Oyster Worldwide Reviews 580

We have just had the most incredible experience volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary in Ecuador! Oyster Worldwide was endlessly helpful right from the get go with reassuring and consistent communication. We felt very looked after and in safe hands - thank you!

I booked to volunteer in Thailand through Oysterworldwide and they were absolutely fantastic through every step. From making booking the trip so easy to supporting me whenever I was there, I would highly recommend Oysterworldwide to anyone!

I joined the Wildlife Conservation in South Africa, Port Elizabeth at 17 years old and had an amazing experience! The staff were all very helpful in settling you in and I met people from all over the world across different age groups and really bonded with everyone during my short stay there! Definitely something you can go do alone (like I did) or go with a friend!

My daughter arranged her Gold D of E Residential through Oyster, and they were brilliant. Communication was fab throughout, and the trip was a huge success! Great opportunities for young people!

Georgie, The Director of Operations has terrible customer service. She confirmed a meeting with me over WhatsApp, On the day of the meeting she asked if we could meet earlier, I confirmed and then she said she wasn’t available. Then she she wasn’t ready in time for our original time, did not give me any information on how to reach her on WhatsApp. She emails me 20 minutes after the meeting was supposed to start telling me she didn’t have WhatsApp, then called me and proceeded to question me as to why I couldn’t use a phone and had to use WhatsApp, and then hung up on me, after I tried explaining it, I called back only to be told by her Assistant that she wasn’t available. THEN Georgie emails me saying that because I was dismissive and confused as to what was going on after waiting over an hour for a meeting , she informed me that I was ineligible due to my response ( my responses being why am I being ran around all morning when we originally agreed on a time and method). She BLAMES ME for her inability to be present and available at the agreed time. I tried escalating my issue to the CEO only to be turned away again. ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE. She does not respect your time or needs and believes that she is entitled to decide on your ability to impress your future employers. I have been in the service industry for over 10 years and never have I questioned my clients needs or not respected their time. This woman needs to get off her high horse and be more professional.

My 17 year old son had an amazing time in Ecuador! I was very nervous about him traveling alone, but all the directions and correspondence was amazing from start to finish. He loved the experience and is thinking about doing it again. I felt he was well taken care of, the directions were great and Kate Tipler my contact at Oyster was always very responsive and top of it. The person who picked him up at the airport was wonderful about sending me pics of him which I didn't expect and loved. He loved the experience of being there and met wonderful friends from around the world. Highly recommend!

The team at Oyster made my experience so smooth and memorable. Firstly, they gave me all the info about my trip beforehand so I could adequately prepare. They kept in contact with me throughout, if I had any questions. I had such an amazing and unforgettable experience in Barcelona with the cats, Thank you so much!

I had the greatest time in costa rica volunteering with turtles. They provided everything i needed and looked after me thoroughly while i was with them. Incredible experience and would definitely recommend.

Had a great time working with horses in Croatia. Everybody involved was really kind and helpful, and the trip went smoothly. It was also very helpful that this could be done as a DofE Residential, and Oyster have been helpful in getting back to us with Assessor’s reports.

My daughter booked a weeks volunteering in South Africa for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Oyster were fantastic throughout, providing all the information, ensuring we had everything completed and the experience was excellent. Thank you Kate and Georgie, highly recommend.

Our daughter has just started in Whistler as a (trainee) ski instructor via oysterworldwide.com. We can't speak highly enough of the support given throughout the application process both to parents and applicant. The onsite Whistler support has also been fantastic with every detail thought of from social security numbers, to fabulous ski equipment discounts, social events and bank accounts. Our daughter is having a fantastic time with support when required. Reports of the quality of instruction are also very good. Fingers crossed for the exam this week and more snow to fall! Would happily recommend using oysterworldwide.com

Our son has gone to Canada for his first season with Oyster, we could not fault the organisation, care and support which Sami and Roger gave provided since he first enquired & applied. The interview process was thorough and professional, as was the suggested feedback to our son about what type of work experience he should organise in the year leading up to his job in Canada. This advice was well founded and hugely beneficial in him securing his role and preparing him for his job. The team on the ground lead by Nicky are amazing and he has settled in smoothly and happily. We are super impressed by the whole experience.

I have recently received my second working holiday visa after having an incredible first year in Australia. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to work at a pre-training farm in Sydney which was set up by Georgie which gained me invaluable experience. This was followed by travelling up the East Coast with one of my closet friends who I met at the job. We visited around 10 different places up the coast and it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I had so much fun, made so many friends and incredible memories all whilst discovering lots of beautiful places that Australia has to offer. I will never forget the memories that I made during that time. This opportunity that Georgie and Oyster provided me has allowed me to find a job myself in another pre-training yard where I am living the dream. I have been very lucky to receive lots of training from my boss on one of her retired racehorses in preparation to start riding the pre-trainers. I am so grateful to Georgie and the team who have allowed me to turn what was once a dream into my everyday reality.

Information and responses to questions are all easy to understand and plentiful. Communication very good. Programme was excellent.

UK team exceptionally helpful and responsive from beginning to end. The team in Thailand were amazing too and the whole experience was beyond my imagination

Such nice people at my Kuanto private reserve they met me straight at the airport and always made sure I was ok throughout my whole stay with them.

I had an amazing time in South Africa, made lots of friends from all over the world, and saw some incredible animals on game drives, as well as helping with tasks such as tree chopping, going to a local school, and planting trees. Kate was super helpful, and this made the trip go really smoothly, I would definitely recommend!

Our son, Billy is having an incredible time in Costa Rica, working with a team involved in turtle conservation.
Oyster were extremely helpful in managing the expectation and anxieties of both Billy and ourselves. His safety, welfare and overall care was never in doubt, despite his last minute, lackadaisical teenage admin.
Oyster kept us informed throughout the process.
Our other son will be going to Namibia with Oyster next year.

Both guides were fantastic. They were bright, and passionate and able to help us to understand the complexities and factors to consider when understanding challenges in relation to reforestation in Borneo.

The whole family (kids aged 11, 14, 17) really enjoyed the volunteering aspect and felt that it was incredibly rewarding. It was hard work in the humidity but completely manageable and breaks and snacks were always strongly encouraged. It was very inspiring to hear of animals being seen in areas that have been reforested, and a sense of hope for similar with the trees we've planted. Maintenance of trees planted by previous volunteers was lovely, knowing that future volunteers would look after ours.

We felt very well looked after throughout the project .The river trips were fantastic and we all loved the night trip as well. Our guide went out of his way to ensure we could see as diverse a range of wildlife as possible. It was very special to have a guide who was still in touch with his family's indigenous roots and beliefs and to give us a deeper insight into understanding the rainforest on a much deeper level.

The food was good, and even our relatively fussy children enjoyed it and ate well. Meals in villagers houses were a real highlight.

Out of a three week trip to Borneo, I'd say that this was everyone's favourite week.

My trip to Romania was such an incredible experience. It was my first time travelling solo but the Oyster staff were lovely and I felt well looked out for. The sanctuary is such a peaceful place to spend time in, it has beautiful views and over 100 bears to watch and learn all about. If you love bears and exploring new places I would definitely recommend!