GIVE Volunteers Reviews 

What made this experience so great wasn't just the cool things we got to do or see but the connections and impact we were able to make. As someone who had never been outside the United States, I had many preconceived assumptions and fears about where I was going would be like. However, as each day went by throughout the trip, I got more and more comfortable about where I was, grateful for everything I had, and above all, excited about the fact that all of my fears and worries couldn't have been farther from the truth. Every Single Person throughout the trip was kind, compassionate, helpful, and thankful for us being there, despite any language barriers there might have been. Throughout the trip, we were able to make positive changes in both ourselves and the communities we were in. From helping the community's environment, children, and families to even helping its infrastructure, we were able to make a difference for good. Additionally, getting to see life from such a drastically different perspective truly was life-changing in the best way. No matter how long your trip is, it will feel like a lifetime, it will change you and those around you for the better, and it will be worth every penny...

The guides were fantastic and the work was insanely rewarding, I’ve come off this trip with lifetimes of memory and experiences.

This was a life changing trip for me. As someone who was scared to step outside there comfort zone this trip gave me the opportunity to do so while still being guided. I learned so much about elephants, the culture, and everything else.

The Thailand Elephant Experience was such a perfect trip. Right when i landed i was met by the local guides at the airport. The 3 main guides were amazing, wonderful, kind, helpful and organized. Right from day 1 they made sure we had the most perfect experience. Being up close with the elephants was truly a once in a life time experience. All of our meals were delicious and filling. The friends and connections i made throughout the week will stay with me forever. The hike through the jungle was truly a special experience, seeing the elephants in the wild, fresh fruit growing on the trees and views were spectacular. Getting to visit the local communities and learn from the residents about the Thai way of life was such a heart warming experience. If your on the fence about doing this trip, i will tell you, go ahead and book it!! You will truly love it and make wonderful connections! I have zero regrets after doing this!

This was the most life changing experience. Thank you to my guides Sloane, CJ, and Josh, they are the best. This is something that you must experience to understand. I love GIVE’s mission and it has made me a better person.

I spent a month in Thailand and Laos and it was easily the best thing I've ever done/experienced in my life. All of the guides (both local and international) are some of the best, most welcoming, accepting, and inspiring people I have ever met. I was surrounded by joy and love every single day. The children we got to teach were full of life and so eager to experience the world, just as I am. Whether it was permaculture in Thailand or road construction in Laos, I was pushed and highly rewarded seeing the progress we made. It meant so much to see an immediate impact and know how much longer it will continue to benefit these communities. Each village and destination we went to was unbelievably beautiful and contained even more beautiful people. I felt welcomed, wanted, accepted, and a part of something so much greater. I cannot recommend a GIVE trip enough. Take the leap, it will be more worth it than you could ever predict.

I had such an amazing experience with Give volunteers. I had my first Give trip this past spring break from March 14th through the 21st in Costa Rica. The trip was amazing and I had such a beautiful experience with everything my group and I got to do and everyone worked so well together. My guides were amazing! I loved working in the garden and helping kids with their English, going to a local restaurant and cabins called Kaniki to speak Spanish with this wonderful lady named Rita (I got to pet the cat and big, sweet dog too), and the food was delicious not to mention really fresh and healthy. By the end of the trip, our group had cried together a number of times, and we are like family now. We will totally be seeing one another in the near future, just a matter of when. I cried tears of joy on the plane home as the memories from the trip played through my mind. I felt like I made a difference, and that feeling has carried over into my motivations to make a difference back home :)

This trip was amazing! Genuinely life changing for me, and many of my friends agree. I learned so much about the culture of the area, the salmon habitats we worked near, and how I can live a more sustainable and educated life style. Thank you GIVE!!!

The GIVE Elephant Experience was truly the greatest experience I have ever had! This trip was a long time coming for me and from the moment I booked it, GIVE was extremely helpful, thorough and always reassuring. When I arrived in Thailand I was greeted with amazing energy from P'Dee and felt welcome immediately. P'Ann and P'phon also always met you with a smile and open arms and I couldn't speak more highly of them! Cassidy, our 4th guide, was the kindest person you'll ever meet. She was so helpful throughout the trip and an amazing person to talk to. The guides were all so comforting and they made us laugh and smile each and everyday. My absolute favorite part of the trip was how hands on we got to be at the Elephant Freedom Village, it was life changing to experience feeding and bathing adult and baby elephants. Another favorite part of mine was the down time we had and the car rides where we got to interact and learn so much about al the other people in our group. I met so many different people and made some real friends for life. I loved that every person we met in Thailand had so much passion for their country, the elephants and life in general. The trip was so organized from start to finish and we were given a very thorough itinerary each day to follow so you knew exactly what to wear, what we were doing and exact times. I could go on and on with how amazing this trip was for me, I wish I could stay in Thailand forever! So thank you so much GIVE for giving me this opportunity, I hope to join another group in the future!

Honestly the best 2 weeks of my life. I had a blast and have made many memories on this trip I will never forget. First of all, the guides were awesome and amazing people. Very friendly, easy to to talk to, and always checking up on you and making sure you are having fun. The group I was with were also amazing and always had excellent energy throughout the whole trip. Everyone was willing to connect, share stories, play games, and let their authenticity show. I really loved the way the trip was organized and scheduled. We knew what time to wake up, go to sleep, when we were going to do our activities, etc. It was very educational and I learned a lot about the people, the culture, the environment, and the problems the country faces. I loved the diversity in activities and how we actually connected and exchanged cultural ideas with locals in rural communities that you don’t usually get to see. Overall, a 10/10. Would totally go on another trip in the future!

My overall experience was excellent! I really felt like a family in the community through our various community service activities such as painting houses, releasing baby sea turtles, teaching English to the local kids, and participating in beach clean ups. I really enjoyed feeling welcomed into the country by the locals and not simply feeling as a disconnected tourist. Nicaragua is a beautiful country and I am so glad GIVE allowed me the opportunity to experience it in the way I did and really feel connected with the locals. If I were to have traveled on my own to Nicaragua, it wouldn't have been the same. All of the transportation (aside from flights) was taken care of by the organization which made the trip stress free! We went from a small fishing town Jiquilillo, to the City of Leon to Volcan Telica, to Cerro Negro, to Laguna de Apoyo, and ended it in Managua before we went home. I recommend traveling with give at least once in your life to truly experience the culture to where you're traveling to.

Every day was packed full of fun and educational activities! The guides did absolutely everything to make the trip go smoothly and to ensure you were enjoying the trip to the fullest. Overall the trip was organized extremely well and I felt prepared everyday for the events that lied ahead. This trip truly gives you an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things.

GIVE was a great experience. I went on a trip with them to Tanzania mainland, and it'll truly be something I'll never forget. It was an honor to talk with the local tribes, seeing a new way of life. It was such an opportunity to help plant mangroves and cook with the locals and learn about their culture. I highly recommend booking a trip to Tanzania to change your perspective on life.

Life-changing experience. If you’re having doubts, sign up. I got back from the Costa Rica trip a week ago, and I still can’t stop thinking about the deep human connection, memories, and sustainable impact I left on another country. We got the chance to swim in natural pools, go ziplining beside a volcano, witness sloths and spider monkeys in cloud forests, go whitewater rafting in class III and IV rapids, and so much more. Even more valuable was the volunteer work we were able to do. We stayed for four days at Finca las Hormigas, a permaculture farm dedicated to regenerative soil practices and ecosystem balance. From learning about the three components of healthy soil and crossing tree bridges to pick lemons, to sifting and shoveling compost, every action had a goal in mind: to use that soil to cultivate the fruit trees of Gandoca School, a local elementary school, and to teach the elementary schoolers about regenerative agricultural practices. First time in my life that I was able to combine my love of travel with being a part of a sustainable global revolution! Loved it so much!! This will be one of your core memories so just do it. Sign up, take the trip, and be inspired by like-minded individuals who have a goal to be the roots of change!

GIVE 🌳
I don’t think I could ever fully express how grateful I am. My recent volunteer trip to Costa Rica opened my eyes to an incredible amount of compassion, resilience, and gratitude for everything I am blessed with in my everyday life. This experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and challenged me in ways I never expected. Throughout this journey, I learned that I am capable of stepping outside my comfort zone and enduring difficult moments—whether it was not being able to contact home every day or rewearing cold, wet socks. While these challenges seemed small at first, they taught me patience, adaptability, and appreciation for the present moment. One of the most impactful lessons I learned was about permaculture and sustainability, particularly how much of Costa Rica’s soil has been severely depleted. Years of harsh chemical use—especially fertilizers and pesticides used in large-scale banana and plantain farming—have stripped the soil of its natural nutrients. Seeing this firsthand helped me understand how deeply these practices affect not only the land, but also the people, wildlife, and communities that depend on it. Learning sustainable farming methods showed me how healing the land is possible through intentional care and respect for nature. Most importantly, this experience reshaped my understanding of what it means to be rich. Wealth is not measured by money or material possessions, but by happiness, connection, and community. I learned that children do not need social media, name-brand items, or material things to feel fulfilled. True happiness comes from being surrounded by a loving family, a supportive community, and a strong connection to the earth. Planting a fruit tree, allowing it to grow naturally, and nurturing it over time is its own form of wealth. This experience has left a lasting impact on my heart, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life.

Oh my goodness!! I can't say enough good things about my experience in Thailand with GIVE!! It was my first time traveling internationally, and GIVE made it so easy! My guides were the kindest people, and everyone we met along the way was so welcoming and passionate about their culture, especially with the elephants. Traveling with GIVE allowed me to educate myself, have fun, and give back to the community, and it was worth every penny! I can't wait for my next trip!

i absolutely LOVED my time on this trip! the experiences and people i met were unbelievable. make sure to pack enough culturally appropriate clothing though! i ran out during the trip ◡̈ cant recommend this program enough!!

After my third trip with GIVE, I am still baffled by how amazing every trip is. Travelers with GIVE are pushed directly into the culture of wherever they are, making it a truly immersive experience. GIVE trips push you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible, and provide incredible excursions and experiences that support the local community.

My trip to Cuba with Give Volunteers was an unforgettable experience that exceeded all of my expectations. From start to finish, the guides were knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely passionate about sharing Cuban culture, history, and nature with us. They went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt safe, included, and engaged, and their enthusiasm truly made the trip special. Some of the standout moments in this trip were snorkeling in the Bay of Pigs, hiking at Parque Guanayara, and visiting a tobacco farm to learn how to roll cigars. What truly made this trip exceptional was being able to explore a new country with like-minded individuals who felt like family by the end of the trip. I would highly recommend Give Volunteers to anyone looking for an immersive, well-organized, and meaningful travel experience. This trip to Cuba is something I will carry with me forever.

Learned about GIVE at an unmanned table with flyers at my school's involvement fair. I was already planning to travel so I just decided to travel with GIVE to Tanzania. I learned in my peace and social justice class that GIVE falls into the voluntourism category and I didn't know what I was going to be doing with GIVE until a week or two before I actually went on the trip. Information was a bit difficult for me to find and often felt vague. Information was easier the closer it got to the trip. It was my first time traveling solo outside the country and I really enjoyed my time with GIVE and learned a lot about the local area we were at and saw many amazing things. When the times right, I'll be going on another trip with GIVE.