Volunteer in Vietnam

It's was an opportunity to exchange cultural ideas with both teachers and students. I didn't realize the impact that I would have on teachers and vice versa. It was amazing how attached I become to so many students and teachers as if it were my school. I will miss everyone there and wish them all success. Thanks to everyone who supports this program, it's an important one!

Through this program, I was able to connect with new people, which greatly expanded my perspective. I truly feel that choosing the Special Needs program in Vietnam was the right decision. This experience is a lifelong treasure. If anyone is hesitating about joining as a volunteer, I would say that now is the chance. Dive into a new world – your view of the world will definitely change for the better.

I had the most amazing experience and it far surpassed all my expectations. I am already thinking about my next volunteering trip. The people I met were a real highlight - I have made lifelong friends from all around the world. The volunteering provided me with an awesome opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, in a safe and rewarding environment with amazing people.

It was such an amazing and eye opening week! I loved every second of it, it was also a bonus that I met so many likeminded people along the way! I can’t wait to do it again

Volunteering abroad and spending time with these children has genuinely been such a fulfilling experience. Having 3,4 and 5 year old children running up to greet you everyday and piling up to hug you goodbye is a joy that's difficult to put into words. The only way I can explain this joy is that I come back everyday with creases in my makeup — but only in my smile lines. Both IVHQ and the Local Team were so helpful before and during my trip, making me feel safe throughout the process. I hope that if you are reading this, you take this as your sign to volunteer abroad one day. I was so scared to book that flight but it's truly a life- changing experience that opens your heart and allows you to see the world in a way you've never seen before.

I feel that I have been able to gain a stronger sense of appreciation and a broader perspective of the world and issues that are universal regardless of the country. Being able to work side by side with people who do this as their daily work felt very inspiring and also truly helped me gain the greatest understanding of the work that I was doing. I think a lot of the volunteering is just showing that you are willing and able to participate and be fully engaged in tasks, actively asking questions and joining in where ever is needed, that is what ultimately made the experience more enriching.
I think its natural to feel a bit hesitant to joining an oversea volunteer program because of the unfamiliarity of it all, but to that, the advice I'd give is that what you will be able to take away will immensely outweigh that nervous feeling. and as a person that is relatively more privileged than those that you will meet during your programs, I think it will really help to ground you and strengthen your character. Don't push away your hesitations but rather embrace them as a sign for a new chapter and experience for your life.