interacting with the local community, learning the local language, mornings at the nursery and so much more. The staff are so incredibly helpful, kind and caring and only care about your health, safety and enjoyment on the programme. I cannot recommend GVI enough and Chiang Mai is the perfect place for anyone looking for adventure, whether it’s solo or group travels. I will definitely be back in the future!

In October, I volunteered for a week with GVI Phang Nga, as part of Go Overseas' On the GO site visits perk for team members!

I spent half the week participating in the conservation project and the rest of the week with the community project, helping with English lessons. The staff on base are so knowledgable and passionate about what they do, and really care about the volunteers and the community.

1 week did not feel long enough for volunteering, so I do recommend staying longer if you can, to help make a more positive impact.

I will always cherish my time in Ban Nam Khem and miss getting Thai iced teas from the shop across from base :)

I recently spent four weeks volunteering with GVI in Cahuita, Costa Rica. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. After only four weeks I had completely fallen in love with the staff, the other volunteers, and the work we were doing in Cahuita National Park.

We spent most of our days conducting surveys in Cahuita National Park. The surveys contributed to Cahuita National Park's conservation efforts. While on a survey, it was common to see sloths, raccoons, eyelash palm vipers, monkeys, and a few different species of frogs and lizards.

For the birders out there, we conducted several surveys solely dedicated to research on the birds in Cahuita National Park. I saw violaceous and slaty-tailed trogons, keel-billed toucans, white-collared manakins, montezuma oropendolas, and countless other bird species on a regular basis.
We also had the opportunity to watch the migration of several migratory bird species, such as the osprey, turkey vulture and swaisons hawk, from a bird tower in the heart of the Kéköldi Indigenous Reserve. From the top of the bird tower you have a beautiful view of the ocean, the surrounding forest, and the birds flying overhead. We were able to watch the birds fly right above us and help Kéköldi hawkwatch count the migrating birds.

On the weekends, myself, and the other volunteers spent our time exploring Cahuita and neighboring places. We visited the Jaguar Rescue Center in Limón. We went snorkeling at Punta Cahuita. We went shopping and visited the white sand beaches in Puerto Viejo.

Volunteering with GVI in Cahuita, Costa Rica is the ideal opportunity for any animal lover interested in studying and protecting the incredible wildlife in Costa Rica. And, in addition, to being an amazing experience, volunteering with GVI is a worthwhile way to jumpstart a career in conservation. Those looking for a meaningful way to spend a gap year or semester; those who are considering a career in conservation, or those who are simply interested in doing a little bit of good while living on the coast in one of the most picturesque countries in the world, should check out this program.

When I signed up for GVI I was expecting the ordinary volunteer program and let me express there is nothing ordinary about GVI. It all starts before departure, where your Support Coordinator goes above and beyond making sure that all the enquiries, in case they are any left, are answered. Guiding you through every single step of the way, with the smallest factor that you can imagine. E.G. I was helped and guided through the whole visa process on how to fill my application.

I never felt left behind through my time before, during and after. At my arrival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is where I did my program, my suitcase did not make it and the program coordinator made sure to take care of the situation as soon as he was aware. Figured a way out to have my suitcase with me within the week, when we were 4-5 hours out from the airport. Everyone was so devoted to what we were doing in the community and the fact that the sense of family and belonging was very dominant. The village was very welcoming and learning from each other made of everyday a beautiful journey. The time wasn’t enough I could have stayed there for months, gracefully. Joy sparks everywhere you look in the community its people and the staff.

Seeing how GVI has taken on responsibly to help this community is beautiful to witness. Respecting literally surrounding them, the culture, the village, nature and all its people. My experience was so great that I booked my next trip while in Thailand, because I could not get enough of it and I was ready to take on another adventure as soon as possible.

In September 2022 I volunteered with GVI Chiang Mai for 3 weeks. I got to experience so many incredible things and I made memories that will last a lifetime. Seeing elephants in their natural forest homes was awe inspiring and seeing their relationship with the local village and mahouts was eye opening. I really enjoyed living in a homestay and developing a close bond with my host family, teaching in the nursery became a weekly highlight and seeing Gibbons in the forest was truest special. I fell in love with the village and the project there and can’t wait to return to keep helping the project move forward. Would highly recommend to anyone who loves conservation and community work.

I was lucky enough to go on the Tenerife Marine Conservation project as a volunteer and couldn’t recommend it enough. Taking a gap year after school I wanted to make sure that I travelled, got some new experiences and contributed something. I came across GVI and was welcomed immediately, the level of support available to me was above my expectations especially since I had a few unfortunate experiences. With bags missing I got very close to the lovely participants there - sharing clothes on day 1! While I went along as a volunteer, as opposed to an intern, I still believe that I gained an immense amount of knowledge and experience doing things I never thought I would, and of course who could forget the amazing wildlife. This GVI program has definitely set me on an unexpected course that I will never forget and can’t wait to explore somewhere new soon! I think if I could choose I would have definitely stayed longer, while I experienced a lot in one month, I do feel like I missed out on exploring some things that I would have liked to. The accommodation was amazing, while you do share rooms with the other participants, it wasn’t too difficult to find some time alone or make a call if you wanted to.

I spent 8 weeks in Thailand at the Phang Nga base doing marine conservation.

The staff are so welcoming and passionate, and i made some amazing friends through living with the other volunteers on base.

Getting to learn about and care for green seat turtles was amazing and definitely the highlight of my time. You can really see the positive impact you are having on their well-being.

I can honestly say you will not regret signing up to a GVI programme, Thailand was my first experience with GVI and i don’t intend for it to be my last!

I spent 2 weeks on the Whale and Dolphin Marine Conservation Program in Tenerife in the hope of making the most of my last summer before I start looking for a job. I had heard about the incredible experience my friends had had on their GVI programs, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my last summer of freedom than joining one of the conservation projects myself. It was the first time I had travelled abroad alone, and I was nervous as to how well I would cope being so far away from home. However, I couldn’t have felt more at home than I did. The staff were always available to talk to and help with any concerns I had. They also made sure everyone kept the base clean and tidy which, after living in student housing of varying cleanliness for the past few years, I was very grateful for. As for living with the other volunteers, everyone was so welcoming that within a few days I was already dreading the day I had to go home. One thing I did, however, wish was different was how repetitive the weekly schedule was. I think if I had stayed significantly longer, I would have really struggled with this. However, I am fully aware that to create the large, reliable datasets needed for the project, repetitive data collection is needed. Even with this, I LOVED my time at the GVI Canary Islands base and I am already considering joining another of the bases on one of the people-based projects.