Without a doubt I would encourage anyone to go on a GVI expedition! I just returned from an amazing 5 weeks in the Seychelles and am hoping to take part in another expedition at some point in the future.
I found the whole experience well organised, personal and smooth from general enquiry to returning to the UK. I found the staff to be really friendly and helpful, and were always happy to answer any questions I had, no matter how trivial! My emails were replied to quickly which was reassuring and after applying (which I did about 8 months before I actually left) I had regular email contact to provide more specific information and answer questions.
When I arrived in the Seychelles I was met at the airport and taken to the base, which was about 30 seconds walk away from a beautiful bay where we went diving each day. The staff on base were brilliant - most of them having been volunteers in the past, then interns before becoming staff and so had a vast amount of knowledge of the area and base, and knew the answer to almost every question or problem which could arise!
The expedition wrote a weekly blog which was uploaded onto the website which was great for family and friends to keep updated with what we were doing.
Overall I think every £ spent was worth it. I came back an Advanced, Rescue, Coral Reef Research Diver with some lifelong friends and unforgetable memories.
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I wouldn't recommend GVI to anyone. I ended up leaving the expedition in Costa Rica after 3 weeks because I was so disappointed with the experience. It wasn't at all like how it was described on the website; the training was brutal, there was no english teaching or environmental programs for the community, the base was crappy, the equipment was falling apart, and the activities that they promised like white water rafting and the canopy tour were suddenly not part of the expedition when we arrived there. They also make you pay for anything they can when you're on base...like t shirts.
When they say that 79% of the money goes into the field, they really mean that it goes to Head Office and the field is neglected. The 24 hour emergency support was terrible and I'm still trying to get in touch with them to get a refund, even though I left a month and a half ago. My emails and phone calls to GVI to talk about my experience are basically being ignored.
There are plenty of people who need your help abroad! - look for them at hostels and in communities when you are travelling! Dont make the same mistake I did! Go with the little guys who need you and avoid GVI's corporate money making ideology.
Join this expedition if you want to throw your money away and get screwed.
p.s., no refunds under any circumstances...apparently its in the fine print.
Comments
- By: ElGringo
- Age:
- Posted: Feb 1, 2012