This experience taught me a lot of useful skills. Being a Sri Lankan myself, I did not think that I would have new things to discover about Sri Lanka. However, I learnt a lot about Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka whilst volunteering with SLV. During the weekend travels, you get to discover beautiful places that differ from one to the other, around the country. The staff are very friendly, helpful and understanding. They will help you through the placement journey. Furthermore, though you receive a lot of help and guidance, the placement teaches you about the importance of teamwork as you plan all of your sessions together. This helps you to observe and learn at first, from the volunteers who have already been there for a while. Moreover, the homestay families are very caring, attentive and kean to learn a lot about you! The families love to share their way of life and culture with you and are eager to do so. After spending 12 weeks as a Special Needs volunteer/coordinator, I learnt a lot about myself and lots of new skills as to how it is important to be responsible, friendly and how important it is to really care about others. Furthermore, being on this placement taught me a lot about, how helpful therapy is as I do not come from a psychology background. All in all, SLV really cares about YOUR experience and it also values teamwork, which combined together provides you a great platform to gain an absolutely great and useful experience in Sri Lanka.

had a nice time, thank you

I was a part of the January-April team.on.the mental health placement. I gained valuable experience and knowledge about mental health and worked along side such lovely people. I made life long friends and discovered an amazing country . Take me back!

I spent 3 months coordinating and volunteering with SLV last year and wish I could have stayed longer. I miss the projects, the people, the food, the evenings at the homestays, the weekend travels... I got to work as part of a team made up of really inspiring individuals and the amazing local volunteers and project managers were always on hand and offered a solid network of support. Work across the projects can be challenging and emotionally demanding but is ultimately really rewarding, and has been useful in so many different ways in job applications since. The variety of the projects is also a really great asset – working with people with special needs, for example, was something I had never done before; while it was initially intimidating, by the end these were some of the most enjoyable times and where some of my fondest memories are. I whole-heartedly recommend SLV to anyone who is thinking about it!

I cannot recommended the psychology placement enough to anyone who is looking for a unique and insightful experience within mental health. SLV do all they can to make your experience the best it can be for you personally and everything is very well organised. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with amazing culture which you get to experience first hand with SLV. I have learnt so much and I am grateful for all the support I received from SLV before, during and after my time in Sri Lanka. From a psychology perspective, although culturally different the work is varied and relevant and really useful for anyone looking for a career in this field.

From being a volunteer coordinator on the Graduate Mental Health Placement in January 2014, I can honestly say that SLV gives you a unique and eye-opening experience. Not only do SLV allow you to work with people in a different country and experience a whole new culture, but they fully support you and ensure a positive impact on the communities with which they work. The experience is definitely challenging, but it is also rewarding and I can't believe how much I learnt over my three months in Sri Lanka.

Had such an amazing experience with SLV, very supportive and welcoming with you for every step of the way. Would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to volunteer abroad working with children. You get such a variety of experience working at the different projects. Living at a homestay with a Sri Lankan family was great too getting really involved in the culture.

I was a volunteer coordinator for SLV in January 2014, doing the Graduate Mental Health Placement. It was an amazing experience and I would love to go back. Expect more teaching than you think there will be - but actually I found I got the most in terms of skills out of my teaching projects rather than the special needs or psychology ones. The Sri Lankan team were so helpful and supportive. Living in a homestay with a Sri Lankan family made my experience so much more like actually living in the country and being a part of the community than you would get living elsewhere. I loved every minute of it and would definitely recommend it as an amazing way to "help" others, experience a new culture and help you in finding a job.

A fantastic organisation that goes above and beyond to support volunteers and provides a completely different but insightful volunteering experience from a psychological perspective. Would recommend to any graduate who is seeking mental health/psychological work experience, it was an eye opening and culturally diverse experience. Sri Lanka and the SLV team were wonderful and lovely, and I would love to volunteer again in the future!

When I first heard about SLV volunteers I wasn't sure it was my sort of thing, but I decided to go for it anyway and I'm so glad I did! I was part of the non-psychology placement in Horana. We had an amazing homestay with a great family, and although life in Sri Lanka was completely different from anything else I'd experienced, I felt that myself and the rest of my group fit in so quickly because everyone you come into contact with is so welcoming! Although the placements can be hard they are definitely worth it, as all the kids love having the volunteers there. I really enjoyed how there was such a variety of volunteer placements, and there were so many amazing places to visit at weekends. I'm so glad I was part of SLV as it was such a rewarding experience! I hope to return to Sri Lanka soon :)

SLV is a great organisation for anyone who has never volunteered before. I was made to feel comfortable and safe at all times but was also positively challenged by the work we did. SLV are clearly very committed to improving so many peoples lives and make such a huge difference in Sri Lanka. Not only did I have loads of fun but it felt so good to be part of such a trustworthy and helpful organisation. I would fully recommend SLV to anyone who has never volunteered abroad before as well as those who are experienced. I gained so much from my time in Sri Lanka and hope to go back and help again in the future with SLV :)

I was really hesitant about applying for SLV as I had never been to Asia before, and it wasn't long before that I went abroad for the first time. However the expereince sounded amazing, and it is not expereince you can get in the uk. I am so glad I went and would easily go again! I met so many amazing people and had so much fun in the projects. I even picked up a little Sinhala. There is such a variety in projects that it really helps with getting to know which aspect of mental health you want to work in. The project is so cheap compared to others and you gain so many skills! I would definetely recomend this!

I was in Sri Lanka as a volunteer for 3 months on the graduate mental health placement. It had such a great time and I could not recommend it more!! As I want to pursue a career in mental health, I found this placement extremely beneficial in getting hands on experience in the hospital and a special needs care home. I also taught English and swimming which was a great new experience and a lot of fun! The whole placement was so well organised and I was supported throughout the whole placement which makes SLV a high class organisation. The continuity of the placements means that you can really get stuck in and see how the projects make such a difference! The projects were such a rewarding and humbling experience and on top of this I got to meet some really great people and travel around Sri Lanka which made my experience even better! In my time there I didn't meet anyone that didn't love it so if you decide to apply, I'm sure you won't regret it:)!

I spent an amazing 8 weeks in Sri Lanka this October. Originally I was going for four weeks but I extended my stay while I was in Sri Lanka, and it certainly was one of the best decisions I had ever made! I learnt a lot from my Mental Health placement, about the culture in Sri Lanka, made incredible friends, had the best food ever and I would go back with a blink of an eye! I went to Sri Lanka with no perspective after graduating and came back with so many ideas of what I would like to get into. It's definitely something worth doing and I have no regrets whatsoever! All in all, a great organisation and a wonderful placement.

Working with SLV was a fantastic experience, and if anyone isn't quite sure on whether to go or not - just go for it, you won't regret it! I am looking to go into Occupational Therapy, and found this to be absolutely perfect work experience for me. It, of course, is also of use to anyone looking to go into psychology, teaching, or any other caring profession. You get to meet some inspiration people, hear incredible stories and gain life-changing experience. I have been on other international volunteering trips, and found SLVolunteers to be a lot more professional in their running of the projects, and they clearly have set outcomes and plans to benefit the community. So you feel like you are part of really worthwhile process. The psychology placement also runs some interesting lectures and workshops, and the day I spent shadowing the community psychiatrist and being able to observe the amazing work he does was possibly the most memorable day of my life. The family stays are lovely too, with delicious home cooked food each night and continued support. The team really go out of their way to help you if you ever need it, and you're never on your own. The country is exceptionally beautiful, and there's too much choice for places to go at the weekend! My only complaint is that 4 weeks is not long enough!!!

Going to Sri Lanka I had no idea what to expect so it's hard to say that expectations were succseeded but it defiantly was one of the most enjoyable and challenging experiences ever! Unlike most volunteering experiences SLV is very hands and all activities and lessons are planned by you. Although daunting at first this really gives you the chance to get involved in the projects and is so rewarding when things you have organised go to plan. SLV is also unique in providing a psychology placement allowing experiences that you would never get in England as well as a real insight into other cultures. Such a rewarding experience and a great chance to meet some of the loveliest people, both volunteers and people on projects! I would defiantly recommend Sri Lanka with SLV!

I volunteered with SLV this summer for 5 weeks, and it was one of the most life changing and incredible experiences of my life. I was on the Psychology Placement and seeing mental health in action in another country and being a part of it was very rewarding, but emotional at times! SLV taught me so much through the volunteering opportunities they gave me and it helped me know what to do when I leave Uni. For a volunteering experience abroad it is very good value for all the experience you receive. The other volunteers, the teams and the Sri Lankan families were all lovely and friendly and made my time there more special! Thank you so much SLV and the team!