Community Building - Combine Volunteering and Adventure Tours in Eastern Europe!

  Bosnia

  Croatia

  Romania

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs depart regularly throughout the year

Description: Help build a sustainable community and improve the quality of life in a life changing community development program. International Student Volunteers (a non-profit organization) offers you the chance to volunteer in a community development program that will improve that quality of life for some of the worlds most war torn poverty stricken areas. After your project you will follow it up with an amazing two week adventure tour with activities such as a one week island hopping cruise through the Adriatic on your own private yacht, sea kayaking, white water swimming and exploring several world heritage sites including the 2000 year old Diocletian's Palace.

About ISV's infrastructure building:
ISVs community infrastructure projects are located within Eastern Europe's most war torn poverty stricken areas of Bosnia and Romani. Volunteers will find themselves working alongside members of the community in a joint effort to make a physical difference in the lives of the community. You will find yourself tending to the direct needs of the community by building much needed infrastructure such as schools for young children or public recreations areas for the whole community that will have long lasting benefits. The goal is to create areas where children have an opportunity to participate in learning and to provide communities with areas where they can come together to celebrate. Volunteers will need to be prepared for some light construction work as well as immersing themselves in the community and share in village life. This is an incredible opportunity to become an important and welcome part of these communities who need assistance as you work towards an improved standard of living.

Other projects in Eastern Europe:
Volunteer Projects:
children's education, orphanage projects, orphan brown bear conservation, community construction.

Adventure Tour
You will travel through the mountains of the Slovenian Alps before hitting the rolling plains of northern Croatia and heading south towards the Dalmatian Coast, its Mediterranean islands and a seven-day sailing adventure! You will explore World Heritage Sites such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, a magical world of lakes and waterfalls, Diocletians Palace, built in 295 AD, and the fortified Old Towns of Dubrovnik and Trogir. In addition, you will experience alpine environments with wild rivers and lush forests, medieval style towns with cobbled stone streets, quaint rural villages, idyllic beaches and the vibrant city culture of Ljubljana, Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik.

You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:
- Mountain biking around Lake Bled and Bovec
- Hydrospeeding on the Soca River
- Caving in underground karstic systems
- Discovering the historic Old Towns of Zagreb and Dubrovnik
- Visiting a world of cascades and waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park
- A two-day kayaking adventure on the Zrmanja River
- A seven-day island hopping adventure on a chartered boat
- Rock climbing on limestone cliffs around Omis
- Canyoning in the Cetina River gorge
- Exploring and swimming in the national park on Mljet Island
- Enjoying local cuisine cooked the traditional way

Highlights: Why travel with ISV?
Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Cost in US$: Please see website for details

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18-30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement: To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded: 1981