Representatives from International Student Volunteers held seminars in the SUB on Thursday to recruit students for their volunteer-adventure program.
"Our purpose and mission is to create an environment conducive to combining education, conservation and recreation," ISV American Recruitment Coordinator Sam Yax said. "We believe that volunteers make a difference."
ISV, which is centered in Yorba Linda, Calif., was founded in 1983, Yax said. The program sends students to a variety of places including Australia, Costa Rica, Thailand, South Africa and Eastern Europe for tours two weeks to three months long, Yax said.
He said most students choose a month-long tour. In the first two weeks, volunteers work on social projects like rain forest regeneration, building homes, teaching English and protecting elephants, sea turtles and other endangered species, Yax said. Volunteers spend the following weeks engaging in activities such as white-water rafting, spelunking, rappelling and scuba diving while touring the host country.
The standard tour costs $3,195 for most countries and $200 more for Australia and New Zealand, Yax said.
Senior April Gose spent five weeks on an ISV tour in the Dominican Republic in summer 2007.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
She spent the first weeks studying Spanish and working on construction, children's education and ministry programs for hospitals and the homeless. After that, she traveled the coast while canyoning and horseback riding to an area inaccessible by vehicle.
"You're doing two weeks of work, and it goes by pretty fast, but it's absolutely incredible as far as volunteering and everything like that," Gose said. "As far as the travel part, it's absolutely amazing. You go for two weeks, and you don't have to worry about anything."
She said the best part of the trip was the learning experience in the first two weeks.
"It makes you appreciate how much you have in the U.S. - how much you take for granted," Gose said.
She said her only problem was the "reverse culture shock" she felt upon returning home. Having seen the depths of poverty in the
Dominican Republic, Gose was amazed at the waste and selfishness in America she had not recognized before.
Yax said that while culture shocks can be difficult, they are the crux of the program's education and its strongest reward.
Sophomore Terrah Alcon applied to go on an ISV tour after Yax's presentation. She said she was excited to have the opportunity and would use it to the fullest.
Aside from parasailing and snorkeling, she has her volunteerism planned out.
"I want to help the turtles," Alcon said.
Yax said ISV is not looking for people who just want an exotic vacation - the organization seeks people with two qualities: a desire to learn and a generous mind-set.
"It's a life-changing experience giving to people in need," he said.
