Costa Rica Conservation Short-Term Internship

I appreciated the enthusiasm of staff and interns. They encouraged us to learn about all of the wildlife around us, not just the study species. The quantity and variety of wildlife was amazing. Overall the programme was very well organised, allowing me to make the most of my time there. I felt that there was scope to carry out more surveys than actually happened. For example it would have been sensible to include the checking of cameras whilst out on other surveys, rather than making specific trips to do this. I would only use two people from each group to enter data on each occasion. The current practice of having everybody in the office means that some people stand around like spare parts as it is not practical for everybody to get involved. Food stocks tended to be run at minimum level. Cooks would have more flexibility if non-perishable items were overstocked. In the middle of the programme it was decided that the dorms should take it in turns to organise social activities. This was a great idea and should ideally continue.

I really enjoyed the people that were on base and experiencing a completely new and different environment. Seeing all of the wildlife in the jungle was incredible and the more time I spend away from Costa Rica the more I appreciate the trip and experienced I gained. I thought the accommodations were more than adequate and the overall experience and immersion into the wildlife surroundings was everything I had hoped for.

The magic of turtles, the rainforest, and its creatures - I learned so much about the natural world and why we need to care for it. I really support the vision GVI has, and I would love to do another program in a different country in the future.