Experience:
Organisation:
Name: James
Hometown: Winchester
Destination: Costa Rica
Project type: Conservation
Organisation: i-to-i
What were your impressions of your destination?
The initial impressions of the destination pre-trip was excellent. The location looked stunning, the work appeared interesting and i-to-i seemed efficient and cost effective. Only my expectations about the venue were fulfiled.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
There was no work to do at all. I was due to spend 3 months doing conservational work (rainforest and turtle conservation) although I gave this up after 6 weeks. The simple truth is that there was nothing to do. The turtle conservation in particular was the most disappointing. Our responsibility was to patrol the beaches looking out for eggs thieves during the night. This was a far departure from any direct interaction with turtles (such as helping in the hatcheries that had been promised).
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
Accommodation was basic but sufficient and in keeping with the style of the trip. This aspect of the trip was fine as were the people we stayed with on the placements.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
There was very little leadership provided whilst we were out there. With all placements being remote, our responsibility was to get there. In one case, the closest bus stop was 4 miles from the placement. In the searing midday heat, there was no-one to collect us so instead we made the long and unknown route to placement on foot. All briefs were also supplied in Spanish which made it difficult to get an accurate grasp of any operational information.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
No. What we paid i-to-i for was only a small portion of the trip itself (with food, accomodation and travel expenses being paid seperately). What we paid a significant amount of money to i-to-i for I do not know. My biggest gripe is that, despite the placements being stunning, the work (which was the main reason I had gone) was not there for us to do. A few weeks of sitting on a beach/in a rainforest is fine. Weeks after weeks after weeks however of it does lead you to question what exactly i-to-i do. I would never go with i-to-i again or recommend them to anyone. The trip was overall enjoyable but this was in no part due to anything that i-to-i did.
Would you recommend the project to others?
No
