Reviews

The phone call I had with one of the African Conservation Experience (ACE) consultants before booking was so helpful in painting a picture of the project and what to expect, and ACE delivered exactly what was promised and more! I love that ACE meets you at the airport. Meeting the team and other volunteers before heading off to the Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience really put me at ease. As soon as we met the guide we would be working with at Vikela, I immediately knew this was going to be a great experience. The vibe within the group was high, and only increased as we listened to old school pop music on our drive into camp! At Vikela, every day was different. We were involved in everything from clearing roads, moving rocks to protect solar water pumps from elephants, and going on incredible bushwalks! What I loved most was that we worked as a team. Everyone mucking in together, not splitting off to do separate tasks. And, you could actually see the impact of your work right in front of you as you were doing it, which made it so rewarding. Aside from the work, the wildlife encounters were unforgettable. On one game drive, we got incredibly near to an elephant - I would estimate around 5 metres away! We also had a close encounter with a small pride of lions after one of our bush braais. We could hear them roaring in the distance, so we jumped into the vehicle and drove out to get a closer look. We got within about 15 to 20 feet of a lion just walking along, completely unbothered by us. Seeing a lion that close in the wild ignites something in you - it was really cool. I learned so much more than I expected and this trip changed my understanding of conservation. I’m currently studying environmental sciences, so I thought I knew what to expect, but this was completely different to learning in a classroom. Our guides would stop during our bush walks to explain everything - even pointing out details as small as a black rhino midden and explaining how they could tell it was from a black rhino by the 25-degree bite angle on the vegetation! I’d think to myself, How do you even know that?! Their wealth of knowledge was incredible! And they approached every question you asked with enthusiasm and clarity. They never made you feel silly for asking anything. The accommodation was also something that exceeded my expectations. I was expecting tents and no hot water (the last volunteer project I joined had no hot water at all), but the team at Vikela has really put effort into making it comfortable. It's not fancy with unnecessary frills, but it's really good quality and has everything you need. The food was excellent too! I'm a vegetarian, and they had something delicious for me every single meal. The social aspect of this project wasn’t something I went into it for, but it was another highlight for me. I have so many inside jokes with my fellow volunteers. It's crazy how fast you get to know people when you spend every day with them. I had to remind myself I'd only been there for three days because Johannesburg already felt like a lifetime ago. Everyone who was there genuinely wanted to be there, and you could tell. There was no one who wasn't pulling their weight or didn't care. This week was one of the most memorable of my life so far. I would definitely do it again - I'm already thinking about coming back in a couple of years with friends!

As a current member of the ABI alumni community, I had such a blast as an ABI participant in 2025. In the span of 1 year, I respectively did two internships: a Magazine Editorial Internship and a Creative Writer Internship. Both taught me so much and allowed me to gain more confidence as an aspiring writer. Additionally, I gained a variety of important lessons and skills through the ABI Academy. These experiences combined have allowed me to grow, evolve, and become a better intern! Thank you, ABI!

Studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I arrived feeling anxious and homesick, not sure how I would adjust to living so far from home. Stepping outside my comfort zone was intimidating at first, but quickly became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. Sevilla pushed me to grow. Navigating a new city, strengthening my Spanish, and adapting to a different pace of life forced me to become more independent and confident. I found community everywhere I went and comfort in my own independence. Beyond the personal growth, I gained a deep appreciation for Spanish culture, from daily life to traditions and community values. The friendships I formed with locals and the perspective I developed reshaped who I was and continue to be. I left Sevilla with the best memories, confidence, and an understanding of how important it is to do things out of my comfort zone. If you are nervous about studying abroad, so was I, but it is so beyond worth it!

Traveling half way around the world to volunteer effort, time and energy on marine conservation takes trust. GoEco delivered, far exceeding any preconceived expectations and hopes we had before arriving on Naifaru. The entire team provided thorough support, training and guidance so that we could participate, contribute and perform to our utmost potential. We left with a tremendous sense of achievement, accomplishment and countless unforgettable memories.

I had an amazing experience in Siri Korea I learnt soo much about Korean culture and had an amazing time exploring Seoul and going tk the Demilitarised Zone. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting an experience internationally.

This trip was an unforgettable experience that thought me the foundation on how to travel solo, while still being supported and accompanied throughout the whole project by the staff of the organization. They were always available to answer my questions and to help me prepare the tours I wanted to do on the weekends. This allowed me to enjoy to the max my trip and visit as much places in Ecuador as I could. They also organized activities with all the volunteers like salsa and bachata classes which was very funny and it is a great way to meet new people! I lived in Monika’s home with her family and I couldn’t have asked for a better host. She was super welcoming and It felt like home immediately. The food was delicious and the rooms were super comfortable. It was truly an amazing experience and i wished i could have stayed longer !

This TEFL course was an exceptional foundation for teaching English. The curriculum expertly balanced essential theory, like lesson planning and grammar instruction—with abundant practical application. The modules on classroom management and student engagement were particularly valuable, offering realistic strategies I used immediately during my teaching practice. The tutor feedback was constructive and detailed, turning assignments into genuine learning opportunities. While demanding, the course’s rigor ensured I finished feeling truly prepared, confident, and certified to step into any classroom worldwide. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a comprehensive, professional, and transformative entry into EFL teaching.

My decision to take a gap year came later in my high school career, and while my time spent at Cow House Studios was one semester, it has encompassed everything I wanted and needed within that decision. The culmination of new material, incredibly expansive resources, and self guided practices truly nurtured my soul as an artist. I felt so safe and my practice was uplifted and encouraged by everyone there. Some of my most treasured memories come from simply talking about what it means to be an artist with friends and especially all of my mentors: Rosie, Frank, Roísín, Dee, Sinead, and even Michael (Rosie's dad) whenever he would pop into the studio! :) This community is so connected, and truly feels like family. The depth of history and transformation the space has gone through is so inspiring, and there is so much care within every inch. The library, my room with my roommate who is now like my sister, and the kitchen having long chats with Dee, all feel like a home that will never leave my heart. Every moment I spent in Teach Muc (the clay studio), the darkroom, my studio, and even writing and reading by the fire, nourished my creativity and absolutely taught me how to take care of myself as an artist, and have patience with my practice. Above all else, the connection with the land and environment I was able to foster changed my life. I learned how to explore and play again, and the long walks I took exploring the fields, creeks, forests, and mountains solitary and with others absolutely reawakened my inner child. Additionally, the visits to other spaces for artists such as the Red Barn Residency, Workhouse Union, and Blackbird Culture Lab enriched my perspective of correlations between regenerative agriculture, environmental activism, and the arts. The interactions with curators and a wide range of exhibitions were eye opening and have absolutely provided me with a network of artists, activists, and community organizers in which I am so grateful to Rosie and Frank for. It was a very big deal and investment for my family to send me to Cow House Studios, and words cannot express the gratitude I feel for my time spent there. To say it was life changing would be an understatement; my connection with that space and all of the other communities I was introduced to feel lifelong. I am also incredibly grateful that Cow House offers several scholarships given that it is a fairly small family run business. (Which is another reason why you should support them!) I believe everyone should get the opportunity to experience the freedom, support, and eye opening experiences my time spent there provided me.

I volunteered with ISF in 2025 and worked on a community center outside of Quilmes. The volunteers and hosts were fantastic, welcoming, and good vibes, and you can tell that building strong relationships is an integral part of the org. I learned some new construction skills and always ended the day happy and accomplished. I don't hesitate to recommend ISF to anyone!

Thanks to Scotia Personnel I got to experience one of the best and most exciting years of my life living in California, USA! Richelle and Marilyn were so attentive and patient, and always available to answer any questions I had. They do such an amazing job making you feel taken care of and ready for whatever awaits you on this adventure. Would highly recommend them to anyone looking into these kind of opportunities!