I have recently volunteered with IVHQ for 2 weeks in Vietnam (teaching project).
I have never collaborated with IVHQ before and this was kind of a trial for me: I wanted to "test" how IVHQ worked, prior to engaging with this organization for a longer volunteering experience, which I am going to undertake later this year.
I can honestly say I am impressed with their work. First of all, the support prior to departure was always timely, organized, and helpful (follow-up of coordinators on my questions, support when changing details of my application, easy-to-understand explanations, support for booking flight etc.).
Once I arrived, I was then communicating with local staff, who were super nice and and friendly too! It is important especially when you arrive in a different country after a long flight, and during the very first days of your stay, and before making any friends, to have someone who makes you feel at home and not alone.
IMPORTANT: I would like to warmly recommend all future volunteers to take "culture week" options during volunteering for sure! I am glad I did, because it provides you with a better understanding of the country you are visiting and moreover, you make better bonds with other volunteers.
As for program itself: it was well organized, I was working together with several other volunteers and a project coordinator Tracy, who was supporting us during the lessons. The teaching project was very rewarding and fun! The coordinator was giving us support, and at the same time we had a flexibility of acting during classes, as per our creativity and lesson-planning.
By the way, one more thing about positiveness of program staff: at one point I got sick and had a sore throat and a high temperature, and the local coordinators were so caring and nice to me: instead of just giving me pharmacy medications, they in addition prepared a homemade drink for my treatment, and used to bring me every few hours to my room together with soup and meals, while I was in bed.
During my time in Vietnam, I have also met many young volunteers who were engaged in various projects (most of them traveling and volunteering solo). In case you are very young and inexperienced, maybe even scared to volunteer alone in an unknown country - don't be discouraged! and be sure that IVHQ staff will support you, because I really felt it on myself and other volunteers too.
