GIVE Volunteers

GIVE Volunteers Reviews

Bianca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most incredible experience ever

This GIVE experience changed my life and was completely unforgettable. Our guides, P’Chiarra, P’Dee, P’Pohn Pohn and P’Anne made this trip magical and so so special. It taught me the importance of ethical tourism and that we all have to do our part in educating ourselves on these issues that could hurt our beautiful world. It helped me realize that I could be part of a smaller ripple that could make a bigger wave. I plan to share my experience to inspire others by educating others about ecotourism and the mission that GIVE dedicates themselves too. I want others to be able to see experience everything me and my group did and see how beautiful our world can be when we step out of our comfort zones and take that leap. Thank you GIVE for the best trip of my entire life and for changing the perspective of my life. This company made me realize how I want to move forward with my own career and do my own part in this mission.

What was your funniest moment?
Elephant trekking was probably one of the hardest things I had to do and I had to push myself past my limits. The experience was so incredibly rewarding and by reminding myself that I can do it and that it’s only half a day of a mahouts life, I was able to push myself to be able to do it.
Loralei
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Trip in Thailand

This summer I had the chance to go on the Thailand experience with GIVE and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I learned many things about Thai culture, Karen culture, other people from different parts of the US, and myself. Between teaching children English in the village of Mueang Khong to doing permaculture at different locations to visiting the tribe villages of Ba Kao Lam and Pong Ngen, I was able to grow so much as an individual and see other people grow. I was able to get really close to my fellow volunteers, but also my amazing guides. Each of the local guides brought something special to the trip and taught me many new things. They were very open and willing to share their culture with us and learn about ours in turn. Everyone in my group bonded together and created a family; each and every one of them made a difference in my life and made me a slightly better person. Thanks to GIVE for having these opportunities to travel and visit local places to immerse ourselves in new cultures.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried many unfamiliar things, but a lizard that one of our guides shot down on the way to the village was probably the most exotic.
Pros
  • Great guides
  • Amazing, fun experiences
  • Beautiful accommodations
Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Amazing Thailand Experience

Traveling to Thailand with GIVE was an unforgettable experience. Building meaningful connections with the guides and local community allowed me to truly immerse myself in the culture and gain a deeper sense of perspective and appreciation. Some of my favorite moments included participating in cooking classes, attending ceremonial dinners, and both teaching and learning in local schools. The adventure didn’t stop there—bungee jumping and bamboo rafting added an extra thrill to the journey. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a life-changing experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Learning that some villages used bamboo rafting as their main form of transportation. It was eye opening to experience bamboo rafting and learn the history behind it.
Pros
  • Pushing my comfort zone
  • Taking risks
  • Bonding with the natives of Thailand
Mikayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

You need to take this trip

This trip is an amazing experience you definitely need to have. You learn new things every step of the way and the guides are so much fun and amazing people to meet and know. Your heart will be left with the kids in the villages, your knowledge of permaculture will be expanded, your view of the world will be opened and you won’t ever forget this trip and experience. It might be scary to go all the way across the world, especially if you do it by yourself but take the adventure learn something new about the world and yourself. Give trips are definitely the way to travel!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I did this all over again I would definitely change how much I really immersed my self in everything we did and I would definitely try harder to make better connections with all the people along the way.
Pros
  • Amazing people
  • Great food
  • So many new experiences to have
What other participants should know
  • Bugs
Sophia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

Traveling to Hawaii with GIVE was the best experience of my life. Going to a place like Hawaii and experiencing the culture in a way most people will never get to was such a blessing. The trip opened up my eyes and reminded me that the world is much bigger than my life I am so used to back home. A goal of mine is to force myself out of my comfort zone, and this trip definitely helped me do that. I was a bit nervous going into the trip, navigating an airport alone for the first time and spending so much time with strangers. But do not let those nerves hold you back at all!! Taking this step was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was able to meet the most incredible people that I now consider close friends. I learned so much about sustainability and how to steward the Earth, as well as so much about myself and my passions. This trip exceeded all my expectations and I could not recommend traveling with GIVE enough :)

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could do this trip again, I would get out of my head, let loose, and be 100% myself! It can be hard to do these things around unfamiliar people, but sometimes I just need to remind myself to stop overthinking and be myself.
Pros
  • You will meet the most incredible people.
  • Experiencing a new culture in the most valuable, meaningful way.
  • Connecting with nature and learning to steward the Earth.
What other participants should know
  • You’ll never want to leave :(
Alyssa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A life-changing trip!

I loved the itinerary! It had a great balance of volunteer work, then fun activities everyday. It was also very organized everyday and in the middle of the trip we had one day where we didn’t do any volunteer work and that was a good break in the 9 days there. All the people I met on trip (including the guides) were all so fun and kind. There is also so much taught about the culture, society, land, and history of Hawai’i. It helps change your perspective on traveling in a better way. You will love this trip if you are an outdoorsy person, like adventure, and like making new friends! That’s how I knew this trip was for me!

What was your funniest moment?
There were many funny moments to be honest! Though two that are memorable are learning where Traven’s (the program guide) hiding spot was after playing hide n seek in the big plantation house. Along with playing Mafia in the dark at that house with everyone.
Pros
  • Met like-minded people.
  • Learned about responsible travel.
  • Had fun everyday.
What other participants should know
  • The food was not the best everyday, but still good!
  • The bugs
Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I love Costa Rica

Traveling with Give will allow you to volunteer, try new foods, see beautiful places, meet wonderful people, and learn a great deal in a short time. No matter who the person is, anyone who comes on a Give trip for the first time will leave the trip with memories to last a lifetime and a new, more profound insight into life. I highly recommend this program to new travelers who are apprehensive about planning their first trip to a foreign country. Every detail is handled for you with Give, allowing you to focus your mental energy on all the great new experiences instead of the frustrating parts of travel. I am so grateful for my time with Give, and I encourage anyone thinking about going on a Give trip themselves to do it!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go on a Give trip with no expectations and allow yourself to experience being in a new country with a group of new people. It might be overwhelming at first, but if you allow yourself the space to change, you will find that you have grown a lot in such a short time.
Pros
  • Community Service
  • Food
  • Friends
What other participants should know
  • Lack of complete freedom
Sofia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Travel With Give!!!!

Going on a give trip was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!! Between the connections I made and the amazing experiences that I get to take home with me. This trip is so diverse. One minute you will be teaching students in local schools and the next you will be in a remote village learning dances and embracing the beautiful culture Thailand has to offer. You also get to trek with an Elephant which is super cool… I truly can say I’ll never forget this experience and plane on going on many more give trips!!! TRAVEL WITH GIVE!!!💚

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Definitely the Bungee Jump!! I was extremely scared to take the step and do it but I did and I have no regrets!! I wanna go again!!!!
Pros
  • You get to meet amazing like minded people
  • You get to try different foods
  • You get to meet a real elephant!!
What other participants should know
  • Saying goodbye (it’s super hard)
Ciara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I dont wanna say goodbye

This trip is truly an amazing experience, I never thought I would learn so much from all the guides and they always make sure to keep us safe and having fun. I have created a community here that I will never forget and these people have pushed me to grow and pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. I can't wait to come back to visit the guides, all the beautiful people and places I met throughout this trip, and my fellow volunteers who have grown to be my family. I just want to keep doing the trip over and over again. I'm gonna miss it.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go into this experience with an open mind and open heart and you will have the time of your life
Sidney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!

This trip was an amazing experience! I found forever friends with the other people that went on my trip and my guides were amazing. Shoutout to P'Ann, P'Dee, and P'Phon for creating a once in a lifetime experience. They are genuinely some of the kindest and most caring people I've ever met. They made me feel safe and cared for in a new enviornment. I can't rave about them enough. The trip itself was also such an amazing experience.v Being up close to all the elephants and learning about the Thai culture was unbelievable and I can't wait to go on another GIVE trip soon!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would tell future travelers to take the time to really talk to their guides. My favorite part of the trip was the connections I made with the guides. I learned so much from them and they impacted me and my experience a lot.