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!

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!

It was by far the most impactful thing I have ever done in my entire life. It forced me to go out of my comfort zone in so many ways and I learned so much about myself and what I want to do in life. I did things I never thought I would get to do, like teaching english and meditating with monks. It was by far the coolest experience and taught me so much. I grew my skills in sustainability and agriculture, and learned ways I would make a difference. It completely changed the trajectory of my life and I can't wait for my next trip.

There truly aren’t enough words to describe my love for Laos. This trip has been life changing in so many aspects that I can’t even begin to describe. Arriving to the village after a 4 hour car ride and 2 hour boat ride, to see so many smiling faces eager to help you carry your bags is something I will never forget. I will never forget the children and ladies who remembered my name and would say hi to me as I walked through the village. I will never forget the smiles on the kids’ faces every morning as I walked into class. I will never forget the endless piggyback rides that were given to the kids, or the nights that were spent teaching the ladies in the village. I’ll never forget the laughs we shared as a group, the smiles we shared, and even the cries we shared. We shared so many memories that I wish I could go back and experience 1,000 times over again. We ate every meal together, hiked together, rice farmed together, danced with one another, cracked so many jokes together, checked in on eachother… the list goes on. We all endured so much together, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. Without the help of any of my tour guides, none of this would have truly been possible. They gave us pep talk after pep talk and constantly encouraged us. If you were to have told me at the beginning of the trip that I would have been 8,000 miles away from home without service for 9 days and still had the best experience of my life, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, but I’m so glad I can look back at this trip with so much gratitude and love. To the cute kids who helped put a smile on my face when I was down, to the ladies who always uplifted my mood and gave me a laugh when needed, and to the other volunteers and guides who were there for me every step of the way, thank you. Khawp jai lai lai, Laos! You’ll always hold such a special place in my heart

I went on every Southeast Asia trip, and I do not have a single regret. Each trip is unique and provides different opportunities to interact with the country, culture, and people. I genuinely was able to connect with not only those in the group, which I have made some lifelong friends by, but also the locals in every place that I have visited. In Laos specifically, after spending an incredible 9 days in Sop Chem working, teaching, and living with the locals, I feel as if I truly gained a second family. Even though we weren’t able to communicate all the time, I feel as if I was apart of their village. I was constantly playing games with all of the kids and learning from our locals guides and locals about the life of someone who lives there. We got to participate in local cultural ceremonies such as the Baci ceremony, where the locals get to thank you and give blessings and wishes to you as we get to eat, dance, and enjoy each other’s presence. It is these moments that I will remember forever and carry all of the lessons I’ve learned with me no matter where I go.

I had a great overall experience in Laos. This trip offers a variety of awesome experiences such as Free the Bears, zip lining, cave exploring, hiking to see waterfalls and camping! The guides in Laos were awesome! They were extremely helpful and always made sure to check in on us when we needed it. I had a great experience in Sop Chem. I loved teaching the children and being able to play uno with them later on. The people in the village were very kind. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to travel or has in interest in sustainable agriculture or working with children

Before GIVE Volunteers, I had never even heard of the country Laos. Now, it holds a very special place in my heart.

Through GIVE, I had the opportunity to experience something truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived in the village of Sop Chem, we were welcomed with open arms. The people of Sop Chem are some of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met, and the community made us feel like family. I felt safe, supported, and cared for every moment of the trip.

One of the most special parts of this trip was our local guides. They were not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also some of the most patient and kind people I’ve ever met. Whether we were learning about Lao traditions, history, or daily life, they were always eager to share, answer our questions, and help us connect on a deeper level with the culture around us.

Our days were filled with purpose. We taught English to over 60 children and supported local women in learning conversational English to sell their handicrafts to tourists. We stayed in their homes and learned traditional weaving techniques.

What made our experience so meaningful is that every volunteer project we took part in was what the community wanted and not what outsiders thought they needed. We helped build a new kitchen for the village school.

In Luang Prabang, we went to a wildlife sanctuary where black bears are being rescued and protected from illegal wildlife trade and bile farming. We visited the UXO Museum and learned about the country’s history and struggles with unexploded bombs. Between the volunteering, we went ziplining over waterfalls, fishing in the river with locals, caving, and planting rice. Every activity felt meaningful and connected to the land and culture.

The trip ended with a Baci Ceremony, an emotional and beautiful sendoff that captured the love and connection we had built in Sop Chem. It was a moment of gratitude I’ll never forget.

I came to Laos not knowing what to expect. I left with a full heart, lifelong memories, and a second home in Sop Chem.

This was an amazing adventure from beginning to end. The international guides, local guides and community partners are all exceptional people that really elevated the travel experience. This trip has taught me so much about so many different subjects while also still being fun and safe. As someone with many food restrictions, everyone went above and beyond to ensure that I could eat safe, healthy, and filling meals. I highly recommend booking a GIVE trip and taking on the opportunity to become a responsible international traveler and global citizen.