Program Reviews

I went to South Africa for the animals, but the highlight of my experience were the friends I made during my trip (although the animals were absolutely amazing!) I met so many like minded people of various backgrounds and cultures, and during time off I had the opportunity to travel and meet the locals. I learnt a lot during my time on Karongwe Game Reserve, staff were very informative and passionate about what they do. I thoroughly enjoyed getting hands on with camera traps, research drives and participating in surveys, going from watching this sort of stuff in documentaries to actually doing it myself was an incredible opportunity. The accommodation was definitely basic but I didn't mind this, I found it added to the experience.

My experience with GVI was great! My program was very well organised and the staff were so friendly and helpful. I was able to engage in very rewarding work and I felt like I was really making a difference. I had the opportunity to meet some great people. I would definitely use GVI again and I highly recommend them!
The location of my program was great, as I was able to spend my free time exploring the city with other volunteers. (eg, going to the circus, visiting an elephant sanctuary, seeing a lotus farm)

I loved my time with GVI. I was volunteering in Costa Rica for the environment and the people. I felt safe and welcomed. I learned so much about life their and the environment. I even got to see a baby turtle. I was taken cared of at all times, even when my bag didn't arrive with me to Costa Rica, GVI did everything to get it to me even when we were 6 hours away from the airport. It was such an eye opening experience. I would 100% recommend doing this, it teaches you so much about Costa Rica and the impact of the environment on turtes.

I completed GVI's marine conservation internship in Mexico for 6 weeks. It was an incredible experience. The staff in base were amazing and I was able to compelted my Advanced Open Water and Coral Reef Restoration Diver speciality while I was there. I was assigned to coral and worked my way up to be able to lead Coral Watch dives where we surveyed the level of bleaching the corals were experiencing.

We would also take part in weekly beach cleans and I helped work in the coral lab too where they're nurturing corals before replanting them on the reef when they're a bit bigger.

On weekends we were free to explore. I snorkelled with whale sharks, dived in cenotes, swam in bioluminescent algae and visited the historic pyramid in Chichén Itzá.

It was truly an amazing experience and I met some wonderful people along the way too!!

Amazing experience! I cannot explain this in any other way. This has been the best experience of my life so far! From start to finish it was incredible.
I completed 4 weeks in Ghana with GVI, as a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) volunteer and was able to partake in a number of different projects. My favourite being ‘self-care for boys’ teaching about mental health and ways to look after it.
The work GVI undertakes in the community of Kokrobite has such a positive impact particularly in the schools that projects are undertaken. I worked with some amazing staff and participants that all showed tremendous dedication to the work we were carrying out. The staff were all so welcoming from start to finish, always available if needed or just for a chat about life in general. The conversations had here will be held dear to me for many years to come.
My time in Ghana consisted of teaching, painting, playing in a football game, exploring the local community, and visiting other regions of Ghana. I learnt about the history of Cape Coast and had a weekend in Adda. The weekends were free time with GVI staff arranging trips for participants at an extra cost, I cannot recommend doing these trips enough!
I have been able to develop my skills and will take these with me for the rest of my life.
I would recommend GVI Ghana to absolutely anyone wanting to volunteer abroad and make an impact, this impact may not be seen but hopefully in the long term it’ll be there. It is important to keep an open mind and fully immerse yourself into the culture and opportunities available because this allowed me to experience so much more!
GVI Ghana has my heart, it will be a birthday I will never forget and hopefully I will be back soon 😊

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with GVI Ghana. The passion the staff show for the work here enables all participants to have a meaningful impact on the community in Kokrobite. The lessons taught to the children in school are designed and delivered in a way that offers maximum impact, creating last impressions that will hopefully benefit them for years to come. The culture on base is vibrant and friendly; it really feels like home. The community members are always so welcoming and seem genuinely happy that we are there. Thank you GVI Ghana for having me!

I took part in the 4-week internship on Curieuse Island, Seychelles and had an amazing time. The staff are very friendly and I met likeminded people from all over the world. We were focused on collecting data on turtle hatching success, giant Aldabra tortoises and measuring baby lemon sharks. The programme was based on a beautiful island that we got to know well on our daily hikes. As well as gaining knowledge in new conservation methods, it was also extremely beneficial on a personal development level. I would recommend GVI to anyone passionate about making a positive difference, pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone and learning more about themselves and the world. The only downside was that the internship was not very different from what the volunteers were doing, and I didn’t get the chance to lead a project as had been suggested. Other than that, I can’t wait to go again!

The GVI experience is one I wish everybody had the chance to have! The staff are so kind and welcoming. The activities are challenging and fulfilling, but still fun. I personally went on GVI Costa Rica, which was a great trip. You really get to know the locals and the meaning of the work you are doing. It is truly an eye opening experience. You get to meet o many people, from a wide range of places, which is really nice. It opens your eyes to more than just Costa Rica’s culture, but you get to learn about culture form all over the world as well.

My first experience of volunteering was with GVI in Nepal, I was very excited but also apprehensive as i didn't know what to expect. I had the most amazing time and met incredible people who I will never forget. The ladies were so open to learning and to see their progress over the six weeks was uplifting and humbling.
I also worked with the children, doing simple things like arts and crafts had them wide eyed with amazement, it was such a pleasure to see their faces and when we did sports they joined in and had so much fun.
GVI staff were so supportive, especially as i had a bereavement during my stay. there was so much to at weekends, which allowed me to find out more about the country and culture

I had an amazing time volunteering on an under 18s program in Thailand and would so strongly recomend GVI under 18 programs. The staff on the trip were very nice and did a very good job working to make the trip flow well and make sure everyone was okay. I did so many fun activities and felt very safe throughout the entire trip and made such amazing friends and memories. Overall, I would say I feel very privileged to have been able to have had such an amazing opportunity and could not recomend GVI under 18 program more.