Culture Volunteer Programs

Participating in the Amazon Research Assistant program was everything I hoped it would be. While I met amazing people who were in or creating careers as biologists, my career background is different and my goal was to come and make a positive impact while getting to see sides of the Amazon forest that a random tourist may not see – best part is there is plenty of time on the weekends to see all that a tourist would see too! It also necessary to note that the area always felt quite safe – keeping common sense safety tips in mind and if any issues or troubles arouse the program staff were unbelievably fast to handle it completely – seriously within minutes the issues would be resolved. My only wish is that I was staying longer as the activities cycle and I would have like to repeat some of the activities both to see my own improvements and to get the chance to see some areas again!

I had a wonderful time volunteering with IVHQ in South Korea. I volunteered in a soup kitchen. I met amazing people from around the world and I learned about the amazing country of South Korea and its wonderful people.

My summer in the Dominican Republic was unlike anything I've ever done. It was a true immersion, and even though it is marketed that way, words cannot really relay to what extent it truly is. I lived with locals, like a local, and it was the most difficult thing I've ever done. AMIGOS gives volunteers ample training and briefing, and has very rigid safety guidelines that made me feel safe throughout. However, what made this experience so unique to me was how little my hand was held when it came to figuring out how to be a leader and create a meaningful experience for myself. It is up to you, the volunteer, to do this, and create your own motives and take your own initiative. AMIGOS set me up so well to do this. I've never felt like I've actually "grown" so much from an experience. I sincerely feel my outlook on life has changed—I appreciate smaller moments, and feel more perceptive to my surroundings. I feel humble and happy. But keep in mind the Immerse program model is not for the weak. To have a meaningful experience, you must be able to self-motivate, or at least be willing to learn how to self-motivate, when days can be long and difficult. The ultimate reward for me on this program were the smallest breakthroughs: understanding a conversation well, meeting a new person in the community, picking mangos from trees, or being toured around by children. I'd strongly recommend this program to anyone who wants to be changed.

The Maximo Nivel team was always so generous and supportive during my stay. I experienced some sickness during my stay, but the team helped me out so much and took great care of me! In my volunteering I had so many awesome experiences and much fun 😁

My first time travelling and i couldn´t be happier having chosen to volunteer with IVHQ. They organise so many amazing free activities, and are great with their support. Everyone is so kind and always eager to help.

From meeting a bunch of new people where I got to make a bunch of new friends with people from all over the country to traveling to this amazing place I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. In the trip getting the experience of staying on a small island where we stayed in tents close to the beach was probably one of the coolest things. I think I liked it so much because that isn’t something I would get the opportunity to do if I just travelled by myself or with my family to Fiji. I think this program also did an amazing job of letting us interact with the locals who were some of the most welcoming people I have ever met. From where we stayed and one of our program leaders being a local, to when we were volunteering and the locals would help us practice the Fijian we had learned, and getting to hang out with the local kids and play games with them it was a really cool experience that I was glad I got to have. Back on the mainland we got to meet another group of locals and kids when we did more service in a local community digging out a spot for a compostable toilet and pouring a walking path all to help with sanitation in the area. I would say if you like meeting new people, experiencing a new culture, talking to the locals, amazing views, good food, fun activities, and doing service work this trip checks all of those boxes perfectly!

I volunteered here after visiting the Gaza Camp in Jerash, but given the current situation in Hebron, I had no idea what to expect when I arrived in the city. Any worries were instantly squashed upon arrival. Mr. Muhanned (the project coordinator) met me on the street, showed me around HQ and my accommodation which was very comfortable and had everything you could need. After some rest, I went out to walk the streets of Hebron and had fallen in love with the place within the hour. The kindness and hospitality of the locals was overwhelming. They were beyond friendly, and I had soon been bought dinner, two desserts and even had my grocery shop paid for (these offers were impossible to refuse). I made multiple friends on night one, friends I've continued to see all week. Days here begin with a good breakfast with welcoming smiles. The staff here are incredible, and you instantly feel at home. On the first day we went to a nearby refugee camp, both a heartbreaking and incredibly valuable experience. I spoke with and answered questions to an elderly long-term resident who taught me so much. But given the fact that all the staff here have lived under this occupation their whole lives, they are all a wealth of knowledge and have so many stories to tell. For a curious mind, you will never stop learning. Dalia's Arabic classes (usually at the end of the day) were always a highlight. She is a lovely human and a great teacher. The English classes and cultural exchanges were an incredible experience for me, a great exercise in human connection and skill building (and of course more knowledge gathering). Everybody I met taught me something new, and everybody was so excited to learn about Australia and the cultural differences. This program is a wonderful opportunity for those who want to volunteer in Palestine without putting themselves at risk. I have not felt unsafe a single moment in Hebron while surrounded by the wonderful Palestinian's. In fact, I have never felt safer than I do here with these beautiful people. They consider your safety and comfort their duty to ensure. You will make life-long friends, learn so much and have your heart filled, broken and filled again dozens of times a day. I consider this to be perhaps the greatest experience of my life so far. I love it here, and you will too.

We came as a family of four to Cusco to participate in the Indigenous Communities Umasbamba project and had an amazing time. It was an awesome experience for our kids, who are 15 and 13, to see how other people live out their daily lives. We would recommend this project to anyone.

Spending four weeks volunteering with IPBio in the Brazilian Amazon was one of the most extraordinary and meaningful experiences of my life. I arrived with no scientific background, simply driven by my love of nature, my curiosity, and my desire to experience the Amazon rainforest in an authentic way. I left with so much more than I could ever have imagined. Throughout the program, I participated in a wide range of biodiversity research activities, discovering fascinating aspects of wildlife, insects, plants, fungi, and the incredible ecosystems of the Amazon. Every day brought something new to learn. One of my favorite memories was Fish Monitoring, when we had to get out of our boat and push it through the muddy waters of the Amazon to reach our research sites. It was adventurous, challenging, and absolutely unforgettable! But what surprised me most was how this experience completely changed the way I look at nature. Before coming here, I had never really taken the time to appreciate the smallest details of the natural world. Through scientific observations and photography, I discovered an entire universe hidden right in front of our eyes. I even caught myself finding a tiny spider adorable because it looked like it was wearing a little motorcycle helmet! Something I would never have imagined before. The IPBio team deserves enormous recognition. Imran, Martha, Marleen, and everyone involved were welcoming, passionate, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. Even without a scientific background, I always felt included and encouraged to learn. Their ability to make complex scientific subjects understandable and fascinating is one of the program's greatest strengths. Beyond the scientific experience, these four weeks also gave me something deeply personal. Spending time in the rainforest helped me reconnect with myself, reflect on my life, and realize just how much I belong in nature. I genuinely believe this adventure came at exactly the right moment in my life. Of course, there are a few practical aspects that could be improved, particularly transportation between the volunteer house and Alter do Chão, which sometimes limits spontaneity and independence. I would also have loved more opportunities to spend nights immersed in the rainforest. But these are small considerations compared with everything this experience gave me. I learned, explored, laughed, met wonderful people, and created memories I will carry with me forever. Would I do it again? Without hesitation. Would I recommend IPBio? Absolutely. I came to the Amazon hoping to discover an extraordinary natural environment, and I left having also discovered a part of myself. Thank you, IPBio, from the bottom of my heart!

Once I decided to volunteer, IVHQs website helped me easily arrange the rest. I chose Cambodia as I had been there before and thought this was a good place to start my volunteering journey. As an older single traveller i needed to feel safe about what I was doing. I have the confidence now to go anywhere with IVHQ. All the inclusions, information and arrangements as part of the program all happened as IVHQ said it would.

I enjoyed assistant teaching 3rd graders in Cape Town South Africa, under the IVHQ teaching program. I enjoyed lots of flexibility in helping the students individual ly. I helped with the following subjects: Life Skills, Math in class and weekly lab, English and history. The teacher was awesome and had control of her classroom at all times. I was never bored. The students responded to me with the upmost respect. When it was time for me to leave I receive a number of cards and thanks from the students. The staff was outstanding. They took us to the school and picked us up. They were very organized, professional, polite and always helpful. The food was excellent along with the accommodations. This was my third trip there doing the teaching program. I was never disappointed with anything. I was stretched each trip and I grew a lot. I am retired, 72 and was always treated with the upmost respect by all.

My experience with The Intern Group in London has been a very rewarding and enriching one, both professionally and personally. From the beginning, the team was supportive, approachable, and attentive, making the entire process, from preparation and arrival to settling into London, considerably easier. The internship itself provided me with the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the construction industry, particularly in residential project management. Working alongside professionals at Dobuild Group allowed me to develop a better understanding of construction site operations, project coordination, communication between different trades, and the importance of organisation and planning in delivering a successful project. Beyond the professional experience, living and working in London has been an incredible opportunity to become more independent, meet people from different backgrounds, and experience a new culture. The Intern Group also helped create an environment where connecting with other interns and sharing experiences became an important part of the programme. Overall, I would highly recommend The Intern Group to anyone looking to gain international work experience while developing both professionally and personally. It has been an experience that has broadened my perspective, strengthened my confidence, and given me valuable insights that I will carry forward into my future career.

I came to IPBio hoping to make a positive impact on local biodiversity and the surrounding community, but my expectations were exceeded in every possible way. It truly was a 10/10 experience! The work is easy enough to pick up quickly, but varied and interesting enough that it doesn't become repetitive or boring. Most importantly, you genuinely feel like you are making a difference, which sets it apart from other volunteer programs. Getting the opportunity to see amazing wildlife up close, including sloths, monkeys and caimans, while on the job makes the experience even more special. The volunteer house is lovely as well, especially the pool, and Alter do Chão and Santarém have so much to offer, meaning there is always something to explore during free time and weekends. The beach was my favorite place to be! On top of all that, the other volunteers were incredibly nice, the staff were always helpful, welcoming and supportive and best of all there is a cat. Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better experience and would wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone looking for a meaningful, fun and rewarding time volunteering!

From working with kids in a nursery, to seeing beautiful tours, and spending 2 weeks in the Amazon jungle!.. i've learned so much about my self, and the people of Peru. By far my favorite project was the Panthera sanctuary. Aldo and Cristobal are amazing people who made me embrace ALL... Of the jungle, but i've never felt more energetic and driven. the location is beautiful and rustic, with a scenic view of the river. We were able to help reforest, monitor and document animals, as well as do other activities like play volley ball, go fishing, and night animal monitoring. Oh and dont get me started on how delicous the food was, we got breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Amazing. Im reminicing as i type this. 100% recommend doing this project as well as looking into the other incredible projects Maximo has to offer. You wont regret it!!!

I did the Archaeology and Jungle Conservation programs around Cusco. They were all very well organized and Maximo made it very easy to learn how to get from place to place. I think similar programs would require much longer stays or affiliations with university programs. My feedback to future volunteers is to take whatever amount of bug spray and sunblock you think you need and triple it. If it is the rainy season, bring water proof clothes and boots.

The cultural information shared by host families was amazing. We came to celebrate our 25th anniversary and the archaeology dig was great with a wonderful host family. We will be strongly recommending this program to all our family and friends. We cannot wait to come again. Muy bueno!

I have had great experiences working with IVHQ for four straight years. The representatives are always friendly, professional and easy to work with. They have helped me to not just enjoy my time in other countries, but feel like I've made a valuable contribution. The variety of experiences that they offer and contribute to makes it easy for me to continue working with them year after to eat, and if it wasn't for IVHQ I might not be volunteering year after year like I have been. Looking forward to many more years of working with them.

I had a really good time teaching English to the Ticos here. While I was teaching them English, they were also teaching me Spanish which I loved. I’d love to do it again one day if possible. I think many people should consider this if they want to be immersed in culture, give back, and learn.

My time volunteering in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, was an incredible experience. I spent my time teaching English in a community project. The program is well organised and provides meaningful opportunities to contribute to the local community. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding and impactful experience. The staff at Maximo are also lovely - Anika made me feel welcome from the moment i stepped in. I would recomend to many!

The excellence center is truly an incredible experience. I was unsure when I first signed up, but my doubts were washed away after a week. The center, the people themselves, the community around the center is incredible. I’ve never felt more comfortable in a foreign country than I did here. Rafat has created something special, and if you have the chance to experience it I 100% would. You won’t find anything else like it. And be ready to go with the flow! Any plan you make will probably collapse - so have fun rearranging. - Queen Taylor