Internship Life
Costa Rica Rainforest Conservation Internship

Your first 10 week phase is spent as a normal GVI volunteer. Your second ten weeks as an intern (please see Internships section for more information for life and training as an intern ). As a volunteer during the first 10 weeks, interns will undergo an initial intensive training program, covering health and safety and including the internationally recognized EFR first aid and CPR course, learning turtle, mammal and bird identification and the survey skills to study their populations, jaguar predation ecology and surveys skills. You will be examined on species identification and research protocol to ensure you can participate fully as a member of our diverse research teams.

See up to date info on the Costa Rica Blog

You will spend the majority of your time on the expedition conducting exciting research projects, collecting and collating data. All members of the expedition are also required to help with the running of the biological research station, which includes cooking (bring your favourite herbs and recipes!), maintenance and cleaning on a rotational basis. The days can be long, starting early in order to take advantage of the cool mornings and wildlife activity, and work continues throughout the day and night (in turtle season). Be warned that you will get very hot and sweaty during the day's activities, so ensure you come prepared (upon application you will receive a fully comprehensive field manual which contains a recommended kit list).

The first few weeks will be hard as you adapt to the change in environment and learn the different skills the projects require. Though not isolated, the expedition is in a fairly remote location so you will participate in first aid training (and can get certified in this at cost price if you wish), health and safety procedures, and you will learn about the area and the different study sites. These training courses are crucial as the environment has its hazards. You will be prepared thoroughly for any eventuality and your skills will be tested on a continuous basis. By the end of the expedition your sense of accomplishment will be astounding and you will be a competent researcher with many new skills to offer.

Those who choose to join this expedition may have the opportunity to:

• Participate in jaguar research along remote regions and beaches, looking for the elusive animal and their signs, and helping with the camera trapping. A small number of people have been able see a jaguar in the wild, but this includes a lucky handful of GVI volunteers
• Learn a range of surveying techniques for wildlife research and put those skills to good use in the field, conducting biological surveys in both coastal and rainforest environments. This includes identifying key species of birds, mammals (including several monkey species), helping with marine turtle nesting and hatchling surveys
• See prime turtle nesting beaches for green and leatherback turtles and watch them lay their eggs and return to the sea, then see the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the sea
• Canoe down tranquil jungle waterways on bird surveys and taking in the sounds, smells and amazing diversity of plants and trees of the dense jungle on either side and spotting monkeys, otters, toucans, caiman and turtles on the canals of the National Park
• Climb the Cerro Tortuguero – a short but testing jungle trail leading to the top of the only high point in the area, which gives you a fabulous view of the beach, Tortuguero, the vast tropical rainforest and the waterways
Share recipes from home and learn to cook for a large group of people
• Experience the beach and the canals under the stars, spotting caiman and turtles as well as other nocturnal species – something you will never forget!
• Visit beautiful Costa Rica and learn about Tico traditions. Enjoy conversations with like-minded people from different countries and backgrounds