Program Reviews

The GIVE Elephant Experience was truly the greatest experience I have ever had! This trip was a long time coming for me and from the moment I booked it, GIVE was extremely helpful, thorough and always reassuring. When I arrived in Thailand I was greeted with amazing energy from P'Dee and felt welcome immediately. P'Ann and P'phon also always met you with a smile and open arms and I couldn't speak more highly of them! Cassidy, our 4th guide, was the kindest person you'll ever meet. She was so helpful throughout the trip and an amazing person to talk to. The guides were all so comforting and they made us laugh and smile each and everyday. My absolute favorite part of the trip was how hands on we got to be at the Elephant Freedom Village, it was life changing to experience feeding and bathing adult and baby elephants. Another favorite part of mine was the down time we had and the car rides where we got to interact and learn so much about al the other people in our group. I met so many different people and made some real friends for life. I loved that every person we met in Thailand had so much passion for their country, the elephants and life in general. The trip was so organized from start to finish and we were given a very thorough itinerary each day to follow so you knew exactly what to wear, what we were doing and exact times. I could go on and on with how amazing this trip was for me, I wish I could stay in Thailand forever! So thank you so much GIVE for giving me this opportunity, I hope to join another group in the future!

5 stars!!!!! Going on GIVE trips has opened my eyes to responsible traveling and how to respect cultures while I am on trips. I am in awe of the meticulous coordination and execution of these trips. The Thailand Hill Tribes and Laos trips have left an everlasting impact on my life and how I will move throughout my days. The staff are unmatched. I have found a family for life through these programs. The generosity and kindness is unconditional and I could not have asked for a better experience. Thank you GIVE!!!

Honestly the best 2 weeks of my life. I had a blast and have made many memories on this trip I will never forget. First of all, the guides were awesome and amazing people. Very friendly, easy to to talk to, and always checking up on you and making sure you are having fun. The group I was with were also amazing and always had excellent energy throughout the whole trip. Everyone was willing to connect, share stories, play games, and let their authenticity show. I really loved the way the trip was organized and scheduled. We knew what time to wake up, go to sleep, when we were going to do our activities, etc. It was very educational and I learned a lot about the people, the culture, the environment, and the problems the country faces. I loved the diversity in activities and how we actually connected and exchanged cultural ideas with locals in rural communities that you don’t usually get to see. Overall, a 10/10. Would totally go on another trip in the future!

I had an amazing experience being able to travel abroad in such a sustainable manner. I met wonderful people in my group as well as immersed myself with locals in Costa Rica. I felt completely safe yet positively pushed in all circumstances to become a better person. This was such a unique experience that I could never replicate outside of Give. We made a true impact, volunteering at a local farm that practices permaculture which was also very educational, and then volunteering at a local school helping to maintain the garden Give had built in years prior.

GIVE did it again with giving me a second 10/10 trip! The Laos team is nothing short of AMAZING, inspiring, and smart and I am grateful to have gotten to travel with them and learn from them all. Being in the village of Sop Chem was special as I became close to several locals and had the privilege of gaining knowledge of their culture. Beginning with breakfast and ending the day with “good vibes” this organization does one incredible job establishing a personalized and thoughtful itinerary for us travelers. It was an amazing experience working with locals while constructing a road and teaching English to the students of Sop Chem! I also appreciate the pay now, book later option making trips like these more accessible for college students like me! Thanks again GIVE, looking forward to Tanzania and Zanzibar!

My overall experience was excellent! I really felt like a family in the community through our various community service activities such as painting houses, releasing baby sea turtles, teaching English to the local kids, and participating in beach clean ups. I really enjoyed feeling welcomed into the country by the locals and not simply feeling as a disconnected tourist. Nicaragua is a beautiful country and I am so glad GIVE allowed me the opportunity to experience it in the way I did and really feel connected with the locals. If I were to have traveled on my own to Nicaragua, it wouldn't have been the same. All of the transportation (aside from flights) was taken care of by the organization which made the trip stress free! We went from a small fishing town Jiquilillo, to the City of Leon to Volcan Telica, to Cerro Negro, to Laguna de Apoyo, and ended it in Managua before we went home. I recommend traveling with give at least once in your life to truly experience the culture to where you're traveling to.

Every day was packed full of fun and educational activities! The guides did absolutely everything to make the trip go smoothly and to ensure you were enjoying the trip to the fullest. Overall the trip was organized extremely well and I felt prepared everyday for the events that lied ahead. You fully get immersed in the culture of Thailand through visiting different villages and trying different food. This trip truly gives you an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things.

GIVE 🌳
I don’t think I could ever fully express how grateful I am. My recent volunteer trip to Costa Rica opened my eyes to an incredible amount of compassion, resilience, and gratitude for everything I am blessed with in my everyday life. This experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and challenged me in ways I never expected. Throughout this journey, I learned that I am capable of stepping outside my comfort zone and enduring difficult moments—whether it was not being able to contact home every day or rewearing cold, wet socks. While these challenges seemed small at first, they taught me patience, adaptability, and appreciation for the present moment. One of the most impactful lessons I learned was about permaculture and sustainability, particularly how much of Costa Rica’s soil has been severely depleted. Years of harsh chemical use—especially fertilizers and pesticides used in large-scale banana and plantain farming—have stripped the soil of its natural nutrients. Seeing this firsthand helped me understand how deeply these practices affect not only the land, but also the people, wildlife, and communities that depend on it. Learning sustainable farming methods showed me how healing the land is possible through intentional care and respect for nature. Most importantly, this experience reshaped my understanding of what it means to be rich. Wealth is not measured by money or material possessions, but by happiness, connection, and community. I learned that children do not need social media, name-brand items, or material things to feel fulfilled. True happiness comes from being surrounded by a loving family, a supportive community, and a strong connection to the earth. Planting a fruit tree, allowing it to grow naturally, and nurturing it over time is its own form of wealth. This experience has left a lasting impact on my heart, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life.

Life-changing experience. If you’re having doubts, sign up. I got back from the Costa Rica trip a week ago, and I still can’t stop thinking about the deep human connection, memories, and sustainable impact I left on another country. We got the chance to swim in natural pools, go ziplining beside a volcano, witness sloths and spider monkeys in cloud forests, go whitewater rafting in class III and IV rapids, and so much more. Even more valuable was the volunteer work we were able to do. We stayed for four days at Finca las Hormigas, a permaculture farm dedicated to regenerative soil practices and ecosystem balance. From learning about the three components of healthy soil and crossing tree bridges to pick lemons, to sifting and shoveling compost, every action had a goal in mind: to use that soil to cultivate the fruit trees of Gandoca School, a local elementary school, and to teach the elementary schoolers about regenerative agricultural practices. First time in my life that I was able to combine my love of travel with being a part of a sustainable global revolution! Loved it so much!! This will be one of your core memories so just do it. Sign up, take the trip, and be inspired by like-minded individuals who have a goal to be the roots of change! Best advice for you if you’re reconsidering is to just go, I promise you won’t regret it!

Came for the whitewater rafting, stayed for the amazing people! As my second trip with Give, I was once again blown away by the amazing staff and fellow volunteers. The people are the reason I keep choosing Give. The Give guides have so much inspiration to share while supporting us and ensuring a fun and enjoyable trip. Many travelers arrived by themselves and created lasting bonds with each other. Give ensures the itinerary is packed full of exciting and inspirational experiences. This trip extends from San Jose to the Atlantic Coast so you are able to see more of the country than other programs. Also, the accommodations were amazing! Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone (limited water water, bugs, humidity) but it is so worth it. I learned a lot about Costa Rica, permaculture, cocoa, but a lot about myself and community as well. The primary volunteer project we worked on was providing soil for a low-funded school. We learned how to make soil using already available resources at a permaculture farm and used it to grow fruit trees and yuca plants in the school courtyard that will be served in school lunches.