Be a part of Something Big!

ISV’s program gives you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteer work with an action-packed adventure tour to enable you to experience everything your host country has to offer. With ISV, you become part of the community, get to know the local people and become much more than a tourist; you travel with a purpose and literally change your life and the lives of those you help through your efforts.

Since 2002, over 13,000  young adults have volunteered with ISV and have helped contribute invaluable volunteer hours to projects in Australia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, Ecuador, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and the USA.

On ISV’s programs you will travel with 25 to 60 other like minded young adults from all over the globe so you will be able to make new friends while sharing your adventure and cultural experience.

During the summer of 2008, ISV surpassed our one millionth hour of volunteer work to reach impoverished people, endangered species, foster responsible travel and cultivate cultural awareness around the world.

Mission statement

International Student Volunteers, Inc.

Create a volunteer environment conducive to combining conservation, education, community development and recreation into the most incredible experience of a lifetime, while giving back to the local communities in the countries where we travel.

What Makes Volunteering with ISV Special?

The ISV program is a unique opportunity for anyone wanting to travel and experience the world. ISV takes care of your experience at every level from pre-departure orientation to in-country support for the duration of your program.

1. Our Project Leaders: ISV’s dedicated and knowledgeable project staff includes ISV Alumni, university lecturers, Masters and/or PhD academics and/or persons with extensive field expertise in conservation and/or community development. Leaders work with ISV guiding participants from all over the world on our unique programs. Each project leader is first aid certified, carefully selected and thoroughly trained by ISV. Note: We specifically look to hire individuals who demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience in outdoor activities, guide experience, related leadership and language experience, relevant conservation/community development knowledge, etc.
   
   
2. Our Tour Leaders: ISV’s Tour Leaders are literally the best on the planet. They make your experience fun, educational and inspirational. Each tour leader is extensively trained by ISV and takes an interest in every participant to ensure you have the best time and learn a lot about your host country! Your Tour Staff are experienced in leading groups and outdoor education/recreation and of course first aid certified.
   
   
3. Our Tour Leaders in Training: Each year, ISV hires one past participant from each destination country as a Tour Leader in Training (TLIT) to return to the country where they completed their ISV program. The purpose of this is to provide another outstanding learning and travel experience for our alumni to help them to gain valuable skills and training in a professional setting. If you have not completed an ISV Program, you are not eligible to apply for this position.
   
   
4. Safety First! In the event of an emergency, ISV has in-country staff and ISV offices ready to assist 24 hours a day. Every volunteer project, adventure tour activity and location undergoes formal safety assessment, site-inspection and examination by our dedicated in-country staff. Each site and activity must meet ISV’s strict safety standards. All program staff are first aid certified and trained to deal with any safety concern.
   
   
5. How we choose projects: ISV collaborates with numerous local host organizations around the world to work on meaningful projects that make a difference in their communities and natural environment. ISV volunteer projects are of the highest quality and are carefully chosen to ensure you have the best experience possible. ISV chooses its projects based on several factors, which include, but are not limited to: project goals and needs of the host organization; safe and meaningful projects, sustainable initiatives, etc.
   
   
6. Tour locations and activities: The ISV adventure tour will allow you to do more in two weeks than most people would dream about doing in a lifetime! Each tour activity is chosen to allow to you see the best your host country can offer. ISV wants to show you every natural wonder and cultural highlight through an action-packed itinerary that is fun, safe, eco-friendly, educational and filled with adrenaline and excitement. Whether you aim to white water raft through World Heritage rainforests, surf the shores of Australia, visit historic temples or ride horses to secluded waterfalls, ISV will show you more than you dreamed of!
   
   
7. In-country support: Each ISV host country has its own office of dedicated staff to oversee your experience with 24-hour support for all participants.
   
   
8. Educational emphasis: ISV has a strong educational focus throughout the entire program in which every participant keeps a journal to enhance their learning experience while focused group discussions with host organizations and project leaders allow you to understand various issues that face your host country. If you chose, you can earn academic credit for your participation during your ISV program. Various major universities throughout the USA, UK, Australia and the global community recognize the rigor of ISV’s academic program.

ISV is the #1 student volunteer and travel organization because you can:

• Do things you never thought possible in a safe and fun environment.
  
  
• Travel with a purpose: know all ISV projects are carefully selected, meaningful and fulfill specific needs within each community and environment.
  
  
• Be a responsible tourist: Combine volunteering with adventure travel.
  
  
• Learn as you go: ISV’s staff facilitates your learning experience so you walk away with greater knowledge and understanding of the impacts in your volunteer work and host country.
  
  
• Enjoy your experience with professional and highly trained ISV staff.
  
  
• Participate in fun group discussions and create your own daily field journal to personalize your learning experiences while ISV staff guide and educate you along the way.
  
  
• Have continuous program assessment: Evaluation and consumer satisfaction rate 9.85 out of 10 (based on student evaluation).
  
  
• Assure program fees not only cover expenses needed to achieve project goals for host organizations, but also allow you to see as much of your host country as possible by including ISV’s amazing adventure tour.
  
  
• Assure quality support from all in-country ISV’s offices: Pre-departure, in-country orientation, documentation, travel manuals, contact information and adventure travel components are organized before and throughout your trip.
  
  
• Add this experience to your resume as ISV is recognized by many universities and host organizations across the globe.
  
  
• Have a life changing experience during your summer holiday: Be a part of a worldwide effort to make a difference with students from all over the world!

Benefits of Volunteering

There are various benefits to gain through your volunteer experience:

• Increase self-esteem and confidence;
• Contribute to protecting the world’s natural resources;
• Develop teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Add work experience to your resume;
• Develop greater cultural, community and environmental awareness;
• Expand life experiences;
• Develop a sense of responsibility;
• Experience firsthand community involvement;
• Make friends and have fun;
• Provide a greater understanding of others; and
• Make a difference in the world and someone’s life.

Student Testimonies:

Candice Leung - University of Toronto, Canada: It was the most amazing few weeks I've ever experienced. It totally exceeded any expectations I had. I fell in love with the kids and the people here and feel lucky to have been able to make a difference in the community. All of the activities and places we travelled to were incredible. [Dominican Republic]

Kim Beyer - Purdue University, USA: Thanks for the amazing experience. I learned so much and experienced so many firsts. I was able to do more in one month than most will experience in a lifetime! [New Zealand]

Shanez Sinnathamby - University of Melbourne, Australia: You gain an experience in living that you couldn't possibly learn about from any book. The experience changes who you are and who you want to be. [Costa Rica]

Jessica Andrews – University of Leeds, UK: The people I met were amazing! Formed so many great friendships and formed memories that I will never forget. I had an amazing time; this really does change your life. You meet so many great people and see things you've never seen before. It will definitely take you out of your shell and expose you to another way of life. I loved it so much I don't want to go home. [Australia]

True Moua - CSUN, USA: I did things that I would have never done had I not been on this trip. I loved everything that we did here. Those who don't know how the outside world lives should experience Thailand. I recommend this trip to everyone. Thailand is all that I expected and SO much more. [Thailand]