Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

I was a volunteer for a few weeks at the giant tortoise breeding center on Isabella Island in the Galapagos--in a program that aims promote health populations of tortoises on the islands. I learned a lot and had a great time, and I recommend this experience to others who are looking to do overseas volunteer work for a good cause.

Isabela is an unspoilt paradise. Working with the giant tortoises was rewarding. I never imagined they ate so much !! Our accommodation in the volunteer house was excellent and the restaurants served tasty home made meals.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because Isabela truly is a unique place and the locals are incredibly friendly and interesting. Helping them or helping preserve this paradise in any way, shape or form is a true privilege.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because I believe this experience was a win win win! I gained incredible knowledge, my students practiced english and improved and my fellow volunteers learned about each other and to balance ecology with local needs.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because you get to know the Galapagos and specially Isabela, in a whole different way and meet lovely people while doing so. Howere, for that you get thud insanely expensive so you must consider that you want to spend that money.

I would recommend this volunteer experience with Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI) because not only did I enjoy teaching the children and seeing them progress. The experience also enriched my knowledge and my perspective on ife.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because the staff and volunteers are lovely. I really got to know and love the community and the island is just such a perfect place. I am so happy that I took this leap of faith and joined the IOI team. I went in solo and came out with so many rich friendships.

I would recommend this volunteer experience with Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI) because you will feel fulfilled by the work you do and you get to visit these beautiful islands with support, so you don't feel lost.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because this was one of the most memorable months of my life. I think I made some lifelong friends, because people who want to volunteer with animals are my people! I loved the animals and nature here. It's one of the most amazing places I've ever been.

I would recommend this volunteer experience with Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI), because everyone should experience the magic of this island and experience interacting with nature so closely.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because I found it to be extremely valuable to immerse myself and feel like I'm part of the town . Volunteering at the Center was very rewarding. Love to be able to give back.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because this place is like anything else. Not that I've seen the whole world but from me and everyone else I've met here has said this is one of the favorite places that I've ever been.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because Isabela and the Galapagos are a beautiful place to be it was magical to see the baby turtles find their way to the ocean. I will not ever forget this experience.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because it is a great way to see this amazing island. This experience allowed me to stay for 6 weeks on Isabela where I met people I will never forget and had a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I would definitely recomend this volunteer experience because you're in touch with the nature that surrounds us, but it's not clear in the streets. A lot of plastic and at the airport so many controls.

I would recommend this volunteer experience with Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI) to others because you will have the opportunity to meet and work with incredible people and a unique opportunity to work with amazing wildlife.

I would recommed this to others because the feeling of helping this beautiful place is better than I ever could have expected. Words cannot express my gratitude. IOI is doing such an amazing job and with such a friendly staff. The staff at the breeding center care so deply for these beautiful animals. Not only is Isabela beyond beautiful, but the people are so friendly and inviting. So happy to have been a part of this community.

Yes I would recommend this to others because Isabela is such a uniqque place to live and the people here are so welcoming. An amazing month on an amazing island. I really enjoyed my volunteer placement and saw so much wildlife in my free time.

I would recommend this experience to anyone that likes physical labor and care/feeding of these lovely creatures. As a newly retired senior (72) it was an incredible experience to contribute to the program and community.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it will help you to develop other skills, meet people and new place while you are on the program. I couldn`t be more grateful with this experience. Thanks to IOI to support the community and local environment/animals with their programs.

This program and my time spent in Isabela was truly life changing. The opportunities I had have allowed me to grow as a person both culturally and academically. Isabela will always have a special place in my heart and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because it was cool to get to know the culture and to work at the tortoise center. It was a great experience and I had a lot of fun! Everyone was super nice and helpful.

I loved my experience with Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI) and I would recommend the program to anyone. The memories and experiences of the Galapagos are for a lifetime, and IOI ensured that we got amazing experiences.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because of short days, lots of free time/options for volunteering. I had an amazing time and enjoyed learning about Galapagos and helping the National Park.

This was so unbelievably enriching to my life. I've learned more about myself and the world around me in the last 3 months than the last 3 years. I'll never forget my time here and will treasure it always. Thank you IOI for an amazing semester!

Yes I would recommend! You know all people allover the world, you live in a beautiful place, in close contact with nature. People are nice and Ecuadorian culture is very interesting. Unforgetable, exciting, impressive, constructive.

I would absoloutely recommend this volunteer experience because travelling to the Galapagos provides an invaluable amount of knowledge on the ecosystem and importance of biodiversity, and the tortoises were cute and fun. This experience was the best way to dive into nature and surround myself with like-minded individuals that i absoloutely needed! Had so much fun and made lifelong memories in one of the most beautiful areas of the world!

I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. IOI has a wonderful study abroad experience tailored to provide opportunities to explore the island, learn about the culture, and grow as an individual. I think this has been the most important experience of my life. I loved every second and would do it all again.

It was certainly exciting, fast-pace, rewarding and a truly once in a lifetime experience. It was one of my favorite trips because we saw a wide array of habitats and wildlife in such a short amount of time.

I admire how involved IOI was in the community and well known the work IOI does in the community. I am very thankful to have gotten to work with an amazing non-profit and believe I have made useful connections for my future career.

I am so grateful I came, it was the best thing I could've done for myself. It was such a time for growing and learning, and if anyone has the chance to come and study abroad they should take it. Thank you Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)!

I would recommend this volunteer experience because you would not experience the island community if you were not part of the local projects. It was an amazing experience being a part of the island. It felt like home and the ability to integrate and enjoy/explore the Galapagos Islands.

I would recommend this volunteer experience, specifically the tortoise center, but I think it should be clear that you are also paying to support other projects that are unrelated to what you are working on.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because it is an incredible experience that one can only have right here. I would recommend this to everyone! I really liked my IOI expereince. My host family was great and so was the tortoise center.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because it allows you to quickly become immersed in life on the Galapagos. It was a great opportunity to live and work on Isabela. It is an opportunity not to be missed.

I would recommend this experience to others because it is a good thing to walk so close together with nature and to see how small mistake can have huge effects to the nature. The experience you get while volunteering you can't get in any other way. It's a great thing to work together with the habitants, animals and nature of a totally different plance than home.

I would recommend this program to animal lovers. It is very fulfilling work. This volunteer experience is great for meeting new people and engaging in team work with them. Additionally, this form of saving a species. These tortoises have been around a long time and deserve resepect.

I would recommend this program to others because it is a great experience to work with the tortoises contributing to animal welfare and to work in a friendly environment. I had a very great 3 week experience working at the breeding center with the tortoises. These creatures are just so special and it felt very good to help an endangered species.

I had an absolute blast volunteering for 3 weeks at the Tortoise Breeding Center on Isabela! I spent the mornings at the center doing a variety of tasks such as feeding the tortoises, maintaining their enclosures, landscape work on the grounds and even painting informational signs. Since I had free time every afternoon and on weekends, there was more than enough time to partake in the popular tours based on the island as well as enjoying Puerto Villamil town itself. I would recommend staying with a host family as they will help you really get to experience the island and they are all amazing people. I enjoyed my time volunteering so much that I extended my stay a week (thanks to the quick help of the lovely IOI team) -- if you are wondering how long you should stay, go for as long as you possibly can, you won't regret it!

I loved the idea of learning more about organic coffee production. Walter Osorio was a fabulous teacher and a great guy to work for. Yes, it's hard work and the conditions are quite basic but the experience was truly incredible. I've written up the experience in great detail on my blog if you want to take a look. If you're travelling for more than a month, try out the different projects as you will gain such a wide range of experience and meet such different people. It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a truly gorgeous part of the world with its breathtaking scenery and big hearted people!

I would because it is a life time experience. The recovery of the tortugas to support, to experience local families and to support them. Once in a lifetime experience in animal welfare in paradisical landscape and the inhabitants of the island are incredible and friendly.

I would because it helps other people, nature and yourself become better. It has improved my confidence and united me forever with people and culture that I otherwise would never have known.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it widened my world view and opened my mind to traveling in South America. What an amazing experience! This community has so much to offer and this has been the trip of a lifetime. 10 / 10 would come again.

I would recommend this volunteer exoerience to others because the experience is worth seeing the wild life and experiencing the culture. It was an adventure of a lifetime. TO experience a new culture and work with amazing pelpe. I got to help contirbute to the population of Galapgos tortoises.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because the tortoises were cute and oscar was very fin. You get tons of free time to do tours and such. I absoloutley loved my experience here. It was both eye-opening and fun. I would recommend this program to animal lovers and introverts alike. This experience really brought me out of my shell.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because this feels like a once in a lifetime experience. The Galapagos and live like a local! I truly enjoyed my time here, I loved learning from the animals, workers, IOI staff, volunteers and locals. It was exciting to live a totallly different life for a couple of weeks.

I would definitley recommend this volunteer experience working at the breeding centre to anyone passionate about nature, working was giant tortoises, working to send time making a difference in the Galapagos and willing to work hard. It was an incredible experience getting to work so closely with giant galapagos tortoises everyday in such a beautiful place. There was a balance of work in the morning and free time in the afternoons spent at the beach, snorkelling or going on various tours. Overall it was an amazing time volunteering at the breeding centre on Isabela, IOI as an organisation was very professional and staff members were willing to help with any and all questions that may arise. I would highly recommend!

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because I think it shifts ones perspective and helps them to understand how they can help others. It is a great way to come to the Galapagos as a tourist which being involved in the lives of locals.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is a one time opportunity where you can make a difference in helping an endangered species on a lovely island. I really enjoyed my stay, as I have not only learned about tortoises and the Galapagos, but also learned so much about myself by talking with people from all around the world while actually making a difference within my project.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is a great way to have an incredible intercultural experience whilst enjoying the natural beauty of this remote location. A unique and beautiful insight into the way people live in this remote part of the world whilst helping to protect our fragile environment.

The month was a huge experience for me and it has brought me further, personally. During the program, living with the family was great! I will keep all three projects and the people I met in very good memory.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it opens your eyes to beautful cultures and people and it makes you learn so much about yourself and your capacities. This experience got me out of my comfort zone and een if it was hard at times, I came out even more open minded and wanting to help others in the future, which is the greatest gift.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is eye opening anf you get to soend time with tortoises and meet new people from around the world. It has been one of my best experiences so far and I would recommend it to anyone who is able to experience the island, the center, the people and the culture.

Puerto Villamil is a welcoming, quaint, unique beach town with lovely people. Having the chance to experience the volcano, highlands, beach environments, and village is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

This experience was a once in a lifetime trip I will never forget. This island is truly magical and the community has so much wisdom to share with the world. I hope someday everyone can experience the beauty and wonders of the Galápagos.

I would recommend this volunteer exoerience to others because it has been an amazing two weeks. I made great friends and learned so much about the animals whilst making a difference. An AMAZING two weeks that I will never forget. I got to know Puerto Villamil so well and all the people in it, whilst being a part of a great project working to save a rare species.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because of the amazing staff and volunteers, the impact of the volunteering, the variety of volunteering to do and the magic of Isabela island. My experience with IOI was incredible. It truly felt like the most meaningful, informative, and exciting three months of my life! I would recommend IOI to anyone who wants to make a difference, explore Isabela Island, or simply have a change for normal life.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others becaue the life and the project here are so 'exotic' you feel like you are on another planet. Every day was a lovely day, I did everything I wanted and even more!

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because I plan to return next year with my daughter and my son. Amazing price, exceptional accommodations, life changing experiences, while gaining lifelong friends.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is an amazing experience. The place and the people will be an experience you will never forget. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is a once in a lifetime experience and the people, animals abd culture are amazing. 10/10 experience. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to live on Isabela, be a part of the local culture, get to know other volunteers from all around the world and get the chance to interact with the amazing animals. Very grateful.

I would definitley recommend this volunteer experience to others because the work and time of work are really great. It is a great way to meet nice people and the island is amzaing. I loved my volunteer experience. The work I have done felt really good and the people that I have met were amazing. All of it while being in a paradisical place.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because I feel this is a great way to travel. I actually have more of a reason to be here than just my own selfish reason. I get to travel and give back to the community.

I would recommend this experience to others if they have a passion for wildlife and are not afraid of hard work. They will be rewarded with a cool team, a sense of accomplishment and one of the best office views. It has been a dream to work with such a supportive team and to see the lifestyle of both the tortoise and turtles. I am thankful to have the oppurtunity to have a cultural exchange with my host family and the chance to practise my Spanish.

It is an experience that will change your perspective on culture differences and how to handle them. It makes you grow and become a stronger version of yourself. My volunteer experience was awesome and will always be remembered with a smile. It made me stronger and contributed to the person I really want to become in my future.

This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The field trips were amazing and learning about these islands was an even bigger treat. The people of isabela are some of the nicest people I have ever met and this place has changed my life forever. I would totally recommend this study abroad to others because it is a once in a life time experience. The island of Isabela has changed my life. not only did I receive an extensive education about the biodiversity and ocean processes but i learned even more about a different culture. I made some of my best friends on this trip, both in the IOI group and from Isabela. I would not change anything.

IOI provides a unique opportunity to live and study in one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse places in the world. We had classin the field and saw so many amazing things. I would recommend this study abroad experience.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it was excllent! Wonderful place, people and staff all around. The work we have been allowed to support with is a level of access not usually available when travelling anf clearly aligned to helping the local population and wildlife. The main downside that must be addressed is some major examples of expectation mimanagement before arrival.

I would definitley recommend. In fact we talked to multiple parties on the beach that had an interest in doing the turtle ensting. It was easy to recommend. Doing the morning and evening walks on the beach for the turtle nesting was an awesome experience. To have the opportunity tosee a sea turtle laying her eggs is something I will never forget.

I would 10000% recommend IOI, but I can't say I would recommend the social media position. While it was fascinating to learn how different farms and restaurants operate, I felt it was difficult to produce the materials needed due to the technological issues. I feel I have supported an organisation that makes a real difference to people. I met amazing staff and volunteers along the way. I would love to come back for another program, or continue to work with IOI in the future - please do get in touch if there is any way I can help.

I spent one week in the Turtle Nest Monitoring team and one week in the Ecotourisn Team. For me it was a perfect mix of both activities. I felt very welcomed from the first second on, I was blessed with a wonderful caring family and I don’t want to miss this great time on Isabela Island. You can feel and see that IOI really cares about nature and the community, to be a part of this was a great experience. The mix of working, spending the time with your family, have time to explore nature by yourself or with other volunteers was so much fun and overwhelming. I hope I can stay in contact with many of them. Even if I immediately learned that my Spanish was very rusted, I am more than happy I have chosen to stay with a local family - people and so caring, openminded, friendly and thankful! There are so many things you can do - from snorkeling to biking, diving, hiking…. You will love this beautiful landscape.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is so hands on and involved, and you really feel lie you're contributing to the work on the island. The cost to volunteer is also extremely reasonable, especially compared to other programmes and you get access to a beautiful island! I loved my time with IOI on Isabela and i'm so sad it's over. I feel like i've really contributed to the work at the tortoise centre, and learnt a lot about the challenges and cultural differences faced when living on an island like Isabela. I will be extremely sad to leave and can't wait to return.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because it has been a once in a lifetime experience, completing work through a great organisation. IOI provides a range of incredible opportunities, offering many different programme options. Over my stay I was lucky enough to work as a giant tortoise centre volunteer, turtle nest monitor, and social media volunteer. Personally, these have all provided unforgettable experiences, and have developed my skills tremendously. However, the most important aspect of my stay has been the impact made as an IOI volunteer, working closely with the PNG and local community. IOI's focus on intercultural integration ensures your efforts are utilised where needed most, for a truly dynamic and fulfilling experience.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because it is a great opportunity to give back to a beautiful community while still being able to enjoy the many attractions the islands have to offer. Being able to work hands on with special animals is also an amazing experience and gives you a greater appreciation for all of the diversity on Earth.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it was the best way I have ever travelled, and we travel a fair amount! Unbelievable experiences- it was like living in a NatGeo Wild show! Our IOI volunteer experience was amazing- it was better than I could ever have imagined even after reading what we would be doing. It was pure magic to be on Isabela.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because you can learn a lot about tortoise conservation and spend quality time ith this delightful, fascinating animals! I´ve ad a very positive experience here and wishI signed up for longer! Volunteering on the Galapagos has been one of the best experiences of my lif and I wish to return, hopefully for longer next time!

The professionalism is impecable on all counts, I felt secure in my placement. No negative comments. I would strongly recommend this program to other because of the fascinating hands on work done with the incredible animals on the island as well as the great features of IOI´S program. This volunteer experience will always live in y memory as two of the most fulfilling, adventurous, incredible, happy weeks of my life. They aren´t enough adjectives to describe how amazing my time here has been. From the beauty of the island to the unique wildlife and the community, i will always look back on my time here with nothing but joy in my heart.

Would recommend it beacuse of the overall experiece, the accomodation and the people. The experience as an IOI volunteer was amazing, they took really good care of us and i was able to the Galapagos to the fullest and enjoy at the same time.

I would recommend this volunteer experience because you will definitley leave your comfort zone, but you will love it there! It is an adventure and you will feel so proud of yourself afterwards. You did it!

I would recommend this volunter experience because it's the Galápagos, it's with a great and caring institution and it's supporting the local community. I've been so lucky to come to the beautiful island of Isla Isabela and volunteer with the IOI. You can feel that you are making an impact and I made friends for life - other volunteers and my amazing host family. I would do it agaian, and maybe even will do so some time!

I would recommend this program because the work/relax balance is good, and it feels great to make a difference! Volunteering has been an amazing experience to connect with the local culture and nature. To feel like you're contributing to keeping this paradise preserved is profound. The friendships and memories I've made here have made an amazing impct on my life.

I would recommend this volunteer experience! It's an amazing place and it's very rewarding to try and make some small difference for these animals. And it's a much deeper experience than normal tourism. The IOI program was fantastic and I'm sad to be leaving. I loved making even a small difference for the sea turtles and hopefully my efforts will help a few more to be able to successfully nest or a few more babies make it out into the world.

It was a great experiencce and I would recommend it to everybody who loves working with animals and want to contribute to a meaningful project. The experience of the daily island life was incredible! I feel the contribution and that i had an impact with hlping at the breeding center.

I would recommend it as it´s well organized, at a beautiful and oce in a lifetime experience. It was an incredible experience to work with the tortoises and the people on the island. Amazing time and I came back home with a smile everyday.

Good to have more a pupose to travel. It is a great way to get to know the island and an opportunity to give back. It was also a great experience working with the wonderful tortoises everyday is something i will never forget. It was amazing to feel part of the Galápagos rather than just a regular tourist.

Isabela is a stunning place a real paradise but after a few weeks it can become very repetitive wich is also very expensive. Working with Latin American farmers and the tortoises was an incredible experience.

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it allows a wonderful opportunity to visit a beautiful location while contributing to the local community. There is so much to do. As a social media volunteer, I ws gifted the experiences of witnessing IOI's impact in a variety of capacities.IOI provides the training wheels for community initiatives to thrive their way.

I would recommend the program. Got to see some things that as tourist i would not have seen, met some wonderful people on the island. Learned a lot about the Galapagos islands, some things i never thought about before. wish I had stayed longer. The overall experience is 10/10

It was a very amazing experience to be on the island and meet locals. Our time on Isabela was very peaceful. The schedule allowed a lot time to explore the island, im hoping to go to Cuba soon with IOI, such a good organization and totally worth it, the overall was excelenet.

Do it, you will be in one of the last places on earth where conservation is the priority, if amazing wildlife, life-changing experiences also a crazy perspective of life, be part of Galapagos. I would recommend this study abroad experience because it opened my eyes to the many different ways to live an amazing life, showed me amazing wildlife, and save me lifetime memories.

It optimizes your marine/biology education experiences and also allows you to fully embrace yourself in not only a new culture but also incredible opportunities in the field. I couldn't have imagined going to a different study abroad, because of IOI everything was perfect. So amazing.

This experience had been a dream of mine for so long with such high expectations it still blew them away. The nature and wildlife are something I wish I could stay with forever. The community is so amazing. It was great making friends and I love the small-town life more than anything, thank you for this experience. I love this island, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience the people made it feel like hoe I will miss this place every day.

Best experience of my life. Feels so unreal and looking back on everything bring tears of joy to my eyes. A truly unique and surprising experience, being able to be apart of the community in various ways

I was so nervous before coming here because it´s so far and I didn´t know what to expect. However, with everyone being so friendly and helpful it didn´t take long for me to feel completely like at home. The volunteer scheme, the people, the town, the animals, the trips, the accommodation, everything was absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much, IOI!

I had a truly wonderful time working with tortoises at the breeding center. We got a chance to feed and care for them and improve their conditions. I cried on my last day, they are too sweet. I already want to come back!

I am so happy I decided to volunteer here. This wonderful island has opened my eyes more to nature and other people. I will never forget the amazing experience I had and will always remember how important was to help the environment.

I had a love/hate relationship with my volunteer experience, I have never been more homesick in my life, this is the largest trip I have ever taken, and traveling alone is scary. However, I have never been surrounded by so much nature and beauty before.

I enjoyed my time volunteering with IOI. I worked at the tortoise Breeding Center in July. It was quite an experience to feed and be close to these large reptiles. In addition, I got the chance to use my Spanish skills and get a cultural immersion.

This was my second time volunteering with IOI and I couldn´t be happier to be back. I knew the animals of the island would be wonderful but I didn't realize just how incredible the people, community, and culture would be.

I would recommend this place because it´s a very eye-opening experience. It´s hard work but very fun and knowledgeable, it´s opened my eyes to be not only grateful to be here but grateful for what you have

I am not on Facebook or Instagram but I would tell you that words can't even describe what a wonderful time I had on the Galapagos Islands. It was so much more than I even expected. The accommodations were way better then I expected. The wildlife that I saw was amazing. Working at the Tortoise breeding center was wonderful. I love the giant Tortugas! They are gentle giants. Emilio and his mother Sara were also the best. The food was fantastic! The people were so generous and friendly. I had experiences that made made me feel 40 years younger. I learned how to surf at age 61! It was amazing! I can't say enough good about my experience.

I had a great time during my two weeks on Isabela Island, Galapagos with IOI. I wish I stayed at least one more week. I thoroughly enjoyed working on the beach although it was the end of the nesting season. Unfortunately I did not get to see a nest hatch, but enjoyed everything else about doing what I was doing. I was fortunate to get to move over to the Galapagos Tortoise program since the sea turtle program pretty much was done for the season. The breeding center is quite nice and it was very interesting to actually see that the huge tortoises have their own personalities.

Going to Galapagos has always been a dream of mine, but I wanted to go there and actually try to do something to help, which is why I'm so happy with IOI as that's what they provide. It suits folks like me who love travelling but wish to have a different experience than just going abroad as a regular tourist. I really have almost no complaints about the project because the whole trip was just so fantastic for me. The scenery was amazing; I got to see almost all the animals that Galapagos has to offer; the work (and it really was work) in the tortoise centre every morning was sometimes hard but totally rewarding; the locals were great; the other volunteers were great too. Even the food was fabulous, much better than I expected. For people wanting to go to Galapagos I would say be prepared for a few things though. First the heat and humidity, it can be incredibly hot in March. Second don't expect to see too much of the islands as they are huge! Lastly, don't go if you don't like boats. All in all however it's a great place to visit and certainly for me I had a fantastic time.

We were thrilled to have the experience of working directly with the Giant Tortoises on Isabela. We felt the work to be valuable and make a difference towards the conservation efforts for these species. From feeding them to cleaning out their enclosures and ponds, the work was rewarding. Every day we walked through the wetlands and spotted flamingos and marine iguanas, which never ceased to amaze. We also enjoyed staying with a host family on the island, who gave us an insight into the local culture and island life. I would highly recommend this programme to those who love animals and nature.

Not really sure the impact my 3 weeks in the turtle walk program made and feel like I could have stayed in the Galapagos for less money, but without hesitation I give this program a 10/10 and highly recommend to anyone wanting to be more than just a tourist. Walking a beautiful beach every morning / afternoon with purpose is a wonderful feeling. With IOI you are instantly plugged into a local and volunteer community and can see first hand the value of all the different programs, which are efforts I gladly support. I deeply miss the splendor of this island and applaud the efforts of IOI!

My time in the Galapagos was a life changing experience and my volunteer placement only enhanced my enjoyment. the volunteer house was an excellent place to live for a month and a half and helped me bond faster with my fellow volunteers. Everyone in the IOI staff made me feel very taken care of and the workers at the tortoise centre were equally as kind

It was such a unique experience staying in the Galapagos Islands and working with IOI. I got to be part of making a difference in the community and I learned a lot while doing so. I am so grateful for this experience!

I was doing the social media volunteering on Isabela island. This included the follow-up of different activities and documenting them for online purposes. As a ioi-volunteer you are also allowed to access areas that are forbidden for the public as for instance at the breeding center, which gives you a deeper insight of the work going on there. Further, i was also able to go up to the highlands for helping there a family with coffee harvesting and stuff, which was interesting and fun to do. If you plan to stay for a longer period, then you will also need to think about own projects I guess, my time was two weeks only which was fair enough to follow up the daily activities.

This tiny NGO with a huge heart is saving the fragile coral reef system in southern Isla de la Juventud. Wonderful, welcoming, and supportive. If you love scuba and/or snorkeling, nature... you must go!

My study abroad experience with IOI in the Galapagos was more than I could have ever expected. Being there for three months, I felt fully immersed into such a small and loving community. Isabela island became my second home. Each and every single field trip that we participated in lead to a trip of a lifetime. Stumbling upon wild orcas, snorkeling with penguins, hiking up sulfur volcanoes, each trip was something magical. The community of Isabela itself was also the kindest, most welcoming community I have ever witnessed. They are also some of the most environmentally friendly and ocean loving people I have ever met, which shocked me for such a small island. IOI made this special trip even more special for me. With their 100% support and care, they made this trip perfect. Overall, my one piece of advice would be that if you ever get the chance to visit the Galápagos Islands, take it.

I had a really good time volunteering for the sea turtle nest monitoring. I met some amazing people and had so much fun working for IOI. I was lucky enough to even see a turtle laying eggs one night (which is quite rare to see).

I had a very positive experience and would highly recommend. I found the staff at IOI very helpful and accommodating to my needs as an older volunteer. I also enjoyed the other volunteers who were very interesting and helpful.

It seems that dreams are there to be made. My dream was to go to the Galapagos Islands to work with giant tortoises and discover this unique and wonderful place. So I gave the means to realize my dream and left for the adventure. During one month, I had the opportunity to feed the tortoises at the breeding center, to see the birth of baby tortoises and even to measure them. Despite the prejudices about the slow speed of the turtles, taking care of giant tortoises is not that easy but always brings great moments and memories. Moreover the way to take to go to work is already an amazing experience as I met everyday about 15 flamingos, many marine iguanas and other lizards or birds on my 30 minutes walk. I really enjoyed my free afternoons to visit the islands, to go on excursions around the island and to simply relax on the beach. This a very good rhythm that allowed me to discover a new culture and a new place while gaining professional experience in a wonderful environment. The staff was great, always ready to help me. Living in a host family was a very nice experience as well to learn more about their culture and improve my Spanish skills. Working with giant tortoises is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

Traveling to Cuba was a really unique experience. The people were wonderful, the work was fun, and the food was tasty too. I had originally signed up for the sea turtle restoration program, but we unfortunately didn't have enough time in Cuba to do it. The coral reef program, however, was great. Just double check which program you will actually do, since you need a scuba license to do coral reef restoration!

I had a great time volunteering at the tortoise breeding centre. Tortoises (and staff!) were lovely and it was lots of fun. It was quite easy work and we had afternoons free to explore the island :-) .

A well-ran, sustainable project in a beautiful part of the world. I was involved / hands-on with such amazing activities including monitoring rays, turtles and Loras parrots. The NGO, Equipo Tora Carey, are doing marvellous things towards the marine conservation effort there, and it was a privilege to have played a small part in that. It was exciting to immersed into the local community in El Jobo and I would advise that your conversational Spanish should be very good to keep up with this close-knit, friendly, welcoming community who love to talk!

My stay in El Jobo was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. This was mostly due to the people involved with Equipo Tora Carey who approach the project with total passion and enthusiasm. Activities of ray and turtle monitoring, night beach patrols and bird watching were always amazing, throwing up many surprises along the way. Finally, the opportunity to stay with a host family and become more immersed in the community completed the experience, making it a thoroughly enjoyable trip.

I loved my stay in Cocodrilo. My host was extremely accommodating and the community was welcoming. I felt well-received and taken care of, and like I was actually helping through the volunteer work. Would recommend.

My time with IOI was amazing. It was like a retreat in that it was so relaxing, refreshing, and spiritual. It was also a great experience to learn about field work in marine science. It was even like an adventure in that new and exciting things could happen at any moment.

Overall I very much enjoyed Cuba, however I was expecting to learn and experience coral reef restoration or at the very least get more dives under my belt considering the cost of the program. I feel that the program description is incorrect.

I think this is a great experience if you're interested in hanging out on a small beach town in a culturally interesting place. Make sure you go November - March (outside of hurricane season and before getting into the rainy season) as this will make it much easier to avoid the hot/humid temperatures as well as the mosquitos. The house in Cocodrillo doesn't have air conditioning which means you have to leave the windows open in order to avoid overheating. Unfortunately the high number of mosquitos there will enter the room where you sleep and no amount of mosquito repellant will to keep them from biting you. Another thing to note is that although I would highly recommend the village and the overall experience I can't say that I perceived this to be a highly impactful volunteer opportunity. If you go into this looking for a good time I think this is a great place to do it!

We had a really good time on Isabela. During the first week we suffered a dip in motivation, when we found out that there were only very few turtle nests on the beach. This of course is much more sad for the turtles than it was for us. But during the second week IOI arranged some other activities for us, so that we could help the National Park with cleaning the mangroves and sea bottom. These activities helped us to feel more useful. Overall, we had a very good time. We learned a lot, saw a lot of beautiful things and animals, had an interesting cultural experience and had a lot of fun.

Hi my name is Sara Stewart. I am an early/childhood education major at SUNY Cortland. This past winter I went to San Cristobal in the Galapagos islands in Ecuador. My project that I had was teaching children in Ecuador English. I taught four classes every weekday and I planned lessons in the morning for a hour. All of the classes I taught were very different from each other. The first class I taught was a beginners class. This ranged from students who were typically five to six years old who barley knew any English. The next class I taught was advanced. This class consisted mainly of seven to eight year olds. The advanced class has mediocre English skills and the aspect that these students struggled with most was grammar. The third class I taught was level five. Level five consisted of eight to ten year olds. These students spoke some clear statements, but these students as well struggled with grammar. The last class I taught was a conversation class. This was the most advanced class I taught. This class consisted of twelve to fourteen year olds. These students when I were there had a one on one helper and I was one of the students helper. The whole time you would talk in English and ask the students any questions that cam dot your mind. This program had many supplies that you can use in your classroom and were willing to add anything you thought would be beneficial to the classroom. Staff Support: The staff support was amazing. They provided me with transportation the minute I got off the flight. They introduced me to mu host family right when I got there. Later on in the first day they showed me where I would be working. They explained to me what was expected of me. Then they walked me around to show me where some cool places were. The first day of volunteering they picked me up and made sure I learned the walk to the work place. They also help me meet other volunteers. They also helped me to get adjusted to teaching ESL learners. They provided me with the resources I needed to teach the children. They even let me work on the conversation for a morning to see the turtles. There are many activities to do on the Galapagos. I wish I had more time because there was so much I wanted to do! One thing I would recommend when being on San Cristobal is doing the 360 tour. During this tour you are on about ride. The boat ride takes you to many beaches that you couldn’t get to other than by boat. It then it takes you to other amazing snoring sites, such as my favorite kicker rock! When Snorkeling in kicker rock I saw hammerhead sharks and a few Galapagos sharks. I also saw sea turtles and many exotic fish it was a great experience! This tour was very affordable and I would highly recommend it. San Cristobal has another beautiful site, which is the volcano. The volcano doesn’t have may tourists that come to visit, but it is one of the most beautiful sites on the island. On the island there are tons of beaches, there are tons of beautiful hikes and tons of water activities that are worth checking out. The wild life is also amazing! The turtles park is a must see., They have a conversation for the turtles. You can see really tiny ones up to ones that are huge and are older than one hundred years old. San Cristobal is an amazing place. Anyone who has the opportunity to go I would highly recommend it. I would also suggest going to the other two islands, that is the one aspect that I regret not doing most!

I had an amazing experience on Isabela Island. The organisation was completely smooth, thanks again for that! I didn´t have to take care of anything and could simply enjoy my stay there, the time with the turtoises and my time off. More details see below.

I had a marvelous time in Cocodrilo. This is a unique opportunity because tourism isn't developed here. I loved the whole experience and miss the wonderful people I met. The diving was beautiful. I definitely want to go back!

Excellent trip! I had an amazing time in Cocodrilo because I was able to learn about coral reefs and the different kinds of conservation methods that are being used in this area. I also got to meet local people and understand Cuba in a way that I had never thought of before.

My Galapagos trip was amazing! I immediately felt welcome on the island, both by the staff who greeted us at the port and then by my host family and local community. I had the freedom to explore, learn, and make new friends, but also felt supported and prepared by IOI for my volunteer project and any trips we took. My host family was wonderful too - not only was the house lovely, clean, and safe, but I became very close to my host family, going on bike trips, sipping coconuts in their hammocks, and watching Disney movies in Spanish with their adorable seven-year-old daughter. Definitely recommend this program!

I had such an incredible, life changing experience on my trip with IOI to Cocodrilo in Cuba. Pre-Trip communication was clear and my pre-trip questions were quickly responded to. I felt extremely prepared and well informed for my trip. During my trip I felt well taken care of and supported by the IOI Cuba staff. More specifically, my time spent in Cocodrilo was a perfect mix of beautiful, safe, and exciting. The volunteer opportunities were very accurately advertised and the diving and snorkeling were breathtaking. The house in Cocodrilo (Villa Arrecife) is very comfortable, the community is nice, safe, and engaging. There is so much to do and so much to see in this small town! I was in Cocodrilo for 3 weeks and could have stayed longer. I cannot wait to be involved in another program with this organization!

My experience with IOI in Cuba was great! They were very organized and I was well prepared for my trip. Their partners in Cuba were outstanding. The leader of the dive program in Cocodrillo is very warm, friendly and confidence-inspiring. All the drivers they partnered with were nice and professional. I absolutely loved Cocodrilo! The volunteer house there was clean and comfortable, the food INCREDIBLE, and the village people so friendly and FUN! My only disappointment was not being quite as useful as I was maybe hoping. However, I was there for only 4 days, which is 3 days less then the one week minimum, so it's partially my fault. :p We counted fish, planted coral and picked up trash. I felt like my main contribution was cultural exchange and supporting the reef monitoring program on Cocodrillo.

My friend and I who are both scuba certified decided to do this program as we are both interested in keeping our oceans healthy, Cuba and to be honest wanted more scuba experience with a more meaningful purpose. This program did not disappoint. Katie the organizer was incredibly helpful in making sure we felt safe and secure in coming to Cuba despite changes in US Cuba regulations. Our dive master renaldo was knowledgeable, excited and caring. His sister who was our housekeeper/ cook was incredible sweet and a very fun dancer. The ocean life was amazing and the town very small and friendly. Bonus: my Spanish improved tremendously over the week. I would advise though to have at least intermediate Spanish as no one speaks English and some terms in the work are more technical. Overall an amazing experience, I can’t wait to go back.

This was a great program, in part for learning about the slow but necessary process of preserving, protecting and restoring a coral reef. But more than that, we learned so much about Cuba, a mysterious country to those of us from the US but one that is so full of life, music, and the best people, especially in Cocodrilo.

I know if I were able to speak Spanish my experience would of been completely different. I did have a good experience but I do think it would of been improved if there was more emphasis on the need to speak Spanish before I arrived.

It was absolutely amazing! Reinaldo basically knows the answer to any question having to do with Cocodrilo's environment both land and sea. The program was great, you could tell that it's in it's beginning stages but it has so much potential. I'm looking forward to how it'll be in the future!

Program that IOI offers is fantastic. Impeccable organization starting from travel arrangements, pick ups, host family placement and of course the work at the breeding center. Go and experience yourself. You will thank me later for the recommendation!

We were one of the first volunteer groups at this site, so IOI is still getting the program fully organized. We enjoyed our volunteer activities - cleaning the coral scaffolding, coral cleaning, ocean trash removal, invasive species removal - but there was not enough of these activities. They only occupied a few hours each day at most. We also would have liked to interact with local people more during our stay.

I am very excited about the sea turtle monitoring project because it is a wonderful way for people to help the national park with data collection and to increase awareness about sea turtle nesting behavior and life cycle. Both of the nighttime monitoring groups were lucky enough to see a sea turtle, but only my group was able to see one nesting. I loved being able to see the whole process and getting the opportunity to collect information about the turtle for the national park. Growing up in Florida I have always been fascinated by sea turtle and getting the chance to have this experience has just made my love that much deeper.

I spent 5 weeks volunteering at IOI in the Galapagos Islands working on the social media team. IOI’s strong local involvement allowed me to really become a part of the tight-knit community here, where I got to hear amazing stories and become friends with many of the locals. Through volunteering with the social media team I got to photograph and participate in many local events including parties, beach clean-ups, and health seminars. I was able to spend time with other volunteers to learn about what they were doing to help the community, from teaching English in schools to volunteering at the tortoise breeding center. IOI allowed me to showcase my marketing, web design, and social media skills on a variety of online platforms. The best part is that the volunteer schedule is flexible and not overly-demanding allowing me to get out and explore the natural beauty of the Galapagos!

I can't even begin to describe the amazingness of this island Isabela in the Galapagos and my experience with IOI. The first thing that comes to mind when I look back on my time there is not only the constant surrounding natural beauty of the island, but also the beautiful people who helped to make the experience possible and fun. I loved how accepting and community oriented the people of Galapagos and IOI are! They welcome you in, help you learn Spanish, learn the town layout, learn about the best spots to see, show you how to travel around the islands, invite you to new experiences with the locals, and feed you new foods that became a staple in my every day life now and forever. The lifestyle on the Galapagos is enough to pull you back again, I know it did for me as I left the first time and couldn't help but return the following weeks! My family was so accepting and helpful; the living situation is definitely comfortable enough and it's nice to feel lazy and get breakfast, lunch and dinner every day made for you. Plus I thought it was usually delicious! The activities on the island keep you moving, out and about, in the sunshine, and connected to the people and wildlife most importantly :) The wildlife is indescribable! How close they come to you and how much you see there it's just like no other place you've ever been before. They're so calm and the community is very respectful to the wildlife in every way. If you love animals this is the number one place for you to go! Working in the tortoise center on top of that is like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. It was so nice to be outside in the corrals feeding the tortoises and cleaning them up. I was lucky enough to work with another local for the first two weeks, who taught me a lot of Spanish while feeding tortoises. I had a very nice host family brother who showed me all the snorkeling and surfing areas in the island and took me to get food at local restaurants on the island. This is definitely the way to become friends with the community easier.. through having a host family. The IOI facilities are very nice, I was surprised. They have one of the more structured and modern buildings on Isabela Island. I often spent time sitting in hammocks on the patio there and using wifi to connect my laptop for Skype, movies, or whatever. But there's much more to do there than sit in front of a laptop. They also have a grand open space in the back with plenty of social room and room for activities like dance, classes, yoga, hanging out, etc. The most common things to do on the island would be exploring nature, snorkeling, sitting on the beautiful beaches for sunset, surfing, swimming in the warm water :), being with family, going to soccer games, eating along the strip of restaurants, and dancing at night with locals! Days are joyful, work is rewarding, food is good, and the people are friendly, warm, and lively. IOI is extremely helpful every step of the way, well organized, on top of everything and furthermore will help you with any problem you come to them with. Like wanting to come back! haha I clearly had a great experience there and can't wait to go back and try volunteering with other programs as well as teach English some day!

IOI is a wonderful organization that works not only in but also with the community to bring change in all aspects. Changing the community for the better as well as the volunteers who are exposed to such a different culture and way of life. It teaches volunteers about the beautiful mystery that is Mother Nature and the complexity that is living in a small community in Paradise Island known as Isabela. The volunteer becomes Darwin, a scientist looking for something you don’t even know you are looking for. When you find it that is the experience. That is what you leave behind and what you take with you. Hopefully, returning one day for more research.

IOI is a wonderful organization that works not only in but also with the community to bring change in all aspects. Changing the community for the better as well as the volunteers who are exposed to such a different culture and way of life. I worked as a yoga and art teacher in a local school, Jacinto. The teachers and director at Jacinto were very welcoming and would talk to me regularly. The children were terrific always very loving and ready to learn. They made saying goodbye nearly impossible. The experience as a whole was truly incredible and life changing. Anyone would be lucky to have the opportunity to work with IOI.

I worked with IOI Galapagos as Social Media Communication volunteer. I took photos of events and other volunteers.  I produced a video for IOI's youtube and Vimeo channels.  I also wrote descriptions and quizzes for pictures that were used for weekly updates on IOI's Facebook page. I also partook in the flamingo count, mangrove planting, and beach clean up which were projects conducted along side with the Galapagos National Park. I enjoyed taking pictures and film. I believe my specific service project was important because I helped promote IOI Galapagos to the general public through their social media outlets.

Walking into the dog shelter, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It looked like just a house. Once I stepped in for our orientation, I realized that the house was actually where the vets office is eventually going to be and there were eight cages. At the present time they were empty. On our first official day of community service at the dog shelter, I was feeling very excited. There were a couple of dogs at the shelter. One being a very energetic, medium size, brown and black dog. Over the next several weeks, a couple of dogs came and went, but the brown and black dog remained. We found out that her owners didn’t want her back and that she was going to be put up for adoption. Although, when I first met this dog she was insane and all over the place, I got to know her and most of the time when I get her by my side she remained calm and she could even sit. Hopefully someone will adopt her soon. A significant change occurred at the dog shelter after the elections of the major of the island ended. Before the elections happened, the shelter was not fully staffed and did not have anyone that helped us with the dogs. For some reason, after the election, these people came back to work. We noticed that there was a steady increase in the number of dogs in the shelter because more time was spent catching the dogs. In addition, on some days we had people to help us clean the cages, which was a great help when there were at least eight dogs in the shelter. The highest number of dogs at one time was ten and that was quite difficult because there were more mouths to feed and more cages to clean. I quite enjoyed having more dogs in the shelter because it gave us more to do and the dogs were always so happy when we came and played with them for a while. One of the reasons why I really don’t want to leave Isabela is because of the work we are doing at the dog shelter. I am quite sad to leave crazy dog without her being adopted, but I look forward to hearing about when she does get adopted.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra) are an endemic species unique to the Galapagos Islands. It has long been the symbol of Galapagos tourism and more recently conservation efforts. Once abundant throughout the archipelago, these gigantic terrestrial reptiles were decimated by sailors and whalers for their meat during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today, these animals face new challenges such as loss of habitat due to human activities and rampant invasive species which easily destroy tortoise nests or directly predate on the young. Centro de Crianza de las Tortugas Gigantes (Giant Tortoises Breeding Center) in Puerto Villamil, Isabela was established by the Galapagos National Park to breed, raise, and repatriate these charismatic animals to help restore their population size in the wild. Meanwhile, the National Park hopes that interaction with tourists would be a great way to promote conservation. Over 10 weeks of the Spring 2014 UGalapagos semester, I was very fortunate to volunteer at Centro de Crianza as my community service project. Every Wednesday and every other Friday, my partner Kevin Kahover and I fed about 200 adult and sub-juvenile tortoises with a type of juicy plant called otoy (Xanthosoma sagnittifolium). The adults were fed with 25kg of otoy, and the sub-juveniles were given 15kg each time. On Thursdays we cleaned up their waste and fallen poison apples in the pens. Quite often, early morning visitors would be very curious about our job, and Kevin and I would always be willing to answer their questions on what we were doing, why these tortoises needed to be protected, and how Foundación IOI coordinated various community outreach programs to benefit Isabela. The work is highly physically demanding, and on hot, sunny days, sweat would easily soak our shirts within ten minutes. However, I loved the work not only in that it was such an enjoyment watching these giants chewing large chunks of otoy up close and personal (we did not have to stay 2 meters away from these tortoises and sometimes they would approach and surround me if they saw me carrying a bundle of otoy), but also I felt I was accepted as a member of the Isabela community instead of a temporarily visiting tourist. What we did, even little, did help Centro de Crianza operate.

During my time on Isla Isabela, I volunteered at a dog shelter run by the ABG, the Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad para Galápagos. I was inspired to volunteer at this place in particular mostly because of the dichotomy in the treatment of dogs on the islands. Within the first two weeks of my semester on the island, I saw many dogs that were well cared for by loving owners and yet also saw two dogs poisoned with no repercussions. I decided that my volunteer time would best be spent trying to help some of these dogs. My time at this shelter taught me that working with shelter dogs is equal parts heartbreak and satisfaction. It also showed me the determination of a community trying to balance their own needs with the welfare of animals. Since I knew that the dogs that were being captured for the shelter were wandering animals, I knew ahead of time that some of them might be in bad shape. Still, it was both frustrating and depressing to receive a dog who is sweet and friendly yet still shows signs of neglect. One dog in particular stuck out to me, a little tan puppy. When the dog first arrived in the shelter, he had a hank of yellow and red yarn tied around his neck, so he clearly belonged to someone. However, his ribs were clearly visible through his fur, and his stomach was so distended and swollen that he couldn’t really walk. Another dog essentially lives in the dog shelter now, because her owners no longer want her. Cases like this weren’t uncommon, but for every dog that showed up to the shelter malnourished and tick-ridden, two or three showed up that were clean, fed and clearly well loved. Seeing dogs like that was always reassuring, because it showed me that most people on the island do care for their dogs. While I expected that some of the dogs we would be receiving in the shelter would not have been well taken care of, I never expected how much good we could do for those dogs even in the short time that they were in our care. Take the puppy I talked about above, for example. When we first got him at the shelter, all we could do was spray him for ticks, give him some medicine for worms and try to feed him. He was so weak that I honestly thought he wouldn’t live more than a few days. However, after only two days of consistent food and medication it was like we had a whole new dog. The swelling in his stomach went down and his skin was free of parasites. Now, he bounds around after the other dogs when we let him out to play, and he devours every bite of food we put in front of him. The dog shelter isn’t just a holding pen for strays, it can really do good for the dogs that need help. The dog shelter on Isla Isabela is so new that it still has many things to improve on. Finding food for the dogs is sometimes difficult, and veterinary care is essentially nonexistent. But ABG and the people who run the shelter are determined to turn it into a beneficial part of the community.