I truly credit IVHQ with one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences I’ve had abroad. From the very start of the application process, everything was seamless and filled me with excitement. I chose to volunteer with children with special needs in Kathmandu in the fall of 2025, and IVHQ made the entire journey incredibly smooth and stress-free. My program manager was outstanding—always responsive, supportive, and helpful whenever I had questions. I never felt rushed, had more than enough time to complete all requirements, and appreciated the clear guidance every step of the way.

The IVHQ website is extremely well organized and easy to navigate, and the timely reminders about deadlines were incredibly helpful. Once in Nepal, the experience exceeded all my expectations. I absolutely loved my homestay family—the accommodations were comfortable, the family was warm and welcoming, and the homemade Nepali food was delicious.

This experience had such a positive impact on me that I am already planning to return to Nepal next year to volunteer again. I am deeply grateful to the entire IVHQ team for their professionalism, care, and dedication. They truly made this experience special, rewarding, and unforgettable.

I was very pleased with the professionalism as well the accessibility of not only my program manager but the IVHQ daily workers on call. They made the whole process very smooth and answered every single question I asked, even the questions I didn’t know I had! They alerted me about things I needed to schedule or complete and they updated me on my progress. Felt very confident by the time I left to my assignment, and the local teams they worked with in the country of my assignment (Nepal) were high quality professionals as well.

The medical elective program in Nepal hosted by IVHQ is a really enriching experience where I learned a lot about the local medical operation system, specifically how doctors work with patients in ER. It also provided me the chance to meet people in the industry, ultimately strengthening my determination to study medicine. Also, I have met so many new friends from all over the world, and the host was super nice to us. We had a lot of interesting and engaging conversations at nights, and it's really inspiring to hear other stories on different perspectives.

Scotia and Emma kept me well informed prior to going to my placement and the orienteering day was very well run.

I am so grateful that they were able to organise this for me and my experience with these incredible ladies (and 1 man) will stick with me forever (and has certainly sparked a desire to do more volunteering overseas in future).

I also feel like the accomodation and homestay arrangements were fantastic: I have only ever lived with my family or partners, so this was certainly outside of my comfort zone, but the food was amazing and my Nepali family were so kind and welcoming

Prior to flying to Nepal, the event team provides all the necessary information to ensure the experience goes smoothly. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend IVHQ if you are considering volunteering abroad. This was my first time volunteering as a solo traveller and I’ll definitely use them again. I joined the women’s education program and I definitely felt like my time there was impactful and made a difference to the women there. It was also a great experience staying with a local family in a home stay. The family stays are a great way of contributing to the local community as well as immersing yourself into the culture

It was truly the best trip of my life. I’ve traveled a lot before, but this experience was something completely new and unforgettable. Helping the elephants — even just preparing food for them — filled me with so much joy, because I realized that even the smallest actions can contribute to a much greater purpose.

I was surrounded by incredible people who shared the same values. Together we supported each other, laughed, worked side by side, and quickly became like one big family. We’re already dreaming about our next volunteer program together. When the journey came to an end, I couldn’t hold back my tears — those two weeks were simply too beautiful to let go.

The whole process was organized at the highest level. I am grateful to IVHQ and local teams in Nepal for the best trip of my life.

I recently completed my first volunteer trip to Nepal through IVHQ, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. As a new volunteer, I had a lot on my mind—nervousness, questions, and the usual “what ifs.” But IVHQ’s 15-step guide was genuinely helpful. It laid everything out clearly and helped me stay organized and feel prepared before I left.

I landed in Kathmandu at 8:30 PM, and just as promised, someone was there waiting with a name tag. That small detail made a big difference—it instantly put me at ease. The host was welcoming, and the local team guided me through everything I needed to know to feel safe and comfortable. They were always available and easy to reach, which made settling in much smoother than I expected.

One of the best parts was meeting fellow volunteers from around the world.

Outside of volunteering, I got to explore the mountains and local areas, which were absolutely breathtaking. The natural beauty of Nepal is something you have to see to believe. And the food—wow. It was delicious and comforting, and honestly felt like a reward after each day.

What made it great:
- IVHQ’s pre-departure resources were clear and practical.
- The local support team was reliable and genuinely caring.
- I felt safe and supported from the moment I arrived.
- I met amazing people and formed real connections.
- The cultural experience was rich and unforgettable.

This was a heartwarming and eye-opening experience. IVHQ did a great job organizing everything, and the local team in Nepal made it even better. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to volunteer abroad and is looking for a program that’s well-structured but still lets you connect deeply with the community.

From the moment I contacted IVHQ until the completion of volunteer trip I was well prepared. IVHQ provided all the information and planning needed from pre to post trip. I will travel with them in the future. It is important to read all the information provided in the description of each destination and the smallest details are helpful. Local teams were always available and made contact each day to make sure participant was comfortable with their placement. IVHQ was truly interested in following up after the trip for feedback.