Marine Conservation in Lisbon, Portugal

One of the best experiences of my life. It would be worth while just for the people i met on the way. I really cherish this trip in my heart and the volunteering itself was really interesting. Since i go to Barcelona regularly i definitely will be dropping by the dive club just to hang with the amazing people there.

I had such an amazing time volunteering with Impactrip! I was there only for a time way too short, but I got to know so many people, all the Project Coordinators, the Impact mums and of course all the other volunteers, and at the project site the dive instructors, who were so lovely and it felt like I'd known them for a lot longer than just a week. Beeing able to go diving, to collect trash underwater and still have a lot of time to explore beautiful Lisbon and its surroundings has just been a perfect mix. I came home with so many new memories, new friends and renewed love for the ocean and the environment!

I spent three weeks (was supposed to be two weeks) at the ImpactHouse; at first I did not know what to expect, as I was in a house with around 30 other volunteers from all over the world, but I quickly realized this would be one of my best trips yet. The amazing staff at ImpactHouse, from the cooks to the front desk staff, were welcoming, kind, and all around great people to be surrounded by. It was amazing to see people from all different backgrounds get along so well in the hostel sharing countless meals and stories of each others adventures. This was my first time staying in a hostel, so I do not have anything to really compare it to, but ImpactHouse set the standards very high. I felt like it was more of a community rather than solely an accommodation. The cooking staff were very welcoming and considerate; they took extra time to make sure you had a meal in case you were out in-town or at a volunteer project and the traditional Portuguese cuisine was fantastic! ranging from fresh fish, salads, meats, potatoes, and many other wholesome ingredients. The front desk staff were very accommodating and fun; they would often hangout with the group outside of working hours and always had the best recommendations in terms of restaurants, beaches, and other adventures. They made the hostel truly unified and welcoming to people from all facets of life. I want to thank each and every person at the ImpactHouse for an unforgettable experience, as I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. -Spencer