Alumni Interview with Amy Lovegrove

What inspired you to go abroad?

Having completed a marine conservation project in the Bahamas last year, I wanted to do a land based internship so that I could gain more experience in conservation and help build up my CV. I loved diving and undertaking the marine surveys on my previous project, so I was sure I'd enjoy a jungle project to get stuck into.

Why did you choose Frontier?

I shan't beat around the bush, I was specifically looking for a wildlife conservation internship, and Frontier was the first link that came up on Google, so I had a good look around and found the NGO internship, and it seemed too good to be true! I decided to go with Frontier because the project sounded incredible and the head office staff were really lovely and helpful, which sold it for me.

What was your favorite part about Costa Rica?

I've travelled quite a lot in my time, but Costa Rica is, hands down, the most beautiful and interesting country I've been to. The camp is smack bang in the middle of the jungle so you're totally immersed in the culture and wildlife (though the howler monkey wake up calls at 3am aren't exactly welcoming) and surrounded by stunning beaches and classy eco-lodges. It's also a great opportunity to learn Spanish because very few of the locals speak fluent English.

What made your experience abroad unique?

The most unique part of my project was just how rural the camp is. Carate is a lovely, but tiny area with few locals, even fewer tourists, and more wildlife on your doorstep than you'd find in most zoos! Though it may not sound fun, I was stung by scorpions and hornets and bitten by ants and mosquitos, but I had a genuine and authentic experience of the jungle which was exactly what I was looking for.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The staff at camp were crazy, but after months in the jungle, I'd be surprised if they were sane! Everyone was so kind and helpful, funny and very well trained in their respective fields. Each staff member had their own specialty group of animals, be it birds, bugs, turtles or reptiles, so there was always someone around to give us information on any species we wanted to know more about. The manager, Laura, who is also mad, is so organised and was always around if we needed her. She also organised trips to Corcovado Park, whale watching, and kayaking for us so we could have an even more amazing experience.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

Unfortunately I had to leave my project early due to a couple of dislocated knees and a poorly timed University field trip. Instead of having 8 weeks in Costa Rica, I only had 4, and so if I were to do it again, I'd suck it up and stay for the whole duration of my internship. Not that any of it can be helped, but I wish everything had conspired with me rather than against me!

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

There were two types of typical days depending on whether you like your turtles at 5am or 11pm. If you're an early bird, it's up at around 4am for a nice head-torch-lit breakfast then trailing the beaches for newly laid turtle nests, followed by a second breakfast, then the daily survey sign goes up and you can do amphibian and reptiles, primates, mammals, birds, etc throughout the day and have an early night. Alternatively, you can have a lie in, sign up for day surveys, then go out on night turtle patrols and hopefully see some turtles coming up to lay their eggs, in which case you could be out for 5+ hours staying with the turtles!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Around a 5-10 minute walk away from camp there is a little shop which has WiFi (for $2 an hour) and cute dogs, so a lot of us would wander down to catch up with our families. Other than that, there are two waterfalls near camp you can walk to, or lie in a hammock and read!

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

Well, there are no walls and everything is always damp. Once you get over that, it's a nice simple lifestyle. There are four cabins of 10 bunks but most people get a whole bunk to themselves. Mosquito nets are provided, as are mattresses and pillows. If you double up on the foam mattresses, it is rather comfy. Also, it gets quite cold at night so bring a blanket!

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

It is hard work. If you want to get the most out of the internship, or the volunteering, I'd recommend doing as many surveys as you can, and taking every opportunity, which means quite a lot of effort. There's a lot of walking and clambering over fallen trees, so be prepared! I'm not sure what I was expecting when I arrived, but I wish I'd have known how much there was to do!

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

Time for some cheese... This project literally changed my life. Before I went, I was seriously considering pursuing a career in marine conservation because of how much I enjoyed diving and coral reef biology, however I discovered in Costa Rica that I love amphibians, reptiles and mammals even more! It's helped me to get more of an idea of what I want to do after I graduate, and a much wider sense of what conservation biology involves.

Would you recommend Frontier to others? Why?

Yes! Absolutely yes! This internship is perfect for anyone who loves adventure, travelling and animals. Frontier has got a brilliant network in Costa Rica, for example working with Cotorco Turtle Conservation, which gives everyone the opportunity to develop their own individual interests and make their experience unique.