Mexico

DON’T VOLUNTEER WITH IVHQ! We were taken in by their slick website and lists of testimonials but the truth is these people are only interested in your money. If you have a disruption in your plans or need to cancel for some reason you can kiss your cash good-bye. They informed us 2 weeks before we were scheduled to arrive conditions at the volunteer house where we would be accommodated might be "unhealthy". They told us we could upgrade the accommodation for an additional $220 US. This was AFTER we had paid them the balance of the $550 US they requested we pay them to volunteer for a week. We had previously submitted health information (requested by them) outlining special health requirements so they were well aware of that BEFORE we submitted our balance payment. The condition at the volunteer house forced my friend to cancel. My friend and I wanted to volunteer together. They also knew that. When we both asked for a full refund and they refused stating we were not within their 60 day guideline for cancellation despite the fact they gave us ONLY a 2 week notice of the situation at the house. IVHQ could not justify a reason for withholding a refund (they said it was for “preparation for arrival” which is total BS). To add to that my friend wanted to teach Spanish and they told her she couldn’t volunteer in that role unless she took 2 courses from them at a price of over $400 US. Her parents are from Peru and she speaks fluent Spanish. We have both volunteered around the world and are over qualified for this kind of service. Bottom line is: IVHQ has no interest in your volunteer passion. They are business not a charity and they only want your money.

I like to volunteer with Projects Abroad! It was a really fun experience to volunteer in Cuyutlan, Mexico. I joined the Sea Turtle Conservation program, which aimed to take care of the sea turtles. The most interesting part was to pick up the baby turtle eggs near the sea in the morning. You can see the most beautiful view of the world near by the sea in Cuyutlan. Also, picking up the eggs, seeing the small turtles growing up and putting them back to the sea was meaningful to me. It made me feel that I did help them live. Anyways, it was a special and enjoyable experience to live and take care of the sea turtles and other animals. It was a great volunteer program to join to get close to sea turtles and know more about their behaviors or features.

Visiting Mexico and participating in the medical internship through Projects Abroad was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had! As a high school student, I was able to see and do things I never thought I would be able to. During my stay, not only was I given the opportunity to tour the city of Guadalajara, I was able to work alongside doctors and nurses at local hospitals and observe several patients. In regards to the program itself, Projects Abroad provides the best service; I had a wonderful project coordinator who made sure I was always safe and getting the resources I needed in order to get the most out of this once in a lifetime experience!

My experience as a volunteer in Mexico is something I will never forget. It being my first time traveling alone and not knowing exactly what to expect, I was very nervous, but mostly excited, leading up to my departure. As soon as I landed in Guadalajara and was met by a Projects Abroad staff member I knew everything was going to be fine. All my transportation was very organized and I felt safe the whole time. Once we arrived in Cuyutlán where I would be staying for the next two weeks, I received a tour of the town, camp, and place where I would be volunteering, called El Tortugario. I also met the other staff and volunteers that I would be working with. Over the next two weeks, I got to meet people from all over the world, work with amazing animals, practice my Spanish, and eat some really good authentic Mexican food. I came back home a more independent, open-minded, and compassionate person, and I am forever grateful for the awesome experience I had as a Projects Abroad volunteer in Mexico.

After spending months trying to decide which summer program to participate in, I chose Projects Abroad for the summer of 2017 because I wanted a program that really needed volunteers and would not just have us do busy work. The turtle conservation program in Mexico was the perfect fit!

All of the staff spoke both English and Spanish and were incredibly helpful! We started learning about our work at the Tortugario Ecologico (the nature reserve) as soon as we got there. The activities ranged from washing the adult and baby turtles to cleaning turtle tanks, feeding the iguanas, planting mangroves, completing a bird census, etc. The ther volunteers I was working with were super friendly. The majority of us were from the United States but there were also a few people from places all over the world, including as far away as Norway. We all got along extremely well and I am still in contact with a few of them today.

We spent the next two weeks doing hard but rewarding work with a small weekend trip to a beautiful beach town called Melake. The entire trip was amazing and passed in the blink of an eye. I was genuinely sad to be leaving both the other volunteers and the staff behind and I definitely want to go back next summer!

The central america trail was excellent and i thoroughly enjoyed myself. It all ran smoothly and there were no problems. The camp in Costa rica was also run incredibly well, and the store, showers, running water and toilet were all pleasant surprises.

The project was a new experience. A lot of hard work but I think it's something that builds character. I'm hapy I did it, I feel a lot more world wise. After this I can do anything and eat anything! Thanks you Chloe for all the hard work you put in to the trail.

This winter, I had the privilege of spending two weeks volunteering through Projects Abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico. As a student pursuing a career in medicine, I knew I wanted to do medically-related volunteer work abroad. After looking at what felt like hundreds of different programs, I decided to go with Projects Abroad. As my first solo international trip, I was a little nervous about accommodations and safety. The Projects Abroad staff were incredibly helpful and kind, and eased any worries my parents and I had.

Once I arrived in Mexico, a Projects Abroad staff member met me at the airport and took me directly to my host-family's house. The second I walked in the door, I felt like I was home. The next day, a staff member showed me around my work site (one of the hospitals in the city) and introduced me to the workers in the hospital. Then I was shown how to use the bus system and how to get to the city center, along with some of the popular sights of the city.

In the hospital, I shadowed the medical interns and doctors in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. Though I had originally intended to work in Pediatrics, I found a new love in "Gine". Through general care and surgery, my eyes were opened to just how different healthcare is abroad.

Volunteering with Projects Abroad was an amazing opportunity and one that I will never forget!

I had never been out of the country before going to Oaxaca, Mexico this winter. I can easily say now that it was the best adventure of my life. The food was great, the culture was different and exciting, the city was beautiful, and the classwork was actually interesting. I made some fantastic friends and I can't wait for my next adventure with Sol!