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Why Volunteer and Travel with ISV?
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"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!"
Kim Beyer, Purdue University, USA
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 ISV's program gives you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteering with an action-packed adventure tour to enable you to give back to the people and environment of your host country then discover its diversity of cultural and natural attractions. 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 15,000 young adults have volunteered with ISV and contributed invaluable volunteer hours to projects in Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, Ecuador, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and the USA.
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 This summer, ISV will reach its 2 millionth hour of volunteer service. ISV's volunteers contribute valuable time and energy to meaningful projects as they reach impoverished people, endangered species and threatened habitats while fostering responsible travel and cultivating cultural awareness around the world.
On ISV's programs you will travel with 25 to 50 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.
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What Makes Volunteering with ISV Special? |
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"The people I met were amazing! I 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."
Jessica Andrews, University of Leeds, UK
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| 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 preparation to in-country support for the duration of your Program. |
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 Our Project Leaders: ISV's dedicated and knowledgeable project staff include ISV Alumni, university lecturers, Masters and/or PhD academics and/or persons with extensive field expertise in conservation and/or community development. ISV's leaders guide 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 leadership, significant field experience in conservation or community development related fields, and relevant academic backgrounds related to these areas. For more information, refer to 'ISV Staff' section of the ISV website.
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 Our Tour Leaders: ISV's Tour Leaders are literally the best on the planet. They make your experience safe, 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 are first aid certified.
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 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 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.
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 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 experience 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.
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 How we choose projects: ISV collaborates with numerous local host organizations and communities 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, the principles of sustainable development, etc. For more information refer to the 'Partners and Host Organizations' section of the ISV website.
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 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 has to offer. ISV wants to show you every natural wonder and cultural highlight through an action-packed itinerary that is fun, safe, sustainable, educational and filled with adrenaline and excitement. Whether you aim to white water raft through primary rainforests, surf the shores of Australia, visit historic temples or ride horses to secluded waterfalls, ISV will show you more than you dreamed of!
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 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.
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 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. Various major universities throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and the New Zealand recognize the rigor of ISV’s academic program and have granted academic credit to participants for their involvement in the ISV program. For more information refer to 'Earn Academic Credit' section of the ISV website.
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ISV is the #1 student volunteer and travel organization because you can: |
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- 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 interesting and relevant group discussions and create your own daily field journal to personalize your learning experiences while ISV staff guide you along the way.
- Ensure 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!
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Benefits of Volunteering: |
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"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."
Shanez Sinnathamby - University of Melbourne, Australia |
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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
- Make a difference in the world and someone's life
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"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."
True Moua - CSUN, USA |
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