I have just got back from the 5 week placement in Sri Lanka with SLV.Global and it was the best thing I have ever done. I was on the Foundation placement and I loved my homestay. My homestay family was so kind and I felt like one of the family. I had never been abroad or away for so long and it really flew by. I learnt so much whilst I was there. I did not have much experience before I left and now I feel so much more confident. A lot of the projects I was assigned were teaching projects I was the only German participants in my group but this was not an issue as everyone on the team was so welcoming.

What an experience! As part of my gap year I went to Bali with SLV, I am due to study psychology and criminology next year and I was advised to apply to SLV.Global and I am really glad that I did. I was in Bali for 4 weeks but I travelled for another 4 weeks after. I had been a leader for my scouts club which I was told would be useful experience and it was. I loved my team and we got on so well and travelled all of the weekends together. We supported each other to plan sessions and then choose who would lead which activities. We were encouraged to make the sessions diverse and we often put games in which were popular. I am really glad that i chose to do this experience as it has proved that I want to work in mental health after I graduate.

Earlier this year I participated with SLV.Global in both Sri Lanka and India. Firstly I spent 8 weeks with SLV in Sri Lanka, which was just incredible. I originally was going to stay for 4 weeks but loved it so much I stayed for 8. I was on the advanced placement and stayed on my projects for the duration of my stay. I thought I would be an awful teacher but actually, I really enjoyed it and I dont thing I was too bad!! I then spent time in Thailand with a friend and then flew to India for the ancient and clinical psychology. I went because I love yoga and have recently started meditating but I also really enjoyed the clinical part. I would recommend it all to everyone!

In July of this year I went on the Bali Mental Health placement and whilst I was there I participated in the Java field trip as well. They were both amazing, challenging at times but so worthwhile. I loved Bali as a country and I wished I could have stayed longer there. I even saw dolphins which was my dream. I graduated in psychology a couple of years ago and was looking for more experience as I am hoping to apply to do a masters this year. I enjoyed working at the psychiatric hospital and also the projects that I went on working with people with special needs. If I dont get on the masters this year I might consider applying to work with people with special needs. I am so glad I did this experience as it taught me so much about myself.

I completed the 5 week Foundation Placement at SLV Sri Lanka earlier on this summer and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life! I gained the opportunity to organise creative projects and activities for vulnerable individuals in a completely different culture, with the help and support from the fantastic SLV staff and also from my peers along the way. Not only was the hands on experience provided by SLV global invaluable to me, I was also able to learn so much about Mental Health in Sri Lanka and different kinds of creative therapies from the many workshops SLV provided on a weekly basis...and one of the best parts is I got to experience all of this with some amazing people from all over the world who were on the same placement as I, we were a family for those 5 weeks and I'll cherish those friendships forever!

I did the 5 week placement in Sri Lanka with SLV and it was an incredible experience. I met the most amazing people and got opportunities that would've been impossible to get anywhere else. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants experience of a the mental health system in a different culture.

My time in Bali was the most insightful and interesting adventure I have had in my life so far. I experienced such an incredible and unique culture, as well as learning from my time working with autistic children, schizophrenic adults, Geriatrics, patients of a Balinese psychiatric hospital and others with a range of mental health and psychical issues. My time in Bali helped me gain confidence, explore a new culture, and give me valuable psychology work experience. I could not have done any of this without SLV Global and couldn't thank them enough for the opportunity I was given.

Going to Sri Lanka with SLV was such an incredible experience. My placement opened up a whole new world for me. I learned so much about myself, mental health, the amazing country, and I made lifelong friends along the way. I don't think I would have had the opportunity to do something like this anywhere else! I would recommend going on placement with SLV to anyone looking for mental health work experience paired with the opportunity to see amazing places.

I've just spent 5 weeks in Sri Lanka and honestly couldn't recommend the placement enough! Being able to work with such a variety of different service-user groups was a valuable experience because it develops your confidence for working with many kinds of people. I feel the placement taught me how to adapt to a range of different situations and I was surprised by how fulfilling all of the projects were. As well as working in groups, I also feel more confident in my leadership abilities. I was impressed by how a variety of different activities can be used to promote positive mental health, even in ways you might not expect. I met and worked with some amazing people in Sri Lanka - the staff members were so friendly and helpful, and I have formed great friendships with other volunteers. Living in a homestay was the perfect way to immerse yourself into the culture and travelling on weekends allowed us to discover more of the beautiful country. Even though the placement was 5 weeks long, it felt so much shorter and I would definitely recommend anyone interested in mental health, psychology or even anyone who wants to spend some time helping others - it was so rewarding!

I went to Bali for 4 weeks with SLV Global. During my time in Bali, I worked on a variety of different placements ranging from psychiatric facilities to Geriatric yoga. The placements were great as they gave us experience with a range of individuals with both physical and mental health problems. The placement was amazing overall, the supervisors and coordinators were so supportive and always there to help. Living with a Balinese homestay was amazing as we were able to experience traditional Balinese culture firsthand. Before getting to Bali, I was so nervous about being away from home for so long, but I honestly did not want to come home by the end. There is not a single thing I could say could have been improved on my placement, and I hope one day I can return to Bali and do it all over again.