Each home within the village is a bit different, but there is no air conditioning (which I learned to love). Life on base is basic but a welcome change to normal life and the food is incredible. Announcement. The common room was spacious enough, with a bookshelf and a site laptop we used to watch the occasional movie on the projector. volunteering with gvi. Join one of our award winning projects worldwide. I felt very supported by GVI and received TEFL training as preparation for my role and ongoing staff mentorship. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to join the GVI Wildlife Conservation Program in Karongwe and the passion and dedication of the GVI team for conservation was humbling. It’s a magical island, and the basic life was pretty much as I expected, and works well. 248K likes. As all volunteers lived together on base we got to know each other pretty quickly and I felt supported throughout. For a first time the experience was totally memorable. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Featured Program: Global Vision International. The staff and other volunteers were very helpful and supportive. See what employees say about what it's like to work at GVI. GoAbroad – Volunteer Abroad: Platform allows you to browse international volunteer placements with alumni reviews, while also providing travel and planning resources. Volunteer and Intern Abroad since 1998 Blog; 1 888 653 6028 / 617 674 2105 Apply Now. 75 GVI Reviews Excellent 81% Good 11% Average 1% Rather Poor 1% Bad 5% Accommodation 4 / 5 Transportation 4.5 / 5 Meals 4.5 / 5 Value for money 4.5 / 5 Guide 4.5 / 5 Write a review. You are alwaaaays welcome to come back as quickly as you like! This was my first of many experiences with GVI and I absolutely loved it !! This experience could be an eye-opening experience exposing them to education and myself to a new culture and way of life. This website uses cookies for an improved user experience. Our construction projects in Nepal provide support for the local communities. Every different place we observed, was populated by hundreds of species of animals. “I was with GVI for three weeks, getting to know the different children personalities , I taught two students ,it was great to see them process with their education. In 2017 I completed a 2 week Volunteer trip with GVI at the Karongwe Big 5 Game Reserve. Global Vision International. For me the one question I wanted to know was "Will it be worth it" As with all things in this world, you really do get what you pay for. I have visited the GVI base in Chiang Mai Thailand multiple times as the project is super well organised and amazing to be a part of. The attitude towards COVID has been common-sense, and has not impacted my enjoyment of the work on the island.The weeks are well-balanced with lots of early starts and early evenings, many of which allow us to watch consistently spectacular sunrises and sunsets. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. My son is considering spending 6 weeks volunteering with GVI in October. One of my favourite things to do in the village was cook with my ‘mum’, Faw, chat to her and learn some of the recipes of the village food.I also had the opportunity to teach English twice a week at the local school. Only the latest review will count in the company's TrustScore. You’re expected to show basic respect which looks a bit different there, especially as a woman, but I never felt unsafe or like I was compromising my morals or character. Overview . People are usually very friendly, so it’s fun to get to know those around you, but it’s best to be cautious. There was a lot of information to take in but the learning was always enjoyable and the staff were available to answer any questions or if extra help was needed.I have stayed in contact with GVI since returning home and as always they have been incredibly helpful and have made me feel like part of the GVI family.I am already planning my next adventure and I would highly recommend GVI to anyone wanting to volunteer abroad. Share. From the moment I arrived, everyone was friendly and inclusive. With no legal recourse, we are entirely dependent on the goodwill and accountability of IVHQ for support. Before I signed up, I checked the flight and accommodation availability. I did the short-term internship in between my second and my final year of my university degree as part of my placement year and choose this program due to their very good reputation and to build my skills in conservation.My role as an intern was to assist with the research projects which were being carried out at the biological research camp I was living at. We'd love to see you back on base sometime in the future! Thanks for your super detailed review! We were care-free, adventurous - hiking and fishing for small fish with the local kids. Written on November 10, 2019. GVI Volunteer Testimonials | Hilleke - Stellys Group | Volunteer in India Join one of our award winning projects worldwide. They told how they knew it would be amazing, but came out of it feeling sad to leave and feeling like their perspective of the world had changed. This positive experience, although short lived (2 – weeks at Limpopo) ignited my passion for more travelling! Hi Rose! The locals are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met and they are so accustomed to strangers coming in and out, they don’t have high expectations for you to completely understand their culture, but I’d highly recommend doing your absolute best to try! Most of the animals are pretty indifferent about you being there, but the dogs and cats can be fairly interactive if you pay them any kind of attention (they do have fleas from living outside, but they are vaccinated and cared for). In the meantime, please do keep on spreading your GVI love! I was there at the start of the rainy season which meant rain nearly every night and it got pretty chilly which made sleeping comfortable. We used to dive once or twice a day and practiced fish and coral identification, buoyancy skills and first aid skills. ... 200 reviews. Does anyone have any information on them. Explore Reviews of IVHQ from over 110,000 volunteers have chosen to volunteer abroad with International Volunteer HQ in 50+ destinations worldwide. 7 years ago. It was simply amazing being back, with base feeling instantly like home to me. 24 GVI reviews. ... Their projects have long term goals (apparently) but no ACTUAL path of development to get there, so GVI keeps their volunteer churning machine going. It had 3 bedrooms (each of 8 beds, a communal space and a study area. GVI are not cheap, and they were not going to make it easy to get a refund, despite verbal assurances of full flexibility when I booked back in July for another pair of programmes. “GVI Costa Rica Expedition” Written on: 13/09/2016 by jg1894 (1 review written) Going to another country and working with wildlife was a dream come true. They seem quite good but sometimes I am a little sceptical. This enabled me to really challenge myself and clearly point out where my strengths and weaknesses lie, as well as identify what type of work I really like and gravitate towards. Global Vision International (GVI) is an organisation that runs responsible volunteering programs in over 40 countries around the world. There are two that I have specifically eyed, the first being in Costa Rica working closely with the Green Turtles and studying their natural habitat and nesting habits. I could write a novel about my trip and all the things I saw and learnt, but overall I would highly recommend GVI and this experience for anyone to find out for themselves! Does anyone have any information on them. All rights reserved. My time included 3x intern leadership project completions. On this way, we learned to identify different sea turtles based on the traces in the sand, how to measure the unique "coco de mer"-palm or how to chip a young lemon shark. Hi Rachel! My son is considering spending 6 weeks volunteering with GVI in October. Participate in ethical volunteering projects to support sustainable... Fiji is a country of over 300 islands. A baby hawksbill turtle that we found lost at the back of the beach so helped into the ocean, The team working up a female turtle who had come up onto the beach to neat. Life on base was exceptional; I liked to get up a tad earlier than the bulk of us to go on the beach and admire the sunrise, then we would all have breakfast together and start gearing up for ‘Wave 1’, the morning dive. GVI are not the cheapest volunteer organisation. With GVI you get what you put in as the study time is in your free time away from diving and other duties.We lived in a converted warehouse, out "warehome". When you share your living and study space with others of the same mentality, drive and ambition the interactions and conversations never fail to disappoint. A free inside look at company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees. It was fascinating plotting GIS maps which pinpointed her home ranges as well as close encounters with the Lion pride, Sub Zero at their helm.We would inevitably encounter all the big 5 during our general reserve drives and log additional data for Birds of Prey, Kills, Rhino IDs, hyena dens etc. Jazzy and her team helped me to feel fully involved with the work and are very knowledgeable about the island and its ecosystems. 32 GVI reviews. I can’t wait to finish my degree and get back to travelling and applying my theory-based knowledge to have an even greater impact on future projects! I gained direct experience of GVI following the UN SDGs framework through sustainable projects which made volunteering feel really worthwhile. I volunteered on Women's Empowerment, Teaching English to Buddhist Monk, and Global Health programmes. © 2021 Trustpilot A/S. Hey Hannah, thanks for your wonderful review! I participated in the Sustainability and Climate Crisis Course and the experience was more than I could have expected! GVI have an amazing relationship with the community and you can tell the local villagers respect the development and education they offer. However, safety measures are taken VERY seriously, the staff know how to switch into serious mode). I have signed up to complete my full 6 month internship back on the same base...it just goes to show how much of a lasting impression the place, people and wildlife had on my soul.GVI has given me the confidence to push myself in ways I didn't think I ever could, I have found the courage to leave my job of 8 years in Central London to chase my dreams of working in wildlife conservation full time. Three baby Giant Tortoises on one of our surveys tagging, weighing, and assessing their health. GVI - Volunteer Abroad – – rated 4.7 based on 151 reviews "An incredible life experience! In the following six weeks, I experienced the time of my life, along with the consistently nice and great other volunteers. What would you improve about this program? With that said, I’d recommend bringing at least some to spend at local businesses (there’s a snack shop, a laundry store, a smoothie shop, a coffee shop, and a few others that all cost a few extra bucks). I also wrote a blog post about it on their website, please take the time to check it out if you're interested. GVI is an international volunteer organization that allows people of all ages to travel to countries and help out with the local community, this could be conservation, teaching English, or community support. The projects were to man stands in the local town to provide advice and awareness of issues within the country, help create conservation information posts to bring awareness of waste in the sea and a local garden to provide food and a better environment for volunteers. Daniel, who joined GVI for an under 18 project in Costa Rica, tells us why he joined us and how he feels it will help his university and career prospects! Only just starting with GVI I see myself over the next few months gaining valuable information. I got an insider's perspective on the everyday ins and outs of some of the amazing partnered organisations making a huge impact in the wildlife conservation space. Another highlight of this virtual programme is that you get to meet so many likeminded impact-driven individuals from all corners of the world and discuss endless global topics as well as have a great laugh with some of them, GVI really made all the interns feel comfortable and did a great job in creating a very open and friendly environment. Overall I had the most amazing cultural experience as part of my GVI volunteer trips to both Laos and Cambodia which can only be achieved through living and working in country. 10 helpful votes. 10000% recommend to anyone looking to give back while travelling, have a career break and learn something new, or gain valuable experience for a career. I took part in the Wildlife Conservation Short Term Internship in Limpopo. Good. TRAVEL UPDATE: We're open! The attitude towards COVID has been common-sense, and has not impacted my enjoyment of the work on the island. “GVI Thailand is a nightmare wrapped in a ripoff” Written on: 20/11/2012 by Ajarn7 (1 review written) GVI Thailand--what a crock. Jobs. My coordinator sent me checklists and checked in to see how I was feeling about the trip and ease my nerves a bit. Hope to see you back on base soon! Filter reviews. I came out convinced of my career choice and more motivated than ever to make it happen. H. Holly Wildlife Expedition in Tortuguero, Costa Rica (28n+) 4.5 - Excellent. Join one of our award winning projects worldwide. I learned much about them, but maybe even more about myself.The programme itself was just as great, starting off with a training week to prepare us for our research drives in the bush and teach us mammal, bird and reptile identification, tracks & signs as well as how to use the equipment, take care of the vehicles and clean and cook for a house of 20+ people (very useful life skills). I went to Thailand for two weeks through the GVI Chaing Mai program. You learn new skills, meet new friends, and learn about different cultures. Bad. My first trip away was South Africa – Wildlife conservation project when I was 18. Hey Liz, thanks for your review! Rachel is a fun loving people person who loves adventure and challenges. Agencies and NGOs that are serious about setting up viable programs can pull it off without charging an arm or a leg to their volunteers. The trainer was kind, professional and gave amazing feedback on all questions and assignments. The program in general was excellent at communicating the importance and value of conservation. The company itself is horrific. Starting in the hospitality industry she gained valuable experience, but yearned for something with more meaning bringing her to GVI where she aims to grow and contribute to the change. Being responsible in our contribution to sustainable development is at the core of everything we do and we are guided by our ethical commitments and human empowerment principles. 10 helpful votes. Thank you for the impact you made on base and to the work we do. I'm so glad to hear that you had such an amazing time and could see so easily the huge positive impact you're making whilst on base. Working with and managing volunteers is very rewarding. And this has opened my eyes to the world of conservation and concreted my interest in it! The camp was located on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Locally, we were within walking distance from two convenience shops where you could buy snacks, drinks, and toiletries if you ran out. My GVI virtual internship experience was second to none! 15 reviews. Due to the amazing support from my supervisor, I felt dramatically less anxious about my work and had a very enjoyable working and learning experience. Not only did it have an impact on you, but your work on the program has positively impacted so many lives! Due to the Sun setting early, there's a lot to pack in. I have been volunteering with GVI since 2014. 10000% recommend to anyone looking to give back while travelling, have a career break and learn something new, or gain valuable experience for a career. I contacted GVI direct from their website. Their beauty, grace and endurance being affected by their outright vulnerability in and out of the water gives me a heartfelt desire to do something to give them and their future a chance, even if that is only a few weeks to help a small amount on their, hopefully, long journey. Further research and GVI help reassured me that I was with the right people, going to the right place for me. Each program is manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – as well as the objectives of local partners. When I arrived I was actually surprised by the site amenities and quality, though arguably I had no previous volunteer experience to compare it to. AMAZING NEWS to hear that you had such an unforgettable time with us at GVI. I had the most incredible time and never wanted to leave which is a feeling I have never had when volunteering abroad before. Teaching and Community Development Internship in South Africa —153 Reviews, 9.7 Rating. Clear All. The food was amazing and at no time did I feel insecure or unsure. Other activities like hikes, the monthly conservation trip to Koh Ra, and different community activities were scattered each week, to keep it from getting too repetitive.What really made the trip so amazing was our location. I booked the flight direct with Qatar, I also booked the first night hotel via Booking.com which was quick and easy to do. … Related: What are the most popular tours in Luang Prabang Province? There is also a storage area with plenty of space for both the GVI BCDs and regulators but also for personal kit. 32 GVI reviews. Would highly recommend this company for first time travellers, older volunteers or people who just want to see the world while making a difference.I have now graduated with a 2.1 in Animal Science with a wealth of experience and connections within the conservation community and I can't wait to rejoin the family in the field ASAP. However looking at other sites convinced me further that GVI was the right one to go for. They have also been consistently flexible during this time, adapting their schedules and the work to changing circumstances. Nicole, thanks for your review! My son is considering spending 6 weeks volunteering with GVI in October. Hey Millie, thanks for your review! In the evenings we often sat together, ate cake or cookies and played cards. Salary New. In addition, there are more people volunteering later in life that I realised. New Year's Sale Last Chance to Save Up to 50% OFF. The team helped us settled in quickly and I felt right at home. On the programs you see first hand how GVI approach conservation in the right way, by involving, educating, working with and benefitting local communities to ensure long term effectiveness of the conservation efforts. Tweet. I spent 2 months with GVI and the days consist of two game drives which are always full of surprise as you never know what your going to see. From the first break of morning sun across the mountain tops to the scurrying sounds of dung beetles battling over the mounds of dirt covering the path in front of us. I took my own regulator and enjoyed using it but there is ample kit if you either can't afford or don't want to get your own. Questions. GapYear.com – Volunteering: This British company updates a directory of volunteer gap year programs around the globe as well as inspirational blog stories and travel ideas. The experience I had then blew my mind and I simple had to get myself back out to South Africa and immerse myself fully into the experience. I am also very happy to hear you are now inspired to move into the conservation space. You are alwaaaays welcome to come back as quickly as you like. In your free time, you could go snorkeling, climb up the island's mountain or just chill out with the camp-tortoise "Obama". The only way a company can grow and become stronger is by each individual working together towards the same goals. I felt very supported by GVI and received TEFL training as preparation for my role and ongoing staff mentorship. My time with GVI in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica was phenomenal. I joined the GVI Seychelles marine conservation program in 2019 and it exceeded all of my expectations! As a volunteer I was privileged to teach in a Buddhist Pagoda, facilitate discussions on women's health at a University and work with a group of young Laos women to improve gender equality and empowerment. Show specific ratings Accommodation 4/5 Transportation 4.5/5 Meals 4.5/5 Value for money 4.5/5 Guide 4.5/5. Due to the amazing support from my supervisor, I felt … They help to answer any queries, doubts, or worries you may have along the way. 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