GIVE Volunteers Growth International Volunteer Excursions

GIVE makes ethical tourism & travel easy and accessible for anyone dedicated to making a positive impact. From the moment I arrived in Hawai’i, my GIVE guides welcomed me with open arms and wide smiles—they made traveling alone less frightening and helped me make memories I’ll never forget. Not only were the excursions to snorkel at the coral reefs, hiking through a volcano, and crawling through caves spectacular experiences—each project brought new and important lessons. Through our project partners we learned about the negative impact mainstream tourism has on Hawai’i, we learned about caring for the āina (land) through an indigenous perspective, and supported projects that directly helped the community. Yes, I spent a week in paradise, but this GIVE trip gave me so much more than pretty pictures. I can say that I am leaving a better person than when I came. Thank you GIVE Volunteers for this life-changing experience!

My trip to Nicaragua with Give volunteers that I took in June 2026 was a wonderful and life changing experience. All four of our guides were so great and they truly cared about making a genuine connection with me and the other volunteers. We all had so much fun together because the itinerary was never bland and neither were the people I met. One minute we would be helping the local people and environment of Jiquilillo and the next we’d be surfing the waves of the pacific. I made connections with so many locals that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Everyone in this community welcomed us with open arms and endless kindness, they showed it through the food they fed us, stories they told, and the bracelets they made for us. If you are looking for a fulfilling travel experience where you’ll meet all sorts of new friends, I recommend taking the leap and join give volunteers in Nicaragua.

This trip was life changing in so many aspects and I could not recommend it enough. We were culturally immersed in ways that were so raw and authentic and were able to build connections with the community through local guides and volunteer work. We trekked through multiple tribes and got to experience the different ways in which each lives as well as learn a part of their language and try to connect by doing Q&As and joining in traditional activities and dances. The itinerary was incredible and the team was unforgettable, I will forever cherish the connections I made through this trip.

The team was incredible and every day was planned out so thoughtfully and organized. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, it did and the connections I made on the trip feel lifelong. I learned so much not only about the culture but the spiritual connections between elephant and human and got to witness it first hand. I hope to go back soon because I don’t have enough words to describe the lessons I took away from this trip. I still cannot believe the things I did and saw and how incredible these creatures are up close. I also had the most incredible time with my guides, they kept us safe, made us laugh, and really made us feel like a part of their family and community.

I went to Tanzania, Africa. By far my favorite trip I’ve ever taken in my life. I feel as I have a whole new family and a second home. The guides and locals were so welcoming and friendly. The others on the trip were in the same boat as me so I was very comfortable and happy. I will for sure be taking another trip with GIVE volunteers. 100/10 experience, if you think you wanna do it, don’t think, just go for it!

My trip to the Big Island of Hawai’i changed my life and the way that I connect with my inner humanity. Yes, I got to go on amazing adventures like snorkeling with sea turtles, climbing a volcano and seeing it actually erupt, chasing waterfalls, exploring caves and black sand beaches, and so much more. But what made it all worth it was the relationships that I created and the wisdom that I received by living and working alongside the locals. Our project hosts gave me so many life tools with the completion of every project and our guides, Traven, Jordan, and Liv, where there to help our group every step of the way. Every time I pulled an invasive species out of the Earth, I pulled invasive thoughts out of my head. Every time I removed waste from the coastlines, I removed waste within myself. And every time I learned more of the Native’s wisdom, I unlearned the American norm of making a living and relearned the human beauty in making a life. I recommend this life altering trip to anyone and everyone. I felt so safe, so guided, and so changed the entire time. Thank you to the locals of the Big Island for welcoming me as family, my new ‘ohana that I found in my fellow volunteers, and GIVE for helping to make a trip like this possible.

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P’nice, Marilin, and Ben were the best guides I could’ve asked for. This trip exceeded expectations specifically due to them. This Thailand scuba trip gave me the opportunity to do done things people have never done or get to do

I went on a trip with GIVE in 2023 to Tanzania. I want to preface with the fact that all of the staff and people who work for GIVE were very kind and accommodating. I will also say that I had a very good time on the trip. It’s super well organized and the activities they plan for you are great. However, if you’re looking for a chance to properly experience a culture and to volunteer, there are better ways to do so which cost a fraction of what GIVE requires you pay. It may take a bit of research online, but there are definitely programs out there that will house you and allow you to stay for various durations. AIESEC is an example of a student run association which has chapters worldwide which is focused on global exchanges and leadership. If you’re interested in religion, you could even look into ministries abroad. My Swiss cousin has volunteered numerous times in countries like Uganda and Tanzania where she goes to care for children for practically FREE. This isn’t a coincidence. I think that in the US, we are very easy targets for companies like GIVE because we don’t question international trips when they cost a small fortune. With how much we already pay for our college tuitions, who better to convince to shell out money for glorified two week vacations abroad to get a glimpse of other cultures than young naive Americans with cash to burn? I spent at least $5,000 for my two week trip, including airfare. When you compare how much accommodation and food cost in Tanzania (seriously, Google it), it’s clear that most of the money probably went into paying GIVE’s staff, the excursions themselves, and funding their school project. You pay to participate and for GIVE sorting out the logistics, voilà. You get to pat yourself on the back after two hours of work then go snorkeling with dolphins. If that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for, then absolutely go for it! I would say it’s much more about sustainable tourism than anything else! But to call it a true volunteering experience, I’m not sure I would venture so far as to say that. Personally, I feel like that’s more of a marketing ploy to reel in young Americans (and occasionally people from other places) looking to get out of their comfort zones, who are tired of their usual vacations to Cancun, Mexico where they drink margaritas on a cruise ship deck while slathering on skin tan lotion. It feels more altruistic to be called a “volunteer” than a “sustainable tourist”. Better for marketing and for convincing parents and relatives to help pay for the trip. So, would I recommend GIVE Volunteers? That depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. All in all, I considered it to be a very cool vacation with fun excursions. We went on a safari, snorkeling with dolphins, on walking tours, to a spice farm etc. I had a lot of fun. However, I’d recommend you look at different options for authentic volunteering experiences for much less money (most of these destinations GIVE offers are very inexpensive in general, $3,000+ USD is a substantial sum for locals).

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Absolutely amazing! The local guides were so knowledgable and made the experience extremely unique and one that will stay with me forever. The entire trip I felt so safe, was well fed and learned lots about the culture and how I can apply different lessons to my life that I learned in Zanzibar.

I absolutely loved the Thailand Elephant Experience! The guides were all super welcoming, understanding, and so much fun to be around! They made it a goal to connect with everyone on the trip and make sure everyone was comfortable with the activities! I really enjoyed the connection to all the communities we visited. P’Dee, P’Pon Pon, and P’Ann were all excellent guides who were organized and ready to lead us on the adventure! Hunter was an absolutely amazing guide. She was welcoming, fun, and so willing to share herself with you! I hope she is able to continue her experience with GIVE in the future! I definitely feel like all the guides are now my life long friends! The experience itself was magical. Getting to see all the personal moments with the Elephants and learn so much about their history and care was amazing! I would 100% do this experience again whether it’s for the guides or the trip! I plan on traveling with GIVE again!

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I am so grateful that I decided to go on this GIVE Volunteer trip as it has taught me a lot about Hawai’i but also the relationship between the land and people. The guides were amazing, I enjoyed their energy and explanations during the trip. They made the trip enjoyable and comfortable. I found the work that we were doing to be helpful to our project partners and was glad to help. I learned so many new things about the Hawaiian culture that I would not have thought to learn without GIVE volunteers like the relationship between the land and people. The land is not just a place to live but a provider, parent or grandparent. I am glad I got to learn about the natives connection to the big island and their spiritual connection was comforting as well as eye opening. The other volunteers on this trip made it welcoming because it was also a first time with GIVE Volunteers for them and a few had already been on trips with GIVE before.

Had the most amazing experience! So many guides available at all times for support and genuinely just the coolest itinerary. You get to see the difference you make in real time as well as fun excursions like paddleboarding, sunset cruises, and boat days exploring sand banks and islands!

When I first set out on this adventure, I did not know what to expect. My friends and family, even myself, were shocked that I chose such a far and unfamiliar place with people I had never even met. Little did I know what these people and this place would mean to me when I left. Throughout these 14 days, I had the privilege of traveling, learning, and volunteering throughout northern Thailand. I experienced its rich culture, beautiful views, and the “Sabai Sabai” way. There are no words that can truly do this experience justice. Nonetheless, I met the most amazing and inspirational people, from the locals to the guides to my fellow travelers. These individuals showed me what life looks like when we’re fully present, focused on each other and our actions rather than materialistic ideologies and unrealistic standards for the world around us. I was shown how resilient we are both mentally and physically, and how essential it is to put aside our worries in order to feed our wellbeing. During my time here, I was reminded how much I value the outdoors and hard work, and shown the level of possibility that can be reached in the span of 24 hours. This trip is amazing and filled with new experiences and learning opportunities. Come in with no expectations and an open mind, and you will leave so incredibly fulfilled and changed. Say YES!!

My experience with GIVE Volunteers in Laos was truly unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed by both the GIVE staff and the local community. The trip was thoughtfully organized and balanced meaningful volunteer work with cultural immersion and adventure. The GIVE staff created a supportive, encouraging environment that made it easy to step outside my comfort zone while feeling safe and included. They were knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely cared about both the volunteers and the communities they partner with. This experience gave me a new appreciation for different cultures and reminded me of the importance of human connection. I left Laos with lifelong memories, incredible friendships, and a perspective that will stay with me for years to come. I would highly recommend GIVE Volunteers to anyone looking for a meaningful travel experience that combines service, cultural exchange, and personal growth. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm so grateful I had the chance to be a part of it.

never knew that 2 weeks could make such an impact on my life and change my perspective of life. This trip has shown me what true love, community, family, and happiness looks like. Being in rural communities that have nothing and being immersed in their world and seeing how happy, welcoming, kind, and generous they were was truly a privilege to witness, I want to thank all the wonderful people I met during this trip who made me feel like I had a family here in Nicaragua I will forever carry you in my heart. To my students your presence, personality’s , and character have left everlasting memories and joy on me and I will never forget you or our memories together. I want to encourage everyone to take a step out of your comfort zone, no matter what it may be because it may reveal something within you heart you never knew was there before. I am extremely proud of myself for deciding to take the risk and do this trip because it enabled me to witness rich culture and the most beautiful places I have ever seen

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What made this experience so great wasn't just the cool things we got to do or see but the connections and impact we were able to make. As someone who had never been outside the United States, I had many preconceived assumptions and fears about where I was going would be like. However, as each day went by throughout the trip, I got more and more comfortable about where I was, grateful for everything I had, and above all, excited about the fact that all of my fears and worries couldn't have been farther from the truth. Every Single Person throughout the trip was kind, compassionate, helpful, and thankful for us being there, despite any language barriers there might have been. Throughout the trip, we were able to make positive changes in both ourselves and the communities we were in. From helping the community's environment, children, and families to even helping its infrastructure, we were able to make a difference for good. Additionally, getting to see life from such a drastically different perspective truly was life-changing in the best way. No matter how long your trip is, it will feel like a lifetime, it will change you and those around you for the better, and it will be worth every penny...

The Thailand Elephant Experience was such a perfect trip. Right when i landed i was met by the local guides at the airport. The 3 main guides were amazing, wonderful, kind, helpful and organized. Right from day 1 they made sure we had the most perfect experience. Being up close with the elephants was truly a once in a life time experience. All of our meals were delicious and filling. The friends and connections i made throughout the week will stay with me forever. The hike through the jungle was truly a special experience, seeing the elephants in the wild, fresh fruit growing on the trees and views were spectacular. Getting to visit the local communities and learn from the residents about the Thai way of life was such a heart warming experience. If your on the fence about doing this trip, i will tell you, go ahead and book it!! You will truly love it and make wonderful connections! I have zero regrets after doing this!

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Everything about Thailand with give was absolutely unforgettable! Every person that I met and place that I went exceeded every expectation that I could have had! This trip was so so excellent. And the guides made sure that I was not only always okay but that I was given the most immersive trip possible! They were so knowledgeable when asked any question and loved to share their culture and stories with us which made the trip even better! All of the local and international guides were so kind, caring and authentically themselves! Creating such a save space for each volunteer to do the same. The itinerary was packed with a great mix of all things Thailand, and on top of the wonderful volunteering we did, it provided a truly amazing opportunity to really experience the people of Thailand and it’s culture. It truly was such an incredible opportunity!

Not only was it incredible to interact with elephants up close, but the local guides, communities who hosted us, the culture of the places we stayed, and the people I traveled with were all SO amazing. This trip was enriching, transformative, and meaningful beyond description. I grew during the trip, but also it somehow made me feel more like myself, too!! I am so grateful that I went on this trip.

Travelling with this group was a life changing experience for me and showed me that there is so much this beautiful world has to offer. The way the guides opened their hearts to strangers and welcomed us in made it really easy to get comfortable with them. They are such a close group of friends too and I really enjoyed their group dynamic. Their planning makes it really easy to go with the flow and if you just show up on time with a positive attitude then youre gonna have an absolute blast. The trip also had a really nice balance of volunteering, fun adventures, and activities that the local people led to give us an insight into the life and culture of Thailand. Really reset my mentality on how much was possible in 24 hours and showed me that I am much more capable that I thought I was. And finally, the fellow volunteers. If youre nervous then thats totally normal because so was I! What I'll say is that youll never meet a more like minded group of individuals, no matter how different we all appeared on the surface. Everyone blended together so well and it was incredible for me to see how well strangers could get along and become life long friends. It only happens if you take the leap of faith so just do it!!