Biological Research Volunteering in South Africa

Throughout my placement in Croatia, IVHQ provided me with the relevant help and support needed to make my stay as stress free as possible. I would highly recommend this company and encourage anyone contemplating a placement.

My internship at the Salesian Institute Youth Projects pushed me far beyond what I expected, taking me from supporting program logistics to independently running counseling sessions and managing my own client caseload within just a few months. I was trusted with real responsibility early on, from leading a group of 45 adult learners on my own to adapting a therapeutic intervention on short notice for an urgent client referral, and that trust taught me more about clinical work and resilience than I could have learned in a classroom. This experience confirmed that clinical psychology, particularly cross-cultural and community-based care, is exactly the path I want to pursue.

Connect-123 made my experience in Ireland truly incredible. From the beginning, they did an amazing job matching me with a company that fit my personality, interests, and career goals. I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience. They also did a great job planning weekend trips around Ireland, giving me the opportunity to explore different parts of the country and make unforgettable memories along the way. Overall, Connect-123 made my time in Ireland an amazing experience both professionally and personally.

I was, probably like some of you, a bit sceptical when initially applying due to the low price compared to other organisations. However, the experience I had was absolutely amazing and I have learnt so much about not only myself, but about different cultures and etiquettes. My program manager, Marissa, was absolutely fantastic at answer all of my questions and adjusting any mistakes I submitted onto my application such as flight number and pick-up time. Despite the huge time difference between Marissa and myself, she was able to reply to my email promptly and with extreme care - I was really at ease throughout the whole process and that made the experience a bunch better. Everything on my volunteering was as described on the program guide and there were no surprises when I landed, everything that happened during my week I was prepared for. I would really recommend this company and I want to thank them once more for the fantastic and truly life-changing experience they provided for me.

I had such a wonderful experience in Split! I met so many amazing people from different countries and made memories that I will definitely never forget. The Youth Support program gave me the opportunity to connect with the local community, experience a different culture and grow personally at the same time. The local team was very welcoming and supportive and I always felt comfortable asking questions or getting help when needed. I especially loved the international atmosphere and meeting people with completely different backgrounds and stories.besides volunteering, I had enough time to explore Split, enjoy the beautiful beaches and nature and experience Croatian culture. This experience helped me step outside my comfort zone, become more independent and see things from new perspectives. I’m really grateful for all the people I met and everything I experienced during my time here. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel, volunteer, meet new people and create unforgettable memories abroad. ❤️

The support and organization of IVHQ was strong and great. Traveling and volunteering with a family of five, with 3 Jr High School kids but was amazing. Very comfortable and things were laid out well, we all felt extremely safe and comfortable the entire experience.

My internship has been the best experience I could have ever asked for. My co-workers are what made my time there so memorable. Connect-123 made the entire process smooth and easy, especially Antonella and Xena. They were both so kind, supportive, and helpful every step of the way. I’m so grateful I got to meet my program group, it was truly an amazing experience!

The preparation before trip was so detailed that I don’t have anything to worry about. It got everything listed and made it so much easier to tick off what I’ve done and what they need. The communication with the manager for the volunteer was so smooth and fast, and I was able to get a reply current evening or next morning (due to different timing in different countries). I wanted to change my volunteer from rural teaching to turtle reservation, it was so fast that there wasn’t any problems with the money nor arrangements, everything just went so smoothly, really impressed. The local team there really helped a lot, the driver, the leader, everyone was just so nice, even the cook and the receptionist. This volunteer as itself also helped me a lot on raising awareness for the sea turtles, learnt a lot and really hope to help them consistently. This is such a memorable trip and I hope to do these volunteers with IVHQ next summer with my friends.

Coming to Barcelona with Connect 123 was one of the best decisions I've made. They were incredibly helpful in helping find me an internship I felt comfortable and confident in and always very communicative. The housing they provided was amazing, and in a great location. Barcelona is now one of my favorite cities

As my time in Ireland comes to a close, I want to thank Connect-123 for partnering with Bucknell University to provide students like me with an opportunity like this. As an undergraduate, it can often feel stressful trying to gain relevant work experience while preparing for your future career. Thanks to Connect-123, I was placed with a company in a field aligned with my career goals, allowing me to grow professionally while exploring a new part of the world. This experience has given me valuable workplace experience, unforgettable memories, and a greater appreciation for living and working abroad. Thank you for making it possible!

This experience has been nothing short of incredible. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. My internship could not have been a more perfect match. I have gained not only new skills but also a new perspective as well. Outside of the internship, exploring this beautiful city has been so fun. Carla, the program coordinator, is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. She planned the most fun activities for our group and was truly invested in our well-being!

Following this program was a unique experience that I will never forget. I thought it gave a great balance of working at my internship, meeting new people, and exploring the new country. The opportunities each weekend gave great insights and experiences to explore outside of where we were staying and i highly recommend going to each one.

My Jamaica experience was great because it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, connect with new people, and make meaningful memories while serving others. I loved being able to learn about the culture, build relationships with the local community, and see the impact that small acts of kindness can have. The experience challenged me to grow in my faith, gratitude, and appreciation for the opportunities I have. It was rewarding to work alongside others who shared the same passion for helping people and creating a positive difference. IVHQ does a great job of creating opportunities for volunteers to make a meaningful impact while also providing support and guidance throughout the experience. They help connect volunteers with local communities, organize programs, and make it possible for people to serve in a way that is safe and structured. I appreciated how they allowed us to experience the culture of Jamaica while still focusing on helping the community. Their organization made the trip feel purposeful and helped create an environment where volunteers could learn, serve, and grow.

My experience with IVHQ absolutely exceeded my expectations and was so amazing, the staff were so friendly and really created a positive and welcoming environment, i felt safe and included by all the other volunteers, my only regret is not staying longer! I will definitely be back in the future!

My time with African Conservation Experience (ACE) has been an amazing three-week journey, spent alongside a very welcoming and highly skilled team who were always eager to share their knowledge of wildlife, conservation, and their beautiful country. Words are hard to find to describe such a unique experience. During my time at the Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience, I learned so much about wildlife veterinary medicine in the field. I also discovered what conservation truly means and involves. Some of the most thrilling moments were spent deep in the bush, taking part in wildlife captures and interventions. I will never forget the adrenaline of tracking and managing different species, from sables and kudus to rhinos and agile impalas, often working in tandem with a helicopter to herd and dart them across challenging terrain safely. The adventure didn't stop in the field. The weekends offered an incredible escape into some of the most magnificent, timeless landscapes I have ever seen. Spending time amongst the breathtaking, mystical cliffs of the Leshiba Wilderness and exploring the vast, untamed expanses of the Kruger National Park were absolute highlights that left me in complete awe of South Africa's natural beauty. I came home with new perspectives, valuable skills, and beautiful memories to last a lifetime. I am so grateful to the Shimongwe team and ACE for this unforgettable adventure, one that has been deeply enriching on both a professional and personal level. I already miss it, and I truly hope I will be able to go back soon!

Volunteering at the Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience was easily one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I arrived, the team made me feel welcome and supported, and I was well looked after throughout the entire program. Everything ran smoothly, from airport transfers to daily activities, which made it easy to settle in and fully enjoy the conservation experience. The project is extremely well organised, and it’s clear that volunteer safety and wellbeing are a genuine priority for the team. The experience itself offered far more than just wildlife encounters, although those were certainly incredible. It provided meaningful, hands-on involvement in conservation work, opportunities to learn from knowledgeable and passionate staff, and exposure to experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere. Every day offered something different and unique. Some of the activities can be physically demanding at times, for example we helped the project with some bush clearing, and the days often begin early in the morning. However, the environment is highly supportive and the experience is immensely rewarding. If you come with an open mind and a willingness to get involved, you’ll get so much out of the experience. My only regret is that I only stayed for one week, I could easily have stayed longer. I left with a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation, as well as memories and friendships to last a lifetime. I would highly recommend the Vikela Kruger project to anyone looking for a unique, meaningful, and genuinely worthwhile volunteer experience.

Overall I had an amazing experience with Ivhq. I volunteered in Cape Town South Africa and I have never been so in love with a place. The culture and the people are truly amazing. I volunteered in a town ship with grade three and loved every minute of it! The kids are so kind and you can tell they truly love the help you have to offer. This experience will forever have such a big impact on me and changed me as a person. I would definitely recommend this to anyone:)

The drive to Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience set the tone for everything that followed. Winding through the mountains, taking in that landscape, it was stunning! It was the kind of arrival that tells you straight away you're somewhere special. At the project, the tracking was something I'll never forget. Our guide at the project was a master tracker and expert in bushcraft. They were so patient and generous with their knowledge. They really were a brilliant teacher! Having the opportunity to follow fresh rhino footprints through the bush was stunning. At times, I genuinely couldn't see what they were seeing at first. It was incredible to see how they worked. They could tell you that a rhino has passed through just by pointing out the broken twigs on the tree! The moment the tracker got excited about something, everyone around them got excited too. That passion is contagious. By the end, I was starting to understand the landscape in a completely different way, not just looking at it, but reading it. When at the project, we also got to enjoy the excursions. Visiting Moholoholo, a fantastic Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, and then also the Blyde River Canyon, where we got to see hippos and crocodiles. The landscape there is so special, no photograph does it justice. One of the most valuable things I took away from the experience was a conversation about ethics in wildlife tourism with the African Conservation Experience (ACE) team when I arrived at the airport. It was refreshing and honest, the kind of conversation you don't often have. It really gave me a great perspective right before joining the project, as it was so fascinating to hear about the scale of unethical volunteering across Southern Africa. It made me very grateful to have chosen ACE, as from everything I witnessed, it was clear to see their ethical approach towards conservation volunteering. Just learning about how many people think they're helping when, in reality, they are in fact causing harm is eye-opening. I had never really considered how so many wildlife areas are artificially managed for tourist purposes, created so that sightings of iconic species can be pretty much guaranteed. Whereas ACE only works in large intact ecosystems and reserves that still have a conservation value due to their size, as they can maintain healthy wildlife populations! This made me appreciate the real value of volunteering within large, open ecosystems where nature has the space to act naturally. For some people, sightings are very important, but one idea that stuck with me was that not seeing an animal is never a failure; the tracks in the ground are real, the animal was there. That is enough. Being in that environment, present and aware of everything around you, is extraordinary in itself. If you get to see that animal, that is a wonderful bonus! Looking back, before the trip, I was a little nervous about travelling alone and whether I'd find my people. That worry didn't last long. The booking process was seamless, and from the moment I arrived, everything felt taken care of. Thank you very much to the ACE team for making this trip possible!

I have already done 3 programs with IVHQ, and this is just the beginning! Costa Rica to teach English, Fiji for childcare, and Thailand to teach. Each program has been magical! The experience is supported, from the application process through post program reflection, and everything in between. Safety, support, encouragement, insight, and perspective are all the things IVHQ provides and more! You get to meet people from around the world, and then come together for a common purpose. Already planning my next adventure, and I can't wait!

I havnt got any complaints from my trip through IVHQ. Every single part of the trip was perfect from the organisation to the welcoming coordinators. I’m only 17 but I felt so safe and supported through the whole process. Thank you for this opportunity!