Projects Abroad

I spent one month with Projects Abroad Galapagos, as this was #1 on my bucket list. I am completely happy with my experience here, particularly with our twice a week feeding and caring for Giant Tortoises. We even got an opportunity to return two tortoises to the wild! (This isn't common, and it is also REALLY HARD-- but it is certainly worthy of my life's highlight reel!) You will also count and monitor the health of sea lions twice a week. This is pretty easy, and the sea lions are endlessly fascinating. You will have plenty of opportunity to travel to the other islands (I went to Isabella, Santa Cruz and Espanola). The trips run from $200-500 and it is best to make arrangements through the project for the best price. But you must pay in cash. (There are ATMs available.) The staff is wonderful and the volunteers ranged from high school to retired. They come from all over, not just America (in my case, less than half we're from the USA). The project website is very accurate. And yes, you will get very dirty on tortoise and invasive species removal days. I loved this so much that I have a second Projects Abroad conservation project coming up in less than two months.

I felt very privileged to have been part of this experience. From meeting the local team to the rest of the volunteers it was everything I had hoped for in a trip but so much more. The "over 50" title was a little misleading as 50% of our group were under 50 but that wasn't a problem. I was looking for something where I wouldnt be surrounded solely by gap year students and the other volunteers were professional people with certain life experiences which I found valuable and I hope I have made some life long friends from this trip. It was a wonderfully rewarding and very different trip, the memory of which I will treasure.

From the start to the end, the Project Abroad team has been excellent! Professional, well organized and attention to details esp on the safety and well being of volunteers. As a volunteer, we ourselves must do our part by adapting to conditions out of our comfort zone. After all new experiences is what we are in for.