Travelling has never been something that peaked my interest but when I heard of IVHQ and all the different opportunities I chose to step outside my comfort zone and volunteer with their program in Lisbon, Portugal.

As an unexperienced traveller I had so many questions and concerns when I first applied but right away IVHQ made sure that every concern or question I had would be answered with care and in depth.

Travelling to Portugal was the best decision I made. I had the chance to meet people from all over the world and develop friendships, experience a whole different culture and challenge myself by volunteering in difficult situations. I recommend to anyone to take a chance and step outside your comfort zone and travel, explore, and create with IVHQ!

Volunteering in Portugal was one of the best experiences I have participated in. It is such an amazing way to see a country, make friends and especially make an impact in areas that require the help. Personally i Participated in the construction and renovation program. It was so rewarding going everyday and helping build a house, knowing it was going to be used by someone in need. Seeing the constant development everyday, made me proud of the work me and the team had made. I'd highly recommend this volunteering to anyone who wants to push their comfort zone and also become part of a project that really impacts lives in a positive way. Many thanks to IVHQ.

I arrived in Portugal with my flight delayed 2 hours past my scheduled pick-up; I was worried my pick-up guy abandoned me, but he was still around.

We drove to the location. My initial glimpses of Lisbon were not too pretty: It looked like we were in the middle of nowhere, some back-country land. It wasn't until we arrived at the hostel that things started to look better. The hostel itself is well-kept and cute. The people there tend to your dietary restriction if any and make you feel at home.

Day 1 was orientation to the hostel and the program - short and simple. Day 2 was the first volunteer day. The R3Food organization we volunteered at had a very well-structured system; we felt kind of obsolete too be quite honest. The cause is a worthy one though. The shifts we had alternated between morning and night, around 10 AM - 1 PM and 8 PM - 11 PM. It was mostly packaging food, bringing food in, getting food from stores and doing in-person deliveries. The toughest part would be finding matching lids for the tupperware.

This volunteer program gave ample time to explore Lisbon. I got to visit Belém, Cascais, Alfama, Central Lisbon and Sintra. We did a wine tour and relaxed on the beach, did a city tour on a Tuk-Tuk, and went to Cascais''s Lumina Festival. I recommend downloading MAPS.ME (free offline map navigator app) and walking around Lisbon especially in Alfama and the nearby areas.

I will never forget my experiences here, the people I met and Lisbon itself. Thank you IVHQ and ImpactTeam. Well done.

My experience on the Lisbon Youth Support Program was incredible. The placement was enjoyable and impactful. The accommodation was friendly, well run and felt like a home away from home (with excellent food!). The support network from the moment I applied to me sat in my kitchen now has been thorough and melted away any nerves throughout this journey. The people I met were from every corner of the globe and we have already organised to meet once more. In short, I cannot wait to go back!

I spent 3 weeks in Portugal and it was one of the best experiences in my life. The local team is to lovely and caring. I had the opportunity to meet so many new people from all over the world.
I did the Youth Support programm and had a lot of fun. The team helped us to change the placement as at the first place we barely had any kids. But then I had an amazing time.
And there's so much to do and see in Lisbon. So many beautiful beaches, places and castels. And i even spent one weekend in Porto which was fantastic.
and if you're in Lisbon you have to do a daytrip to Sintra! This place is just like in a fairytale!
So pack your suitcase and go on an adventure! It's totally worth it!

Meeting people from another country and truly indulging yourself in their culture and way of life is something truly remarkable. I have really grown into a new person from this experience and would recommend anyone to embark on the same one if not another interesting IVHQ program.

I am very lucky to have been put with very friendly people who were supportive all the time.

My favorite part was meeting new people and how they made changed in their lives that reflected their values. Animal cruelty is unfortunately a very real problem in the world and I am currently changing my diet to not have any meat.

I had a truly amazing experience with IVHQ and I can't wait for the opportunity to volunteer with them again. As part of my gap year I knew I wanted to explore the world while also assisting a community in need. Ultimately, I decided that Lisbon, Portugal was where I wanted to do this. From the moment I arrived, and throughout my five week stay, the IVHQ team in Portugal made me feel right at home. The accommodations and food were beyond my expectations and everyone was very friendly/ helpful. As far as my volunteer placement went, it was a very educational experience. It was fascinating to work amongst people of various backgrounds and cultures, all of whom shared a common goal. At my project, food rescue, I was able to see who I was helping which definitely made my efforts more worthwhile. Additionally, my placement only lasted a few hours each day which allowed all of the volunteers an excellent chance to explore Lisbon and its surrounding cities. This was a great way to bond with them and I will cherish the memories and friendships made throughout my time there. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is considering traveling with IVHQ. Thank you again for an unforgettable trip!

I really enjoyed my volunteering experience with IVHQ. I volunteered on the wolf conservation project in Portugal and I loved the experience. IVHQ was very helpful in making me feel prepared for the experience, from an easy to follow list of steps to take when you apply and on-going support when you arrive at your destination, I would recommend IVHQ to all future volunteers. IVHQ also has great partners in the countries you choose to volunteer in that help when you arrive. There partner in Portugal was very helpful and made sure it was easy to get in contact with them if you needed any help or had any questions.