I had an amazing experience during this volunteer program and I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of it. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was welcoming and positive, which made it easy to connect with the other volunteers. I met many wonderful people and created friendships that I will truly value. Spending time with them helped me learn new things, share ideas, and see life from different perspectives.

Volunteering here made me feel more confident and proud of myself, knowing that I was able to contribute and make a positive difference. It was not only about helping others, but also about personal growth and learning more about teamwork, empathy, and collaboration.

The accommodation was excellent – very clean, comfortable, and well organized. Everything was even better than I expected, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable and relaxing after a day of activities.

Another thing that really stood out was the staff. They were always available whenever we needed help, extremely friendly, supportive, and ready to assist us with anything. Their positive attitude made everyone feel welcome and cared for.

Overall, this volunteer experience was incredibly meaningful for me. I had a lot of fun, learned valuable lessons, met inspiring people, and created memories that I will always remember. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to volunteer, grow as a person, and be part of a supportive and inspiring community.

I had a really positive experience with this volunteer organization. The application process was simple and easy, and I felt very supported from the start with lots of helpful information about living in Portugal.

The program itself was very hands-on and even more meaningful than I expected. I originally thought I would only be working with the children, but I also had the opportunity to connect with the young moms. Being able to share experiences and build those relationships made the experience so special.

Overall, I absolutely loved the program and am very grateful for everything it offered.

This was my first time going abroad alone. I was really nervous before leaving because my English isn’t very good, and I was afraid of causing trouble for others. That nervousness stayed with me even until my second day in Portugal. I wasn’t familiar with the public transport there, and I felt like I messed up a lot of things.

Unlike others who get excited before starting a new experience, I mostly felt scared. I even wondered why I had made such a brave decision. But little by little, that nervousness melted away because of the warmth and kindness of the people around me.

At the hostel, I met sincere and talkative friends. During volunteering, I finally met staff who guided me patiently and helped me a lot. I could clearly feel that I was respected and treated equally. No one laughed at my broken English. That made me never regret my decision.

I often walked alone on the streets of Lisbon, enjoying the beauty of the city. Although the weather wasn’t great, I will always cherish the warmth and touching moments this experience brought me.

I had such a great experience volunteering with IVHQ. From the very beginning, the support and communication were clear, and the whole process felt really well-organized. The placement itself was not only rewarding but also gave me the chance to meet amazing people, explore a new culture, and contribute in a meaningful way.

I felt safe and supported throughout, and IVHQ made the whole journey easy to navigate. It was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had, and I’d love to go again in the future. Would definitely recommend IVHQ to anyone thinking about volunteering abroad.

IVHQ made it easy to network and connect with other people from around the world. I truly enjoyed my stay at the hostel in Estoril, Portugal. The rooms were very clean as well as the bathrooms. They were mopped every day and wiped clean. I met some of my closest friends and really enjoyed how nice and laid back my coordinators were; they were very easy to get along with. I also enjoyed my volunteer experience with the animal shelter; it was very hands-on and exactly what I expected and wanted to be a part of.

My experience was great from the beginning.

When I booked everything, I always had a coordinator who would answer all my questions during these months by email. And when I arrived in Portugal, the local coordinators were always there if you needed them. Everybody made it really easy to integrate; we were like a family.

The volunteer program was amazing, and we felt like we were really useful and helpful. I'm so glad I went to this program; it made me grow a lot as a person by helping others daily. I will always recommend it.

Volunteering with IVHQ in Portugal was a truly fun and rewarding experience. I met so many awesome people from all over the world, and it was great going out with them, exploring together, and just having fun while volunteering for a good cause. The whole vibe was very open and social, and it made the experience even better.

One thing I’d say to future volunteers is: don’t be shy — just throw yourself out there. Everyone’s there for the same reasons — to help, to meet people, and to enjoy the experience — so being open and approachable makes it much easier to connect with others.

All the information I received beforehand helped me prepare well and gave me lots of confidence, as it was my first time volunteering abroad. The support throughout was great, and the local team was all amazing.

I loved Lisbon, a great city. I got the chance to work in the beautiful Sintra National Park. I enjoyed the hostel vibe and meeting lots of new people. I would highly recommend IVHQ.

I hope to do other volunteering trips to other countries now, as I'm so much more confident travelling on my ow,n and I'm so pleased I went.