Top Volunteer program out there 6 out of 5 stars

One of the best choices I have ever made was choosing to apply for IPBio. I had just finished my bachelors degree weeks before I left to work for IPBio as a bioluminescent mushroom researcher. I was greeted all along the way with friendly and helpful staff. Every concern of any volunteer was taken seriously. The staff themselves went above and beyond all expectations and they all became friends of mine shortly after my arrival. The diversity of programs at IPBbio with the diversity of people really built for good conversations. Not only did I get to dive in deep with mycology, but I also got to play a part in all of the projects.

It was interesting to see how all of the different parts of IPBio operate. I was incredibly happy with my role as the mushroom researcher. I got to be a part of mushrooming hikes looking for new species as well as working in a lab trying to grow them. Having the creativity to invent new substrate experiments was something I am most grateful for. I would keep up to date with current mycological information and review what previous researches had tried at IPBio. I saw my role as a puzzle. Overlooking what other people have done and then creating a new plan. At one point, some of the Mycena lucentipes logs in the fruiting chamber fruited for me and that was very exciting.

Over my time there, I had visited many parks and explored all of the caves in the guidebook. Let me tell you, every single one is worth it make sure you see them all. Imran even helps set up the activities outside of work hours. He truly goes above and beyond and I’m so grateful to have met him. I worked under Grant who is a mycology wizard. His identification skills are out of this world. He was an excellent resource and friend during my time at IPBio. Nina and Peter were the volunteer coordinators. They are super intelligent, incredibly funny, and all-around awesome people. The volunteer house where we stayed was clean and honestly hotel-like.

There is beautiful scenery everywhere. This placed turned into a home for me in my three months there. The people really made this experience incredible and I will forever be grateful for the life long relationships I have made from my time at IPBio. I was very excited for my IPBio trip and everything in person was even better than how it was outlined online, I could not be more pleased. This operation as a whole honestly deserves more than just five stars.