Overview

Gain work experience in an environmental communications role while contributing to the conservation of Curieuse Island. Plus choose from additional research or career experience!

Travel to a small tropical island off the coast of East Africa to create awareness of global conservation issues affecting unique island habitats and the work of international and local organisations to preserve these environments. In the process, participate in conserving the island, learn about conservation, gain experience in communications and social media, and start developing your leadership skills.

Photo of a person taking a photo of the sea viewed from a hill with palm trees

Live with other participants on the famously beautiful Anse St. Jose beach on a tiny tropical island. Learn scientific monitoring techniques from conservationists and work with the international team to assist the Seychelles National Parks Authority with collecting the data necessary for making decisions to preserve and restore the island’s native habitats and threatened species.

Create engaging social media content, blogs, and other content to promote international conservation awareness. The experience you gain on this internship will ensure that you are well-suited to any communications role and the best practices for communicating conservation initiatives will enable you to be perfectly suited to an environmental communication role specifically.

Highlights

  • Advocate for social change using the power of online media to create awareness about conservation issues and initiatives.
  • Contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #14, Life Below Water, and #15, Life On Land.
  • Gain work experience in communications and social media.
  • Learn how to conduct real conservation research.
  • In your free time, go island hopping around the Seychelles archipelago.

Photo of a tortoise in a jungle

Our Award-winning Partner

Conservation Careers has teamed up with an award-winning, mission-driven organisation with a team of passionate experts across the globe who will make your experience a truly unforgettable one.

Founded in 1998, they run programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the objectives of local partners. They welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how they achieve their mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Their commitment to running high-quality sustainable development and experiential education programs has earned them recognition from numerous organizations such as Panthera, the Seychelles Parks & Gardens Authority, as well as Stanford, NYU, Duke, and Ohio State.

If you register your interest below, you’ll put you in touch with our partner to take the booking and to plan your trip!

To see all our Conservation Careers Internship opportunities, please click here.

Photo of a person filming two people looking at research equipment

Enhance your internship with Career or Research opportunities

You can choose to do only the Core Internship, or extend and specialise your experience by choosing between Career or Research internship options.

Career Internship

A career internship will give you a leg up into your career as a conservation or sustainable development practitioner. Career internships are best suited to participants who are looking to gain additional experience collaborating on impactful initiatives with our global partners.

The main focus of our career internships is for you to complete practical work at a base and then a range of virtual project work with our international partners.

Your career internship fee will cover your pre-departure support and materials, food, accommodation, training and orientation, long-term field staff, 24-hour in-country support, and project equipment. As well as:

  • pre-program training
  • three online courses endorsed by the University of Richmond
  • training on our partner’s ethics and work with the UN SDGs, your internship location and project focus
  • practical experience working in the field alongside local and international experts
  • a remote internship supervisor who’ll provide you with one-on-one support and guidance
  • a project with a partner
  • a professional reference upon successfully completing your internship
  • a LinkedIn reference and skills endorsement upon successfully completing your internship
  • access to a job portal of available roles in conservation and sustainable development
  • preference on opportunities to work for our partner
  • An employment guarantee (if your career internship was longer than 6 months).

You’ll also get the opportunity to gain insight into how projects are implemented in a variety of our career internship locations, when you meet and collaborate virtually with other career interns, and partners, across our locations around the world.

Research Internship

Are you in the process of completing a research paper, thesis or dissertation?

The main focus of a research internship is to support you in collecting and/or analysing the data that you’ll use to write up your paper. And thanks to our partner’s involvement in global conservation and sustainable development, you’ll be able to supplement your research with insights from existing datasets that were 20 years in the making.

Research internships also help you to prepare for your future career in the industry by giving you experience with field research methodologies.

Your research internship fee will cover your pre-departure support and materials, food, accommodation, training and orientation, long-term field staff, 24-hour in-country support, and project equipment. As well as:

  • pre-program training
  • three online courses endorsed by the University of Richmond
  • training on our partner’s ethics and work with the UN SDGs, your internship location and project focus
  • practical experience working in the field alongside local and international experts
  • a remote internship supervisor who’ll provide you with one-on-one support and guidance
  • support with completing a research paper or thesis
  • a professional reference upon successfully completing your internship
  • a LinkedIn reference and skills endorsement upon successfully completing your internship
  • access to a job portal of available roles in conservation and sustainable development
  • preference regarding opportunities to work for our partner
  • An employment guarantee (if your research internship was longer than 6 months).

Not to mention unforgettable, off-the-beaten-track, life-changing experiences!

Photo of a research base

Life On Base

The tropical paradise of Curieuse Island and its surrounding waters is a national park, managed by the Seychelles Parks and Garden Authority (SPGA). Our partner’s beach-front camp is located on the white sand beach of Anse St Jose and overlooks Praslin (the Seychelles’ second-largest island), a short boat ride away. With turquoise waters, lush jungle, and granite boulders all over, this remote private island has no roads, no infrastructure, and no shops.

Curieuse is home to around 150 Aldabra giant tortoises and many endemic and rare species, including the Coco de Mer palm, which is only grown in two locations in the world. While all of the tortoises roam freely, Obama the wild giant tortoise is a regular visitor to our base.

Accommodation

At this eco-friendly base, accommodation is in shared dorm rooms, and bathroom facilities are shared. There is cold running water available for showers, so expect fresh (cold) rainwater showers! Everyone shares base duties, including cleaning and other chores, which is all part of the experience. The base library and science room is not what you might expect – this one has a sand floor and is on the beach, just metres from the sea. Here, you can swap books and choose from an array of books – everything from novels to educational reading materials.

Communication

You’ll have access to long-distance communications whilst on the program. Make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you so they don’t worry if you aren’t in regular contact with them. Local SIM cards and pay-as-you-go credit can be bought in the Seychelles, and the signal is good in most areas.

Meals

Volunteers take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is basic but nutritious.  Primarily vegetarian, optional fish or meat available is once or twice a week. Breakfast could include porridge with fresh fruit, eggs, or occasionally pancakes or cereal.  Lunch and evening meals typically include pasta, beans, rice, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables. Fridays are BBQ nights on the beach.

Climate

Most of the year, the climate in the Seychelles is relatively agreeable for the tropics, although it can be very hot in the sun when out on fieldwork. There are essentially two main seasons. The southeast monsoon season (from around May to August) is cooler, with a steady breeze and little rain. The northwest monsoon season (between the end of November and March) is typically windy with occasional heavy rain – especially in December and January. Between the monsoon seasons (April and October) the weather is usually calm, hot, and dry – perfect for boat trips and swimming in the calm water. It’s usually only cold when it rains, so it’s worth bringing a rain jacket.

During “research season” specific species are more prevalent. Sharks and hawksbill turtles are monitored from October to March, and giant tortoises from April to September. Green turtles are monitored all year round. Beach profiling and cleanups are conducted throughout the year.

Photo of people sharing a meal at a large table under a timber shelter

Training

This program is an investment in your career. No matter which you choose, you will be working toward improving your employability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise and earning qualifications in many cases. Most of our staff are, in fact, Alumni, and we have helped many of our Alumni discover, move toward, and earn their own personal dream jobs. Each program includes introductory workshops, ongoing presentations, as well as on-the-ground professional support provided by our very own trained staff members. In addition, our training programs are critical for helping us to ensure the long-term impact of our sustainable development projects around the world.

FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS | COURSES

All internships include three courses (Leadership, Careers in Sustainable Development and a specialisation course) offered in partnership with the University of Richmond and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS | ORIENTATION

Orientation: Your Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Learn about COVID-19 pre-departure guidelines, base expectations, personal and area hygiene practices and what we are doing to keep you safe.

Orientation: Travelling Responsibly and Ethically

Learn about the importance of child and vulnerable adult protection best practices and how to apply them while on project.

Orientation: UN Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction to the history and evolution of sustainable development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and how these related to your project work.

Orientation: Further Opportunities for Impact

Learn about our country locations and further opportunities available to you during or after your program.

FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS AT CURIEUSE

Community: Human Empowerment

Learn about our empowerment principles.

Conservation: Survey Techniques and Logistics

An introduction to different survey techniques and best practice guidelines for surveys; introduction to different types of data and how to record information via a datasheet.

Conservation: Biodiversity & Target Species Identification

Learn about biodiversity and how biodiversity is measured, classifying different species and how to identify species that indicate the health of the habitat.

Marine Conservation: Pollution and Plastics

Learn about issues with plastic and measures that can be taken to help reduce plastic consumption.

Marine Conservation: Coral Reefs

Learn about what a coral reef is, its importance, how it is formed, how this ecosystem works.

Invasive Species Eradication

Learn about how species like cinnamon, cocoplum, and rats cause damage to island flora and fauna and what is being done to remove these species.

Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (seasonal)

Participants are shown how to correctly set up Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVs) with rigging, bait, camera, etc. Correct handling techniques are also taught for safe deployments and retrievals of the frames, and participants may be trained in fish identification to assist with video analysis. Please note that this is a seasonal activity, so participation depends on the time of year and the need for this data.

Beach Profiling

Record the rate of coastal erosion with our beach profiling surveys.

Sicklefin Lemon Shark Monitoring

Help us track down sicklefin lemon shark pups for our catch-and-release project, gathering population and growth rate information on this understudied species.

Tortoise Population Census

Assist in our annual census of the island’s Aldabra Giant tortoise population and keep tabs on the growth rates of hatchlings and juvenile tortoises in the nursery

Mangrove Mapping (seasonal)

Investigating seedling recruitment and mortality, and further determining species distribution across the mangrove forests. Please note that this is a seasonal activity, so participation depends on the time of year and the need for this data.

Sea Turtle Beach Surveys

To study nesting success in Hawksbill and Green turtles, collect data such as tag numbers, carapace (shell) measurements and the number of eggs laid or carry out nest excavations to measure hatching success.

Plastic presentation

A presentation highlighting the issue with plastic and measures that can be taken to help reduce plastic consumption.

Science presentations

Participants receive presentations detailing each of our projects. These presentations include background information, Curieuse-specific information, methodologies, the importance of data collection, future plans, etc.

Boat and snorkelling orientation

Detailed lessons on the boat procedures, including knot tying, entry and exit procedures, emergency plans.

Coconut husking lesson

Participants are shown the correct techniques and have the opportunity to practice husking a coconut to eat or use in a beverage.

Domestic Duties Orientation

Training is given on the domestic duties around base, including how to cook for large groups, and a fun lesson on how to make bread.

Monitoring Induction

A monitoring induction by our staff on the techniques and best practice for conducting research in the field.Aerial photo of a jungle and sandy beach coast

Your Impact

All of our programs have short-, mid- and long-term objectives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.

Prior to your arrival on base, you will be educated about the UN SDGs. Then once you arrive on base, you’ll learn about the specific goals we have in this particular location, our various objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these.

Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to be an active global citizen after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Experiences

During your program, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience tailor-made adventure and wellness activities. These have been specially designed to further immerse you in the diversity and richness of the habitats and cultures around you.

  • Learn to cook Seychellois Creole cuisine
  • Experience traditional moutya dancing on the beach
  • Stargaze and learn the southern constellations
  • Hike to the top of Mount Curieuse
  • Stand up paddleboard at sunrise
  • Visit Vallée de Mai in Praslin National Park
  • Spend the day at a secluded beach
  • Sleep under the stars on Mount Curieuse

Photo of two hermit crabs

Cultural Immersion

Engaging intimately with a new context teaches global awareness, adaptability and critical thinking – skills highly valued in the modern marketplace. Local and cultural immersion is encouraged on all our programs around the world, and will also be one of the most enjoyable aspects of your experience. Luckily, there are many different activities that you can get involved in during your free time, or before and after your program.

On our community programs, the focus is on cultural topics, while on marine or wildlife programs the emphasis is more on the environmental element. Use your evenings and weekends to explore topics like local cuisine and religion, or how sustainable development challenges are affecting local contexts.

Curieuse Island

Our partner’s island conservation program in the Seychelles is based on the island of Curieuse. Both the island and its surrounding waters are a national park, managed by Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA). On Curieuse, you can experience true island culture, as the island has very few inhabitants compared to most of the other larger islands, making its natural habitat very well preserved. This beautiful coastal area consists of unique habitats including mangroves, wetlands, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.

The island is notable for its bare red earth mountains and was originally named “Ile Rouge” due to its red-coloured soil. In 1768, the French claimed possession of the island, renaming it after the schooner, “La Curieuse”.  Over the years, the island faced severe soil erosion following several fires. The first significant fire was in 1771, and its scars can still be seen today.

Seychelles

The Seychelles is a tropical archipelago off the east coast of Africa, consisting of 100 islands. The main, or so-called inner islands, are made of granite. Researchers believe that they used to form part of the Indian subcontinent. The granite attracted corals and most of the outer islands of the Seychelles are based on coral. The islands are famous for their unique biodiversity and are home to literally thousands of unique land and underwater species. The waters of the Indian Ocean are a haven for coral conservation efforts, making the Seychelles a sought-after diving destination.

Festivals

There are festivals throughout the year, the most notable being the Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria in February, which celebrates the cultures that helped shape the Seychelles. There is also the La Digue Festival in mid-August and the Creole Festival in October. For those interested in the natural world, there is the SUBIOS Underwater Festival on Mahe’s main beach in October, which celebrates underwater conservation.

Languages

Seychellois Creole is spoken by the majority of the native Seychellois ( 95% of the population). Because the island country was once a British colony, English is the language officially used in government and business dealings. Some French is also spoken on the islands.

Aerial photo of a jungle and sandy beach coast

Duration, Dates & Costs

Duration of fieldwork:

Start Dates: 4 – 12 weeks

  • 2023 – 29 Apr; 13 May; 27 May; 10 Jun; 24 Jun; 08 Jul; 22 Jul; 05 Aug; 19 Aug; 02 Sep; 16 Sep; 30 Sep; 14 Oct; 28 Oct; 11 Nov; 25 Nov; 09 Dec; 23 Dec

Costs:

  • 4 weeks – £3,795.00
  • 5 weeks – £4,145.00
  • 6 weeks – £4,595.00
  • 7 weeks – £4,995.00
  • 8 weeks – £5,395.00
  • 9 weeks – £5,745.00
  • 10 weeks – £6,145.00
  • 11 weeks – £6,545.00
  • 12 weeks – £6,895.00

Career and Research Internships have an additional cost. Please register your interest below for more information.

What’s Included

  • 24-hour emergency desk
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • All project equipment
  • Food (except on long-term internship placements)
  • Safe and basic accommodation (usually shared)
  • Group introductory call
  • Welcome presentation
  • Endorsed Specialisation Course
  • Endorsed Leadership Course
  • Sustainable project work
  • Leadership responsibilities
  • Program training
  • Remote Internship Supervisor
  • Preferential recruitment on our partner’s positions
  • Job portal access
  • Endorsed Careers Course
  • Career coaching sessions
  • PDF reference – upon request

What’s Not Included

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • COVID-19: Health and Hygiene Fee
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Police or background check
  • Visa costs

Panoramic photo of a sandy beach and blue sea, with another island on the horizon

Register your interest!

Reserve your place or ask a question