Location
Tortuguero National Park
Duration :
4 - 12 weeks
Dates Description
Two Saturdays per month, all year
Language Level
conversational
Minimum age
18
Join this conservation internship based in the heart of the Tortuguero National park, home to endangered sea turtles; jaguars and a plethora of fauna and flora.
As an intern you will be given the opportunity to work alongside highly esteemed conservation organisations such as Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Panthera, Coastal Jaguar Conservation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy. You will be working on a diverse range of projects dependent on season, you could be working on biodiversity surveys; tracking and camera trapping of Jaguars and beach walks to record data on nesting turtles.
A large part of the research conducted is focused on the behaviour of the Jaguars as they prey on the Sea Turtles within the National Park, one of the only places in the world where you can study this phenomenon.
Interns will also be responsible for data input, you will be motivated to generate new solutions and propose new elements to improve contribution to conservation in Costa Rica.
Interns are required to complete weekly assignments and host leadership days. While on program, interns are supported by a dedicated mentor.
This internship includes three online courses which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States:
- Wildlife Conservation
- Leadership Training
- Career Development
After successful completion of this internship, you will be offered two career coaching sessions as well as gain access to a job portal.
The base in Tortuguero National Park is the perfect way to unplug and get in touch with the natural environment. It is located in the heart of the jungle on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, an hour’s boat ride from the nearest small town. Field work includes walking the the protected beaches looking for signs of turtles and jaguars, traveling on canoe through the foliage-draped canals spotting aquatic bird species, and, if you are lucky, a manatee in the water below, or trekking through the jungle spotting and noting everything from howler monkeys, sloths, tamanduas anteaters, and toucans. Don’t forget to pack your camera.
Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night, which means you could experience spectacular sunsets and sunrises over the Caribbean sea. In your free time, relax at our small camping-style base, which is solar-powered and designed to have as minimal an impact on the natural environment as possible. We are much like a big family on base, and share cooking and tidying duties.
The career upgrade offers you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience by working with partner orginisations in multiple locations. This combination of having a virtual experience on top of on the ground experience are qualities that are highly sought after by employers.
Gain valuable experience and collect data for a dissertation or thesis. This program offers virtual check ins with an academic supervisor who has extensive experience and credentials in this sector. As an academic intern, your main focus will be collecting or analyzing data and writing a paper.
JOB GUARANTEE: for both the Career & Academic internship, we offer a job guarantee for those who join for a minimum of 6 months with a 50% cash back guarantee (terms and conditions apply).
Get in touch for more information!
- Up to date CV/ resume
- Copy of return flight itinerary
- Police clearance
- Intermediate level of English; understanding and speaking
- Acceptance subject to availability of position
Scientific Permits:
Since this program is located within a national park, you will need to apply for a scientific permit. This is done on your behalf by our project partner, they will require the following: CV professionally translated into Spanish, ID copy and 2 passport size photo copy. Processing time takes on average 6 weeks, please bare this in mind when applying for the program.
A 50% deposit is required for booking. Balance payment is due 4 weeks prior to departure. In case of cancellation before start date, all fees will be refunded, except the deposit. In case of cancellation after start date, there will be no refund.
Founded in 1998, our partner organistion run award winning programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by their own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners.
As an organisation, their aim is to constantly develop an understanding of ethical best practice. In so doing, they aim to provide an exemplary industry standard for other education institutions, international development organisations, and social enterprises. Their Badge of Ethics stands for the drive to always do good, better.
Jaguar & Sea Turtle Conservation Internship
Total incl. tax per person:
reservations@freepackers.com
+33 1 80 20 82 47
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