International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) Reviews 

My IVHQ coordinator was very responsive and helpful with questions I had prior to my trip. This is the second time I've traveled with IVHQ and only had positive experiences with both trips.

Very well organised, really helpful and explicit throughout the process. Every step of the way there were checklists, videos, emails, calls helping with everything. Will recommend IVHQ to anyone who asks. Best experience possible.

Oksana was always responsive to my questions or concerns. She provided sound counsel throughout the process. I met many individuals who had been on multiple IVHQ assignments. I am also pursuing another assignment for summer 2027 because of the overwhelmingly supportive first time experience I had in Zanzibar.

The Program was well put together and safe. The property where we stayed was beautiful and clean. And the other volunteers I met were friendly, kind, and make great friendships with them!

The support I received before going and while on the trip was really helpful, especially the programme guide, which included everything I needed to know about the trip. The opportunity to participate in IVHQ zoom calls before going was also helpful as it gave me more information and gives you the chance to ask any questions. I had an amazing experience volunteering with the turtles and crocodiles in La Ventanilla and learning about their conservation measures. Everyone there was so kind and friendly, and although I was nervous about travelling solo beforehand, they made me feel so welcome and safe. The food was delicious, and the accommodation was really nice. One thing I would say to anyone going on the project is to plan your transport back to the airport in advance. I found arranging this on my own quite difficult, especially with the language barrier, so I would recommend considering this before leaving for the project. Overall, I had an amazing experience and will definitely be booking another volunteer trip with IVHQ in the future!

I honestly loved the local team and how supportive and kind they were! Also i didn’t have to worry about getting there because it was super well organised and IVHQ had everything written down extremely detailed. After i got there i had no problems and spent the best time! Everyone was hardworking helpful and really happy.

My sister and I participated in an IVHQ ocean conservation (Lionfish hunting) trip in Belize in August. This was the trip of a lifetime! We had the opportunity to dive 3X each day, off of a boat and/or the shore. I am a beginner-level diver. This was only my second dive trip. I felt very safe, and I had all of the equipment and instruction I needed. In addition to diving, on this trip I visited Mayan ruins, swam with sharks and a manta ray, went cave tubing, and watched a giant sea turtle lay eggs. We stayed in "glamping" style accommodations, which had a bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower, fans in the bedrooms, minimal bugs on the island, cool breezes, plenty of drinking water, and lots of food. I only wish I had brought more family with me.

This was such an unique experience what I cannot even form into words correctly. What made it special were the people whom I met during this journey. As a person who's first language isn't english the first day was hard, hearing so many different accents and communicate all day in english was tiring. But they gave me opportunity to improve, to grow and I've made so many friends for who I would love to travel through the whole world just to meet them once again. And of course, the local people. They were soo kind! I loved everyone who worked with this program and made it unforgettable. So thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of something so magical!

Doing a worthwhile project helping dogs. Helping out the staff. Staying with a local family and experiencing life as a local.

From start to finish IVHQ made my once in a lifetime trip smooth sailing and truly one to remember. I couldn’t thank all of the staff enough at sunbird in Zambia they made me feel safe , reassured and was a true home from home feeling. I would recommend IVHQ to everyone.

My volunteering experience at Nakavango was incredible. I made the most amazing connections with the guides, other volunteers and the beautiful children at the local school.
The daily games drives were a highlight with interesting information provided by such professional and experienced guides.
Volunteering my time and digging into the physical work made me thrive. I highly recommend IVHQ and have bade life long memories.

It was definitely a different experience than usual but one that will remain etched in my memory forever. These three weeks have been truly wonderful. It feels like only a few days have passed. I've met wonderful people and done interesting activities, some light, some more challenging, but all wonderful. Everyone is so kind, helpful, and welcoming. The place is beautiful, close to the beach.

The Program was well organized, the people were friendly and helpful. I felt I made a difference in the community.

Good communication, information, helpful

The IVHQ website is very easy to use and gives all the necessary information in preparation for your volunteer project.
The IVHQ team which you qork with once you decide on your project is very communicative guiding you through the entire process. The entire trip went smoothly.
Working with the local team was just as easy. The information provided was clear and useful. The team was hands on and available for whatever was needed.
I loved working at the Dog Shelter. Being with the dogs, of all ages, was a bug responsibility but was also very rewarding. The dogs loved having the attention and care we gave them including washing out their pens, feeding them, playing with them and taking them for walks.
You also have the opportunity to visit the local area and city which was amazing. I throughly enjoyed my time and highly recommend IVHQ if you are interested in volunteering abroad.

My experience with IVHQ in Lisbon was genuinely amazing from start to finish. This was my first ever solo trip, and everyone I interacted with was so kind, helpful, and responsive. Any questions I had were answered quickly, which made me feel supported and well prepared throughout the experience.

The animal care program I participated in was incredibly meaningful. It was clear that the people involved cared about the work, animals, and the people they were helping.

The local coordinators were also so sweet and welcoming. It was reassuring to have people there who were happy to help. The accommodation was another positive part of the experience and made the whole trip feel easier and more enjoyable.

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better experience with IVHQ. From the support before and during the program to the volunteer work, coordinators, and accommodation, everything was a positive experience. I would absolutely recommend IVHQ to anyone considering volunteering abroad, and I would definitely consider doing another program with them in the future.

IVHQ does a great job of connecting us to amazing local organizations. IVHQ has many options for volunteering. My sister and I chose scuba diving to clean up the viral reef and kill the invasive lionfish. IVHQ connected us with ReefCI in Belize. ReefCI staff were knowledgeable, attentive, fun, and helpful. We started with a reactivate scuba course and Oscar and Julio were fabulous and extremely patient instructors. My sister and I are 56 and 61 so we had a lot of questions and needed some hand holding in the beginning. We had the opportunity to dive three times every day but we chose to only go out 1-2 times each day depending on our level of energy. Latrika and Alex fed us very well. Lots of Belizean food with creative spins on chicken, fish, rice, beans, and fruit. Latrika made delightful treats: chocolate covered bananas, cake, and cinnamon rolls, to name a few. We ate Lion fish twice each week- very tasty. The diving was remarkable! Shore dives and boat dives. All of the staff did a great job of meeting each of us at our level: initial certifications, refreshing open water cert, advanced cert, and several people getting their dive master cert. Worm, the manager, did a great job of keeping our group organized, safe, educated, and thoroughly immersed in diving. We kept to a basic schedule that included three dives, 2 dive presentations, meal presentations, and plenty of down time around the island every day. We swam with nurse sharks, manta rays, barracudas, angelfish, butterfly fish, lion fish, and many more. During the two weeks I was there our group killed about 400 lionfish! We had several learning sessions about a variety of topics including the lionfish, the reef, conservation efforts, fish id, the Mayan culture, and more. Turtle watch was optional. I did it three times. On one of my turtle watch nights we ended up having four turtles come up on the beach and two of them laid eggs! Definitely a bucket list item to watch a turtle laying eggs. Truly a beautiful place in and out of the water. I highly recommend this trip!! Pack light, they have everything you might need on the island including fans, first aid, games, hammocks, kayak, paddle boards, and grill for s’mores. Thank you everyone for an amazing adventure!! Thank you IVHQ for helping us find this great local organization!

I had a wonderful experience participating in the International Volunteer Service – Food Outreach program in Vietnam. It was a rewarding opportunity to support local communities, meet people from different backgrounds, and contribute to a meaningful cause. I really appreciated the organisation of the program and the kindness and hospitality of the local people. It was a memorable and enriching experience that I would highly recommend to others.

Being 16 years old and having the opportunity to travel solo abroad and help teach women of different cultures and backgrounds matured me so much as a teenager and a woman. I want to thank the staff for the unconditional support while in country.
Volunteered with: Women education
Where: Kathmandu, Nepal

Information prior to departure was comprehensive and useful. Once on site, local staff were well organised and supportive of all volunteers. They also kept everybody safe