Program Reviews

Not only was it incredible to interact with elephants up close, but the local guides, communities who hosted us, the culture of the places we stayed, and the people I traveled with were all SO amazing. This trip was enriching, transformative, and meaningful beyond description. I grew during the trip, but also it somehow made me feel more like myself, too!! I am so grateful that I went on this trip.

If you are someone who loves nature, is curious about other cultures, and/or just want to add an adventure to the books, I cannot recommend this trip enough!!

Travelling with this group was a life changing experience for me and showed me that there is so much this beautiful world has to offer. The way the guides opened their hearts to strangers and welcomed us in made it really easy to get comfortable with them. They are such a close group of friends too and I really enjoyed their group dynamic. Their planning makes it really easy to go with the flow and if you just show up on time with a positive attitude then youre gonna have an absolute blast.

The trip also had a really nice balance of volunteering, fun adventures, and activities that the local people led to give us an insight into the life and culture of Thailand. Really reset my mentality on how much was possible in 24 hours and showed me that I am much more capable that I thought I was.

And finally, the fellow volunteers. If youre nervous then thats totally normal because so was I! What I'll say is that youll never meet a more like minded group of individuals, no matter how different we all appeared on the surface. Everyone blended together so well and it was incredible for me to see how well strangers could get along and become life long friends. It only happens if you take the leap of faith so just do it!!

I traveled with GIVE to Laos in the summer of 2026 and the trip impacted me in ways I never thought possible.

The volunteer projects included building a road up to the village of Sop Chem, and teaching English to the local children. Each project was so important and taught me a lot about hard work and dedication.

The adventures we went on were always so fun yet informative. We got to go to: the UXO museum to learn how Laos was impacted by (and continues to be affected by) the Vietnam War; the Save the Bears wildlife refuge; hiking; camping under the stars; swimming in different waterfalls; and so much more. There was never a dull moment.

While the volunteer work and fun adventures were great, they are not the most enjoyable part of the trip. The most memorable part was just interacting with and working alongside the local people in Sop Chem each day. The people in Laos may not have many physical riches but they are so rich compassion, community, and love. They taught me to always live in the moment, accept the uncertainty of uncomfortable situations, and to appreciate the little things. Even though there was a language barrier, I still have such a strong connection with many of the women there and I’ll always value the many lessons they taught me.

If you are wanting to step out of your comfort zone, volunteer on amazing projects, and travel the world, I highly recommend traveling with GIVE!

I did the Thailand and Elephant experience with GIVE.
Traveling to Thailand with GIVE was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I gained a completely new perspective on the world, conservation, and my own place within it.

From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in a culture that values community, kindness, and connection. Thailand's breathtaking landscapes, vibrant traditions, and welcoming people made every day unforgettable. But what truly changed me was the opportunity to learn about ethical elephant tourism and conservation.

Before this trip, my understanding of elephant tourism was limited to what I had seen online and in travel advertisements. Like many travelers, I didn't fully understand the impact that certain tourist activities can have on these incredible animals. Through GIVE, I was able to learn directly from local experts and conservationists about the challenges elephants face and the importance of responsible, ethical tourism.

Spending time around rescued elephants was both humbling and eye-opening. Rather than riding or exploiting these animals for entertainment, we observed them in environments that prioritized their well-being and natural behaviors. Watching elephants interact with one another, forage, and simply exist in a way that respected their needs gave me a much deeper appreciation for their intelligence and emotional complexity.

The experience challenged me to think critically about the choices I make as a traveler. I realized that tourism has the power to either harm or help, depending on how we engage with local communities, wildlife, and conservation efforts. GIVE showed me that responsible travel can create positive change when it supports ethical practices and empowers local people.

Beyond the elephant conservation work, the trip pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best possible ways. I formed meaningful friendships, gained confidence, and learned the value of living with intention and gratitude. Every day offered opportunities to learn, serve, and connect on a deeper level than I ever expected.

Looking back, Thailand was more than just a destination—it was a life-changing journey. The lessons I learned about conservation, sustainable tourism, and global citizenship continue to influence how I travel and how I view the world. GIVE didn't just show me Thailand; it helped me see life from an entirely new perspective.

I would recommend this experience to anyone seeking more than a typical vacation. If you're looking for personal growth, cultural immersion, and a meaningful understanding of ethical wildlife tourism, traveling to Thailand with GIVE is an experience that will stay with you long after you return home.

If someone had told me a year ago that a flyer on the back of a bathroom stall door would lead to one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, I never would have believed them.

My two weeks in Thailand with GIVE Volunteers exceeded every expectation I had. I came into this trip excited but nervous, unsure if I was ready to travel halfway around the world with a group of strangers. I left with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and a completely new perspective on community, sustainability, and global citizenship.

One of the most impactful parts of the trip was working in the village of Mueng Khong, where I had the opportunity to teach English to local children and learn from the community that welcomed us so warmly. The villagers shared their culture, traditions, dances, crafts, and way of life with us, and I will always be grateful for their kindness and generosity. It never felt like we were simply visiting—we were welcomed with open arms.

The local guides were truly the heart of this experience. Their stories, resilience, and passion inspired me every day. Learning about the challenges they overcame to pursue education and create opportunities for their communities gave me a deeper appreciation for perseverance, gratitude, and service.

Beyond the volunteer work, the experiences were unforgettable. From working on permaculture projects and visiting Pun Pun Sustainability Farm to trekking through the jungle, bamboo rafting, campfires under the stars, and meaningful late-night conversations, every day challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the present moment.

More than anything, this trip reminded me of the importance of human connection. Despite coming from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, I was constantly reminded of how much we all have in common.

Thailand gave me memories that will last a lifetime, but more importantly, it gave me perspective. I left with a fuller heart, a broader worldview, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a global community.

Thank you, GIVE Volunteers, the local communities, and everyone who made this experience possible. This was more than a trip—it was a chapter of my life that I will carry with me forever.

This trip was truly life changing and an absolutely amazing experience!!! The guides were one of a kind and I will forever be thankful that I took the leap and went on such an amazing adventure. I grew and changed in so many ways that I never could have imagined. This was the best experience of my life. I would truly recommend this trip to anyone and everyone who wants to seek something fun and exciting outside of their comfort zone and I hope that I get to have more experiences like this! KapKunKa!

This was an amazing experience. I did the Zanzibar trip. It was amazing to get to know all the locals and be immersed into their community in the village of Kairo. They are lovely people that taught me a lot about how to live my own life back home. It was also great to see the work that we did be used in the community, as well as seeing exactly where the money is going to help these people. I highly recommend taking a trip with GIVE, especially the Zanzibar program. Our guides were amazing and became a second family to me.

I had such an amazing experience with Give volunteers. I had my first Give trip this past spring break from March 14th through the 21st in Costa Rica. The trip was amazing and I had such a beautiful experience with everything my group and I got to do and everyone worked so well together. My guides were amazing! I loved working in the garden and helping kids with their English, going to a local restaurant and cabins called Kaniki to speak Spanish with this wonderful lady named Rita (I got to pet the cat and big, sweet dog too), and the food was delicious not to mention really fresh and healthy. By the end of the trip, our group had cried together a number of times, and we are like family now. We will totally be seeing one another in the near future, just a matter of when. I cried tears of joy on the plane home as the memories from the trip played through my mind. I felt like I made a difference, and that feeling has carried over into my motivations to make a difference back home :)

This GIVE program provided more than I could have ever thought. These people care about you (the company & the local community) it’s not just another traveling organization, they actually want people to be emerged and enjoy all elements of the trip. I loved my time in Costa Rica. Loudest shoutout to my tour guides, they created an atmosphere rooted in comfort, kindness, and an adventurous spirit. If you have a doubt, please squash it and leap into this opportunity. Warmly- a very happy GIVE traveler.

This trip was amazing! Genuinely life changing for me, and many of my friends agree. We planted native trees, removed invasive blackberries, and visited several historic museums to learn about the Snoqualmie tribe. I had to opportunity to learn about all the native trees we planted- Big Leaf Maple, Western Red Cedar, Grand Fir, Spruce, and Douglas Firs! I learned so much about the culture of the area, the salmon habitats we worked near, and how I can live a more sustainable and educated life style. Thank you GIVE!!!