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NEW! Island Conservation and Development Internship

by: Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

Add first reviewVerifiedSince 2006

Our interns play a crucial role in supporting the conservation of unique ecosystems and species and improving local conditions for our host community in the Galapagos. As part of your internship, you can learn with us, develop key professional skills, and help implement sustainable development programs in one of the most unique places on the planet. We're always looking for talented, skilled interns to join our team here in Isabela. If you're passionate, articulate, quick, driven, and enthusiastic and want to make a real difference in an innovative and flexible environment, why not join us on our mission? Our impactful internships are perfect for developing key professional and personal skills, interacting with local institutions, and getting first-hand experience in the sustainability field. You develop key skills while contributing to the sustainable development of the Galapagos and helping us achieve the global UN SDGs. Personal and professional development AND sustainable impact—the perfect combo!

Program Highlights

Make a difference in preserving unique species working with world-recognized conservation authorities.

Join an effort to keep the Galapagos wild and beautiful, helping strengthen your conservation understanding and skills.

Develop key professional and personal skills, interact with local institutions, and get first-hand experience working in the sustainability field.

Develop key skills while contributing to the sustainable development of Galapagos and helping IOI work toward global UN SDGs.

Develop global competence and awareness, and enhance your Spanish competency.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundIntern Duration:
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 3-6 Months
  • Fall
Age Requirement: 18-35
Types & Subjects
Fields:
  • Education
  • National Park
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Spanish
  • Sustainable Development
  • Tourism
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Awards

Top Rated Notable Mentions 2022

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Types and Subjects

  • Fields
  • Education
  • National Park
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Spanish
  • Sustainable Development
  • Tourism

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Intern Duration:
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 3-6 Months
  • Fall

Age Requirement

18-35

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Group

Program Cost Includes

  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • All Program Activity Costs
  • Wifi Costs
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Visa Fees
  • Required Equipment
  • On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Training
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Internship Placement
  • Laundry
  • Emergency Support

Accommodation Options

  • Home-stays

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • Spanish

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the internship organized?

With a 6-week minimum duration, internships are organized as follows:

Onboarding and skill development encompass the first 6 weeks. If you wish to intern longer, the onboarding phase is followed by a work placement of 2-6 weeks, depending on how long you want to stay.

You will be placed with the IOI team or local partners (partners are Spanish-speaking so you will need a minimum of conversational Spanish skills to be considered).

What does the Onboarding and Skill Development entail?

This is an intro to IOI, projects, and long-term sustainability strategy. You gain valuable skills, from leadership and management to volunteering and learning how our projects operate and how we manage logistics. Our staff monitors your progress and provides ongoing feedback, including weekly meetings with a mentor. You also earn the Emergency First Response certificate, Leadership Course, and Off-Site Safety Management Training.

How does the 2- to 6-week placement work?

If you choose to stay for the placement phase after the training period, you will be assigned a placement based on your interest, skills, Spanish level, and current project needs. For 2–6 weeks, further develop your skills while placed with the IOI team and our projects or with one of our local partners.

Are there any language requirements?

Our local partners are Spanish-speaking, so you must have at least conversational language skills. You can practice and improve during the 6-week onboarding and skill development period. We also have a partner institution that offers an accredited pre-arrival online Spanish course if you would like to learn or brush up on your language skills before arrival. Otherwise, you can get by with no/basic Spanish skills.

What fees are not included?

Fee includes food, room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc. — everything with the exception of your airfare, personal expenses, travel insurance, the $20 USD Tourist Transit Card fee to Galapagos (cash at Quito/Guayaquil Airports), and the $15 USD visa-holder Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (cash at the Baltra/San Cristobal Airports).

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Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

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Ready to Learn More?

Our interns play a crucial role in supporting the conservation of unique ecosystems and species and improving local conditions for our host community in the Galapagos. As part of your internship, you can learn with us, develop key professional skills, and help implement sustainable development programs in one of the most unique places on the planet. We're always looking for talented, skilled interns to join our team here in Isabela. If you're passionate, articulate, quick, driven, and enthusiastic and want to make a real difference in an innovative and flexible environment, why not join us on our mission? Our impactful internships are perfect for developing key professional and personal skills, interacting with local institutions, and getting first-hand experience in the sustainability f...

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