GVI - Quepos, Costa Rica

Firstly, read the review by ElGringo called "GVI Costa Rica - More of a Summer Camp than a Research Station." He said my review much better than I can, and I want to connect with him to debrief about it! It's 2016, and since that review was written in 2011, nothing has changed.

I am at the other GVI base in Quepos, Costa Rica (not in Manuel Antonio as the sales website would want you to believe), and my experience has been extremely similar. The entire program is 18 year old students in a gap year and run by 22 year olds. And it is more work than a fun volunteer experience. We work from 8 (or earlier)-5 pm (or later) everyday, and then there are chores to do around the house like scrubbing bathrooms and mopping the floors.

Despite paying a lot for the program, the living accommodations are dirty, lack air flow (ridiculously hot) and include things like cockroaches, mosquitoes and frogs everywhere (don't worry though, I've watched them alter the blog posts the volunteers wrote to not get a bad reputation). Also, the staff controls the food you are allowed to eat based on personal opinions, and you are not allowed to spend the amount you paid for (aka the budget). It seems a bit odd in my opinion that you are not allowed to use the money you paid to buy food.

In addition, watch out for the programs on the website. They are not at all accurate. GVI does not work with the teachers in the school to develop lesson plans, they do not have a sports program, and English is only 3-4 hours out of the 40 hour work week. The program truly is centered around an optional extracurricular "camp" the children can choose to go to, and you spend most of your time doing art projects, writing stories and singing songs. You will spend more time planning for lessons than teaching, and be prepared for drama amongst volunteers!

The most frustrating part is how much the program cost, how little I believe goes back into the community or the volunteers, and then being mislead by the programs they have on the website. I signed up for one that did not even exist, after confirming with corporate that it was legitimate. I would not recommend GVI or this program, and if you decide to do it, ensure you do due diligence on what you're signing up for! We've had one girl quit already, and the three that leave this weekend are counting the days to leave the program. If you ask them, they are sad to leave the country, and happy to leave GVI. I feel the same way, and I would recommend finding your own experience here if you want to spend time volunteering. It's an amazing country with amazing people, and I would hate for your opinion of it to be ruined by GVI.