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Overseas Expeditions

Overseas Expeditions Launchpad Australia and our partners Global Vision International (GVI) bring you some awesome overseas expeditions supporting critical conservation and humanitarian projects around the world via international charities, non profit orgs and governmental agencies. If you want to spend your gap break contributing to worthwhile projects, as a member of an ongoing international research team, and making a difference, then our overseas expeditions can provide all this and more. Live in some of the most dramatic and remote locations on earth, gain practical field experience: participating in an Overseas Expedition is also a great addition to your CV.
These are not for the faint hearted or those wanting a holiday! These are fantastic opportunities to contribute to ongoing overseas projects where each team member’s participation and contribution is vital. Thus a mature outlook is essential to gain the most out of the experience. You’ll find an online application to complete, and a GVI team member will contact you directly to discuss. So what are you waiting for?! Choose your Adventure: Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa Teaching and Community Development Expedition in Thailand Research and Exploration Expedition in Patagonia Rainforest Conservation and Community Development Expedition in Ecuador Coastal Rainforest and Wildlife Expedition in Costa Rica Wildlife Research Marine Mammal Studies and Community Development Expedition in Kenya Turtle Conservation on the Greek Island of Zakynthos Volunteer on Mediterranean Monk Seal Conservation in Turkey Volunteer with Turtles in Vanuatu Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa GVI runs wildlife research expeditions on the Karongwe Game Reserve and Venetia Limpopo Nature reserve, both in the Limpopo province. Working in conjunction with local partners such as the Karongwe Ecological Research Institute since June 2000. Expedition Members participate in wildlife monitoring projects assisting with the research on predator/prey interactions by radio tracking. Each five week phase also includes one week spent working in a smaller satellite camps on conservation and biodiversity studies in mountain habitats in the vicinity of the expedition base. This GVI wildlife research expedition is a great opportunity to learn about conservation, enjoy excellent African wildlife viewing and be a part of a comprehensive training program while contributing towards the long term conservation of African wildlife. Expedition Aims *For Karongwe and Venetia Expeditions:* To determine the impact of reintroduced mammals on game reserves and to help with their management and conservation. Research of this kind will play an important part in the management of future conservation areas. To investigate the impact of predators on the prey species for more effective conservation and management of these valuable resources. To establish and monitor the density of large predators within the reserve. To record prey selection and kill frequencies and the impact on prey populations. To monitor movement patterns, territories and competition between predators on the reserve. To investigate the reserves prey populations, distribution and density and how this relates to the predators movements and territories. *For the Mountain Satellite Camp Expedition:* To set up and run a biodiversity study, to compile a comprehensive species inventory of this highly important and fragile area, which is soon to become a national park. To encourage community involvement and skills exchange with local guides. Expedition Life It is important for expedition members to keep in mind that the expedition has specific long term aims in conjunction with its partner organisations which they will contribute to by collecting and analysing data and taking part in community projects. All expedition members must be team players and assist each other and the staff in daily tasks. The first week will incorporate the bulk of the training, although it will continue throughout the expedition. Training is continuous and includes a rigorous and comprehensive training program, encompassing both lectures and field practicals. The idea is to provide a baseline and holistic understanding of all aspects of the bush, on which to build throughout your stay. Subjects included in the training are conservation, reserve management, bird / mammal / reptile identification, tracking, tree identification, geology, ecology, basic first aid. You will also be asked to participate in the training by preparing presentations to the rest of the team on various topics and a personal or team project that is worked upon throughout the expedition. After the training, the group will then divide into 3 teams and rotate though the various activities to give more variety and training in different fields and locations. During your 5 week stay your team will get the opportunity of heading up into the mountains for 5 days to take part in a new a conservation and biodiversity project in the indigenous rainforest. This will give you the opportunity to experience and learn what the area has to offer in its diversity of habitats, fauna and flora. Back at the base the two remaining teams will be carrying out the predator research while two team members will stay in camp per day to carry out camp duties, which again will rotate. Camp duties include cleaning and camp chores as well as data input and personal projects. This approach gives individuals time to themselves and a chance to rest. H Hours will be long but productive, with days beginning at 5-6:00 each morning until 11:00 AM, with time for rest in the heat of the day. Activities will then re-commence at 3.30 PM and last until 7-8:00 PM. These times are subject to change depending on each day’s activities, and may also include night watches. The main animals focused on are: big cats (lions, leopards, cheetah), hyena and elephants. These Expeditions Provide: A chance to live on a game reserve in the heart of the African bush, where you can be woken by a dawn chorus and sent to sleep by the roar of lions! Increase your personal knowledge of the South African environment, its importance, the threats to it, and help to increase both local and global knowledge and awareness. Develop a baseline and holistic understanding of all aspects of the bush. Undergo training to carry out extensive radio tracking and monitoring of all collared predators on the reserve. Learn a variety of new skills including mammal and bird identification, tracking, ecology and bush 1st aid. Participate in educational days with the local communities, teaching schoolchildren the importance of conservation. Have a chance to enjoy the surrounding areas and activities including visits to local reptile parks and animal sanctuaries, and mountain trails. Get to know animals on the reserve individually, and follow their progress / monitor their behaviour. Witness nature in its simplest form – a chance to watch a lion kill, a newborn cheetah cub or a stand off between two elephants. You never know what you will find around the next corner! Help develop a biodiversity research program in montane environments. This may include conducting pit fall line collections for small mammals, recording and identifying forest bird calls or conduct mammal walks to identify the larger mammal species of the area such as bushbuck, red duiker, samango monkeys and bushpigs. Work alongside dedicated conservationists and like-minded group members. Side Trips: Research is a priority on this expedition, but it is understood that a break is needed both to explore the area and as a change of scenery. The 5 day mountain phase will allow you to have a break from the heat in the summer and have a well earned change of scene and focus. Other excursions will be arranged during the training week- trips to various local attractions. Those expedition members staying for the full 10 weeks have an option to explore the area between expeditions. Participant Contribution: $AU3670 for 5 week expedition $AU5970 for 10 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pre-departure support and services Airport pick up and transfer to base Food and accommodation Training materials and science equipment Telemetry tracking equipment National Park fees and permits Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques Emergency First Aid course 24 hour in country support 24 hour emergency phone line Free Careers Abroad field work placement and job vacancy service for ALL former Expedition Members (successful placements depend upon aptitude and attitude). APPLY NOW! Teaching and Community Development Expedition in Thailand Overview The Program is based in the Phang Nga province in the Kingdom of Thailand, located upon a peninsula in the Andaman Sea, 800 kms from Bangkok. It’s a province blessed with natural marine and terrestrial resources, numerous national parks and magnificent scenery with a fantastic range of attractions. The region is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, wildlife, white sand beaches, natural limestone towers rising up from the sea, culture and history. Participants are immediately immersed in teaching English classes in the community in conjunction with their TEFL training, and have opportunity to gain teaching experience throughout the program, to become qualified teachers by the end of the 5 week stay. The priority projects requested by the communities of the region are English language teaching, but program participants also assist with additional cultural and environmental activities, spending time working on local and tourist environmental awareness, cultural awareness and assisting sustainable development and local capacity building initiatives, all in and around the region’s breathtaking natural beauty, temples, and ancient ruins of past kingdoms. Sign up now for our advance expedition in July 2007. A fantastic opportunity for self-motivated individuals to take responsibility and make a real difference. An advance expedition is the first expedition to a new country, where on-ground logistics and relationships with communities are still in their early stages. We are looking for volunteers with the desire to make things happen. Advance expedition members will work with our experienced staff to establish grass-roots networks laying the foundations for the long-term success of the program. This is a rare opportunity which GVI offers only on start-up expeditions. Some of our most successful expeditions have been our first ones, the sense of adventure is greater and initial challenges bring the group together. Often advance expedition members develop into trusted GVI interns and staff. GVI offers a job placement service to all GVI TEFL graduates, assisting them in finding placements in local communities around the world or paid positions in the TEFL Industry. GVI will supply information on a range of present placements with remote communities and paid vacancies in the TEFL Industry around the world, and with additional information on where to look for placements and jobs independently. GVI TEFL Graduates are also assisted with CVs and applications. A full report detailing the GVI TEFL components plus confidential character and / or professional references will be supplied for those interested in pursuing a TEFL or environmental education career path. GVI is listed as an Institutional Member of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) and is a Member the College of Teachers (CoT). Expedition Aims The Phang Nga province of Thailand suffered immensely due to the Tsunami which struck late in 2004. Many of the people who died were from the coastal communities where English language was popular due to tourism. The loss of these people meant a huge loss of skills, knowledge and experience, including much knowledge of the English Language. This has created a great demand from local communities for English language lessons, so the communities can regain those skills and receive maximum benefit from the tourism which was lost along with many of their community members. GVI works in partnership with local communities and local organisations to help communities conserve their culture and their natural resources, which are increasingly under pressure, assisting them with achieving sustainable incomes whilst protecting their natural resources. In Phang Nga, GVI supports the effort of its local partners to increase the long term benefits of tourism to the local population by: Supplying free communicative English language lessons to the local communities. Training local teachers in English language teaching. Supplying free English language lessons to local partner staff, guides, rangers and researchers. Supporting Thai culture and the efforts of organisations and communities to preserve it. Supporting community environmental awareness. Supporting tourist environmental and cultural awareness. Increasing the capacity of the local community to benefit in the long term from the tourism coming into their area in a sustainable manner. Expedition Life The day always starts early, particularly if you are on the rotational on kitchen duty. Breakfast normally consists of pancakes or porridge. Expedition Members will work upon lesson plans or prepare their activity, ensuring they are organized for the day's work, and then make their way to the community centre and other places of work. The contents of the lessons and the presentation techniques to be used are the responsibility of the Expedition Members, and one of the big opportunities of this expedition is to rise to that challenge and become creative. On the Job Teaching Experience: Participants have the opportunity to continue their teaching after the course by sharing the teaching of GVI English classes in the main community or other communities for a further 4 weeks worth of lessons to local students. This is more easily accomplished by volunteers who come on the 10-week expedition. Additionally, 2 course graduates are awarded internship positions on the subsequent expedition, including additional time teaching in the community and supporting current participants. During the first two weeks you will receive intensive training to develop the skills needed to become a teacher of English as a foreign language (TEFL), as well as developing your language skills within the local communities. A unique aspect to this program is that TEFL course participants teach students who are involved in an existing English curriculum made possible by the GVI TEFL courses themselves. The TEFL course enables adults in the community to take 4-week English classes, and students can progress through levels after formal evaluations which take place at the end of each 4-week class. GVI offers a job placement service to all GVI TEFL graduates, assisting them in finding placements in local communities around the world or paid positions in the TEFL Industry. The Expedition offers numerous incredibly exciting opportunities to Expedition Members. Unique Thai cultural adventure. Immerse yourself in a traditional Thai community within a truly tropical paradise, living and working alongside local people, experiencing their culture, food and way of life. Take the opportunity to learn some Thai Language, in case you decide to travel on or use your new skills to work within Thailand. Become immediately immersed in English language classes and gain a TEFL. Design and plan your own English language lessons, taking responsible for the course content and the presentation techniques you decide to use. Take classes teaching English Language in the local schools and community. Certifications and celebration with local language students. Assist in both the child and adult environmental education and awareness programs, visiting and teaching within the local schools, hotels, the expedition base and the open environment. Assist in the development of a local community centre. Take optional locally taught Thai language lessons prior to the expedition. Relax and party with your new found friends at the well deserved weekly fiesta! Trip to stunning ruins and temples with local guide. Go to the Kapong Hot springs. Visit the limestone caves with their amazing array of stalactites and stalagmites. Visit the one or more stunning waterfalls of the region, Nam Tok Tone Prai , Nam Tok Lampi , Hin Lahd Waterfall or Lamroo. Visit prime - turtle nesting beaches. An included boat trip around Phang Nga Bay, viewing the impressive islands of towering limestone. Its waters remain calm year-round, which adds to the appeal of its scenic wonders and abundant wildlife. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, enjoying brief stops at “James Bond Island” and Koh Pannyi, (Sea Gypsy Island), a stilted village, the whole of it built out over water on stilts guarded by a giant rock monolith. We’ll also take in the mangrove forests and swamps, cut by winding channels and waterways. The leisurely day trip cruising through the dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches, is far more rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour. Post expedition teacher and environmental placements and job opportunities globally. Participant Contribution: $AU3335 for 5 week expedition $AU4485 for 10 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pre-departure support and services Airport pick up and transfer to base Food and accommodation Training and materials necessary for expedition activities Basic Thai lessons Comprehensive TEFL training and certification Boat trip around Phang Nga Bay and visit to 'James Bond island' Visits to hot springs, caves, waterfalls and turtle nesting beaches First Aid training course 24 hour in country support 24 hour emergency phone line Free Careers Abroad field work placement and job vacancy service for ALL former Expedition Members (successful placements depend upon aptitude and attitude. APPLY NOW!
Research and Exploration Expedition in Patagonia This Patagonian expedition takes you on an amazxing mountain adventure whilst helping vital conservation projects. In small research groups, expedition members conduct rugged surveys in a remote part of the world that few people ever get to see. Expedition participants must be prepared for a challenge as the expedition contains some arduous trekking through the variety of extreme climates and landscapes found in the heart of dramatic Patagonia. The conservation surveys vary from season to season and with the needs of our partners, but all include trekking and data collection in the Andes and the transition zone towards the steppe regions of Argentine Patagonia. Expedition Aims The data expedition members collect in the wilderness of Patagonia helps our local partners with their projects. It adds valuable information to their knowledge about the different ecosystems in which they work and supports the conservation of the fragile habitat and its wildlife. Alongside National Park Rangers, Scientists and PhD Students, we provide the manpower necessary to collect data throughout the year. This is done within National Park areas that have the most restricted access, as well as some more populated areas in the region. Field Conditions: Accommodation throughout the expedition will be in basic, three-man shared tents. Water is collected from streams nearby and there is very limited electricity. Toilet facilities are long drops or 'cat holes'. The food will be simple but pays close attention to nutritional needs, ensuring you can work in the conditions of the different seasons. Participant Contribution: $AU3440 for 5 week expedition $AU5740 for 10 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pre-departure support and services Food and accommodation during the expedition Training materials and science equipment Comprehensive training for research projects Wilderness navigation training Basic emergency Spanish tuition first Aid training based in the wilderness 24-hour in-country support 24-hour emergency phone line Free Careers Abroad fieldwork placement Job vacancy service is available for ALL former expedition members (successful placement depend upon aptitude and attitude) APPLY NOW! Rainforest Conservation and Community Development Expedition in Ecuador Overview The Amazon rainforest is home to 30% of all known plant and animal species making it one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. The region is populated by a variety of indigenous cultures and settlers who make their living in this seemingly inhospitable terrain. GVI’s Amazon expedition is set in the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest and provides participants with a unique, first-hand experience of this extraordinary environment and its inhabitants. GVI has partnered with the Ecuadorian Foundation for Integrated Education and Development (FUNEDESIN) which has extensive experience in Amazonian community development. FUNEDESIN recently established an innovative education centre for students from local, largely agricultural, and often poor communities. Expedition members work alongside students and teachers and receive on-site training to carry out a variety of projects involving scientific investigation and education. Field research identifies new and existing species - as many as 23,000 in an area measuring only 2.5 square hectares- creating global interest in rainforest conservation, and supports the establishment of a nature reserve for long-term protection. Practical education in conservation, ecotourism and sustainable agriculture seeks to alleviate poverty by raising environmental awareness, providing alternatives to destructive industrial practices and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. Expedition Aims Some 50% of Ecuador’s tropical rainforests have been lost to destructive industrial practices including oil and gas drilling, mining, farming and forestry. Environmental degradation, poverty and disease, coupled with the poor quality of public education, are inextricably linked. To address these issues, GVI’s expedition works towards achieving the following aims: Establishing a permanent, full-time biological field station at Yachana to conduct scientific research and generate national and international conservation interest. Identifying and cataloguing local bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian and plant species. Supporting the creation of a legally-designated rainforest reserve. Providing project support in the areas of conservation, eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture. Facilitating learning of English as a Foreign Language through TEFL projects including classroom teaching and informal conversation practice. Supporting small-scale infrastructure development projects. Facilitating cultural exchange between expedition members and students. Establishing relationships with leading scientific and development agencies and universities nationally and internationally. Expedition Life You will spend the majority of your time on the various scientific research projects, collecting and collating scientific data. You will also be involved in working directly with students and teachers on education (environmental and teaching English) and construction projects. The initial couple of weeks can be difficult as you adapt to the change in environment and learn the different skills needed to do research. Data will start to be used after the initial period to ensure that we are getting a correct representation of species. The expedition is in a remote location and so you will participate in first aid training and team-building activities. This training information must be thoroughly understood as the environment is challenging. It must be stressed that expedition members will not have the opportunity to be alone at any time in the forest as it is a harsh environment in which you can get lost very easily. You will be prepared thoroughly for any eventuality and be tested on your skills on a continuous basis. The days are full, rising at first light to take advantage of the early wildlife activity, working throughout the day and sometimes participating in night walks. We hope to incorporate several mini-expeditions, involving for example hiking through the forest to a satellite camp location where we will camp for a night or two. Be warned that you will get very hot and sweaty during the days activities so ensure you come prepared! These Expeditions Provide: Live in a remote and beautiful part of the tropics, surrounded by pristine rainforest which is inhabited by stunning wildlife. Live and work with members from various indigenous and colonist communities, learning about the diversity of the rainforest and the culture of the people who have lived there for hundreds of years. Learn about living on a remote expedition (no electricity or running water) and the methods used to conduct a biodiversity research program in a lowland rainforest environment. These will include humane small mammal trapping and release, bat netting, mist netting for birds, recording bird song for identification, amphibian and reptile surveys and mammal walks to identify the larger mammal species of the area. Learn Spanish in a fun and natural way by preparing food for the whole group or spotting monkeys in the forest. Canoe down remote jungle waterways, camping in the forest away from base camp (satellite camps) and catch your own dinner! Teach English and work with students on environmental education issues. Experience the jungle and the river under the stars, spotting caiman and turtles as well as other nocturnal species; an experience you won't forget. Relax back at camp, getting your volleyball skills up to scratch and chilling out in hammocks hung from trees and shelters. Enjoy a well deserved rest and self made entertainment on Saturday nights! Participant Contribution: $AU3095 for 5 week expedition $AU5165 for 10 week expedition Particpant Contribution Includes: Pre-departure support and services Airport pick up and transfer to base Food and accommodation Training materials and science equipment Basic Spanish tuition Introduction to TEFL training Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques Overnight satellite camps in the forest to explore the reserve Four-day Amazonian adventure exploration side trip Bush craft and survival skills Emergency First Aid course 24 hour in country support 24 hour emergency phone line Free Careers Abroad field work placement and job vacancy service for ALL former Expedition Members (successful placements depend upon aptitude and attitude) APPLY NOW! Coastal Rainforest and Wildlife Expedition in Costa Rica Overview This adventurous expedition offers individuals the opportunity to explore, live and work in the most remote region of Costa Rican rainforest on the Caribbean Coast. The main projects are based upon turtle research, Jaguar research, mammal camera traps, bird monitoring, exploration of the National Park and Wildlife Refuge, environmental assessments, environmental education and a short ‘Introduction to TEFL’. Some of the research projects take place a long distance from base and so expedition members have the opportunity to camp out in groups away from the base and to explore the regions forests and beaches. In addition, GVI arranges an included scenic white water rafting trip on Costa Rica’s most spectacular rapids, as well as a Canopy tour in the treetops of the Tortuguero rainforest, as a thank you for all your hard work through the expedition. Expedition members are based at a biological field station surrounded by tropical rainforest with regular sightings of Howler and Spider monkeys from the dinner table, and sits on a forest waterway, a short canoe paddle from the beach. There is no road access to the region and so all transportation is via kayak, canoe and motor canoes, through the stunning canals and rivers, surrounded by tropical rainforest and its associated wildlife. A brief but intensive training period prepares expedition members for a variety of exciting and adventurous conservation projects. GVI's work is carried out on behalf of and in conjunction with local, national and international partners. In addition to COTERC (Canadian Organisation for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation), with whom the station is shared, GVI is working the Costa Rican National Parks (MINAE) to develop and sustain long term conservation of the Tortuguero area. The expedition plays a vital role in the development and management of long term wildlife conservation in the National Park and wildlife refuge and in community education programs in the area. Expedition Aims This expedition focuses on research projects, conservation programs and community development in the Tortuguero region. On behalf of and in conjunction with the Costa Rican National Parks, (MINAE), GVI is currently supplying trained volunteers, long term paid experienced staff, equipment and direct funding to the following long term projects: Jaguar predation of marine turtles research Jaguar abundance research including mammal camera traps Marine turtle nesting and hatchling success research (seasonal) Environmental Assessments within Tortuguero National Park Resident and migratory bird research Local capacity building - TEFL based language teaching to local adults and children Community and tourist environmental education and sustainable development initiatives National Scholarship Program. The biological station houses both COTERC and GVI in a beautiful environment surrounded by primary and secondary forest and situated by a small canal/waterway. A range of wildlife is visible daily, from toucans to monkeys to caiman and much more from this small open area within the closed forest. Accommodation is pleasant and shared in a big dorm, with a separate kitchen building, library/study building, showers and laundry facilities, and a rancho (local type of roofed, open hut) for relaxation. There is electricity and running water (cold) on base, a telephone for station and emergency use only and a radio for communication whilst in the field. You sleep with sounds of the frogs and amazing cicadas and wake in the morning with the haunting call of the howler monkeys, the loudest land mammal. Directly across the canal lies a local tourist lodge which offers access to the beach and a bar which is occasionally open, plus a path leading to the nearest small village of San Francisco . All food is cooked and cleaning is done by the expedition team on a rotational basis. The food is basic, with a lot of the traditional rice and beans, the national dish of Costa Rica , Gallo pinto, but meat and fish is supplied twice a week, and most people go to town to buy a pizza on the weekends! Supply trips and weekly visits in boat to the village of Tortuguero offer access to all basic amenities as well as the National Park. Luxurious tourist lodges are scattered up and down the river near Tortuguero and you see tourist boats and start to know the guides that use river, the Caño Palma canal and National Park for wildlife watching. Expedition Life You will spend the majority of your time on the expedition conducting exciting research projects, and collecting the data. Time will also be spent collating date, preparing, assisting in community programmes and giving English lessons to community members. All members of the expedition are also required to be involved with the running of the biological research station which includes cooking (bring your favorite herbs and recipes!), maintainence and cleaning. 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. The expedition is in a remote location, although not isolated, 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 get to know the area and different study sites. These training courses are crucial as the environment has its hazards. You will be prepared thoroughly for any eventuality and be tested on your skills 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. Participate in Jaguar research, looking for their signs and sometimes the elusive animals themselves, along remote regions and beaches, and help out with the camera trapping. Not many people have ever seen a Jaguar in the wild, GVI volunteers have, though only a very lucky handful of them Enjoy the included, exhilarating white water rafting trip through beautiful rainforest and the most scenic gorges on Costa Rica 's longest rapids Live and work on a biological research station surrounded by pristine primary rainforest and waterways and inhabited by stunning wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, otters, caiman, toucans, macaws, hawks, vultures and many more Learn about medicinal plant uses and ethno-botany - stop the bites itching by chewing leaves and apply your own natural remedy Zip-line and walk through the canopy tour of the Tortuguero rainforest and spot monkeys, toucans and iguanas Work alongside local people on their behalf, learning from them and adding your resources to theirs, experiencing their culture and way of life in the stunning surroundings of the Wildlife Refuge and National Park Learn a range of surveying techniques for biodiversity research and put those skills to good use in the field, conducting biological surveys in BOTH coastal and rainforest environments. This will include key species identification of birds, reptiles and mammals including several monkey species, turtle nesting and hatchling surveys and point counts and area searches for birds See prime turtle nesting beaches for Green and Leatherback turtles, watching them lay their eggs and return to the sea, and the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the sea Canoe down tranquil jungle waterways, conducting environmental assessments and taking in the sounds, smells and amazing diversity of plants and trees of the dense jungle on either side of the waterways, spotting monkeys, otters, toucans, caiman, turtles on the canals of the National Park Climb the Cerro Tortuguero; a short but testing jungle trail leads to the top of the only high point in the area, giving a fabulous view of the beach, Tortuguero, the vast tropical rainforest and waterways Experience the jungle and the river under the stars, spotting caiman and turtles as well as other nocturnal species; an experience you won`t forget Teach English to community adults and children in a fun and engaging way * Assist with environmental education and sustainable development initiatives with the local community Share recipes from home and learn to cook for a large group of people Visit beautiful Costa Rica and learn about Tico traditions. Enjoy conversations with like-minded people from different countries and backgrounds Relax at the research station, getting your volleyball skills up to scratch and chilling out in hammocks Paddle the canoe across the canal to the local bar at night… and paddle back with the stars guiding you home Enjoy a well deserved rest and party on Saturday nights! Participant Contribution: $AU3325 for 5 week expedition $AU5395 for 10 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pre-departure support and services Airport pick up and transfer to base Food and accommodation Training materials and science equipment Introduction to TEFL training and certification Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques Emergency First Aid course Two to three day satellite camps to explore parts of the National Park, wildlife refuge and turtle beaches White water rafting trip Zip-line and canopy tour 24 hour in country support 24 hour emergency phone line Free Careers Abroad field work placement and job vacancy service for ALL former Expedition Members (successful placements depend upon aptitude and attitude) APPLY NOW!
Wildlife Research Marine Mammal Studies and Community Development Expedition in Kenya Overview Volunteer as a member of a research expedition team for a minimum of five weeks and experience dolphins, primates and big game. The expedition looks at the biodiversity of the immediate region in Shimoni Archipelago, off the coast of the mainland Kenyan border with Tanzania – a unique opportunity to combine marine, forest and national park research. The expedition is based on Wasini Island, part of the Shimoni Archipelago, and due to the diverse nature of the work expedition members also get to explore the mainland village and forest of Shimoni, and the savannah further inland. The focus is on four main elements: marine mammal research from survey vessels and land (specifically dolphins but including seasonal Humpback Whales,) primate research in the rare forest nearby, big game research in the National Parks of Kenya such as the world famour Tsavo National Park, and community development projects including English and sustainable tourism programs. GVI assists local partners to promote this local framework as the basis for a larger conservation-research initiative in tropical coastal waters and terrestrial areas of Pemba Channel and the Tanzania/Kenya transboundary. The expedition is run in partnership with the Kenyan Wildlife Service and other local partners. Expedition Aims GVI assists local partners, including the Kenyan Wildlife Service, by supplying trained manpower, long-term experienced staff, training and equipment for the following projects: Marine mammal research recording bottlenose dolphins, Indian Ocean Humpback dolphins, Spinner dolphins and larger cetacean such as Humpback whales Marine mega-fauna research, including turtles, whalesharks, and manta rays (seasonal) Big game and community projects in National Parks eg. elephant relocation Rare coral rag forest exploration and primate surveys including Angolan Black and White monkeys Teaching English to children and adults Environmental education Community infrastructure and sustainable development. Expedition Life Expedition members must understand that the expedition has specific long term aims in conjunction with its partner organisations which they will contribute to by collecting and analysing data and taking part in community projects. All expedition members must be team players and assist each other and the staff in daily tasks. The expedition will provide a very wide range of opportunities, incorporating terrestrial, marine and community projects. Immerse yourself in a truly remote tropical paradise, living and working alongside local people and fishermen, experiencing their culture, food and way of life Take advantage of the incredible opportunity to explore and experience remote tropical regions, island life, coastal and mainland Africa within a 5, 10 or 15 week period Learn a variety of both marine and terrestrial survey skills within the tropical environment, including marine mammal, primate and big game studies Spend the day on the research boast on the warm, crystal-clear waters in one of the most spectacular examples of a tropical marine environment in the world and see turtles, dolphins, whales, manta rays or whale sharks up close in their natural environment, depending upon the season and your luck Experience lowland tropical coastal forests and enjoy the magical variations of the colourful bird life Spend your day studying the Angolan Black and White Colobus Monkey Visit prime breeding areas for turtles Explore inland Africa, camping in and around National Parks and working on wildlife and community conflict projects, such as elephant relocation Assist in teaching English to children and adults, learning skills from GVI’s TEFL course designed especially for teaching conversational English for tourism * Assist in environmental education and awareness programmes, visiting and teaching in local schools, hotels, and in and around the expedition base Take optional locally taught Swahili language and cooking lessons. Immerse yourself in the Swahili culture of the area, their food, clothing, legends and knowledge. Relax and party with your new found friends at the well deserved Saturday Night Fiesta in Diani! Side Trips / Other Opportunities: Based on the Kenya Tanzania border, you are close to some of the best known national parks in East Africa, including Tsavo, Serengeti, Masai Mara and Ngorongoro. Visiting these parks is a once in a lifetime experience and we recommend that you spend a bit of time exploring before or after your project if you have the time. There will also be some opportunities during the project for you to go on excursions. The Island of Zanzibar is part of Pemba’s Archipelago, and is a 30 minute flight away, offering an excellent cultural insight into the coastal Swahili culture. On Pemba and around Shimoni scuba diving is world class, and PADI courses can be taken at good rates. Bird watching is excellent. Visits to the East African coastal town of Mombasa are easily organized from the base. There are also numerous local attractions and activities available in the area, including safaris. However, for most, simply visiting the areas of great natural beauty is more than enough. Participant Contribution: $AU3625 for 5 week expedition $AU5950 for 10 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pre-departure support and services Airport pick up and transfer to base Food and accommodation Training materials and science equipment Satellite camps, including one week on a big game project 3-day safari Introduction to TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques First Aid training course 24 hour in country support 24 hour emergency phone line in the UK Free Careers Abroad field work placement and job vacancy service for ALL former Expedition Members (successful placements depend upon aptitude and attitude) APPLY NOW!
Turtle Conservation on the Greek Island of Zakynthos Overview Zakynthos, also known as Zante and Fiore de Levante (Flower of the East) is a beautiful, mountainous Ionian island with 110 km of rocky coastline and turquoise seas. One of the sunniest yet most verdant of the Greek islands, home to 6,000 species of flowers (as opposed to 2,300 in the British Isles), it acts as a stopping off place for migratory birds and harbours 80% of the Mediterranean’s Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle nests. GVI’s NGO partners work alongside the National Marine Park on the protection of a small corner of this island from over-development. Volunteers help by patrolling beaches, providing tourists with information on turtles and other environmental issues, saving any injured animals, and conducting beach and forest cleans. Our aim is to show how conservation and sustainable tourism can work together benefiting visitors, locals and wildlife alike. A new project raising money to build a Sea Life rehabilitation centre on the island has recently started so volunteers will also be involved in fundraising and promoting this incredibly important work across Europe. Expedition Aims The main aim of the project is to protect the local flora and fauna, principally the Caretta caretta, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and to promote sustainable tourism. The Sea Turtle & Wildlife Information Centre was built in 1996 - the only one on the island - to encourage visitors to take a closer look at the rich heritage, natural beauty, wildlife and culture of Zakynthos, and to promote this need for sustainable tourism. This is one of the beaches from where the volunteers operate providing important information to the many people who visit the nesting beaches each year, as well as doing research and monitoring work with the turtles and providing first aid should any of the creatures need it. During the summer months volunteers will do between 8 and 12 hours per day. This is either split into 3 or 4 hour shifts depending on the time of the season and the number of volunteers available. Monitoring work includes early beach surveys (6am-8am roughly), night surveys (11pm -3:30am late May until early August). Night surveys are very sensitive night patrols to find nesting females to give them identity tags and take measurements. Nest excavations (half an hour per nest from August until October) involve digging up very old eggs to break them open and investigate hatching success. As well as all this the team will help with the fundraising for the Rehabilitation Centre and all sorts of ideas are being planned to push this forward, travelling around the island promoting the project, educating local children and gaining local support by promoting it as a year round attraction. Volunteers get free day for every 10 worked. They are expected to work amongst themselves to keep the apartments clean and do cooking duties if food isn’t being cooked for them that day. Field Conditions The accommodation will be in comfortable self-catering flats or house, with shared bedrooms. Internet access is available at the Wildlife Tourist Information centre and transport is available to get into town. Food will be a mixture of self-catering and locally cooked with the occasional barbeque party thrown in and volunteers will manage their own catering budget between themselves. Despite the popularity of the south of the island the area you will be in is blissfully peaceful. Participant Contribution: $AU1955 for 2 week expedition $AU2615 for 4 week expedition $AU3430 for 6 week expedition $AU4270 for 8 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pick up from the airport Welcome and orientation session Food and accommodation Weekend trip away In country coordinators – for every country where GVI operates 24 hour emergency phone line Fully comprehensive on-site training, often including language classes All training materials APPLY NOW!
Volunteer on Mediterranean Monk Seal Conservation - Turkey Overview Immerse yourself in the life and work of a small team of marine biologists who are researching a marine protected area, (MPA), and working on the monk seal conservation project. The MPA, which is rich in biological diversity, is located on the south coast of Turkey. It includes the area where one of the most endangered species in the world “Monachus monachus” – the Mediterranean Monk Seal - inhabits. The project has two components; first is to learn more about this precious ecosystem and the Mediterranean Monk Seal; and second to implement conservation measures to protect this habitat. Expedition Aims Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to get involved in this pioneering conservation study in Turkey to protect the 300 remaining seals worldwide. By joining the project, you will have the exceptional opportunity to share a magnificent habitat with its last remaining marine inhabitants, whilst learning extensive field skills to study their ecology and behaviour. Apart from species conservation work volunteers will also be involved in the monitoring of the MPA’s recovery, collection of empirical data to support scientific research and monitoring the invasion of the exotic species from the Red Sea and the effects of global warming in a Mediterranean habitat. A new project has also just started involving the formation of a local fishing co-operative who will sell eco friendly fish so there will be a lot of social interaction with the aim of ceasing the practice of dynamite fishing and introducing new fishing methods. Skills Required The successful candidates for the marine conservation project should be able to recognize fish and other marine inhabitants and speak and write English. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed a degree or are currently studying biology, zoology, oceanography, fisheries and other related sciences. They must also have a good level of fitness, be able to swim and cope with living in the field. Field Conditions Whilst in transition between the project sites volunteers will stay at the headquarters, sharing a room with one of the staff members. Hot water and electricity are available 24 hours a day, plus cable TV and internet. Volunteers do their own cooking in the fully equipped public kitchen, which all of the students living in the campus share. There is also a washing machine and 3 refrigerators within the kitchen for communal use. During project cruises on the research vessel, electricity is available most of the time. There are no hot water or laundry facilities on the vessel but, depending on the project location, you will be put up in local small family-run hotels and pensions. Cooking is done in a small kitchen on board. There are 3 small cabins - each one sleeps 2. In the summer, volunteers may sleep on the deck in sleeping bags. During seal observation expeditions, you may have to overnight in the wild in tents with tinned food and no electricity. Accommodation with water and electricity will be provided for in the village of Meydan. Participant Contribution: $AU2385 for 4 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pick up from the airport Welcome and orientation session Food and accommodation Day Trip Transport to and from the project (volunteers are expected to cover their costs to get to Mersin the day prior to their start date) In-country coordinators - for every country where GVI operates 24 hour emergency phone line Fully comprehensive on-site training APPLY NOW!
Volunteer with Turtles in Vanuatu Overview Help to establish a rural community based sea turtle nest survey and protection program on Moso Island, Vanuatu. Vanuatu, voted the 'happiest place on earth’ in 2006, is a Melanesian island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago of 83 islands is located some 1,750 km east of Australia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands. Volunteers will be have the opportunity to explore the beaches of Moso and snorkel or dive in crystal clear waters. If you have the time, and a sense of adventure, you can climb volcanoes, explore the rainforests or witness something truly spectacular, like the Pentecost Land Dive (the world’s first bungee jump.) before you finish your visit to Vanuatu. One community involved in this effort to conserve the turtles is Tasiriki Village. Located on the shores of Moso Island Tasiriki is home to a nationally significant nesting beach and foraging grounds for Hawksbill turtles. The people of Tasiriki have realised the importance of their turtle populations and are interested in learning more about the turtles they co-exist with and ensuring they are still there for future generations. Expedition Aims As a volunteer with this project you will have the opportunity to work side by side with community members as they conserve their turtle population and conduct a long-term nesting survey that they started in conjunction with Wan Smolbag and GVI in November 2006. Please keep in mind that this is a community based survey and conservation effort rather than a research institute run project. So while the science may run a bit on the low-tech side the pride the community members have in their project is off the charts. In addition to helping with the nesting survey you will also get the chance to try your hand at many other activities that occur in the village (e.g. reef surveys, teaching at the village school, collecting and cooking local food, paddling a dugout canoe, etc.). And in your spare time you might get a chance to snorkel on tropical reefs, learn to dive, or just sit and ‘storian’ with your new friends in the village. Field Conditions Participants will be staying in two dormitory style (4 beds in each) ‘bush bungalows’ that have been built for the volunteers by the Tasiriki community. Volunteers will share one bucket flush toilet and two bucket shower huts. Amenities will be sparse, but the basics are there. At the bungalows drinking water will be provided by a rainwater collection tank and a nearby freshwater spring will provide refreshing cold water that is used for bucket showering. Volunteers will be eating local food prepared by members of the community. Vegetarians are welcome but please notify us ahead of time. There is generator powered electricity in the village for a few hours each night. Participant Contribution: $AU2670 for 4 week expedition $AU3590 for 8 week expedition $AU4495 for 12 week expedition Participant Contribution Includes: Pick up from the airport Welcome and orientation session Food and accommodation Transport to and from the project In-country coordinators - for every country where GVI operates 24 hour emergency phone line Fully comprehensive on-site training APPLY NOW! Medicine Abroad Projects Abroad Medicine projects are an invaluable preparation for a career in medicine. You will experience the stark contrast between Western medical practice and the realities of medicine in developing countries. Sadly, you will also see medical conditions that have remained untreated and have developed to an advanced pathological stage uncommon in developed countries. The medical program can be tailored for: Elective students Medical students with free holiday time pre-university students Placements are also available for students taking, or planning to take, specialist medical courses such as biomedical science, nursing and physiotherapy. Each placement is tailored, where possible, to a volunteer's level of relevant experience and interests, and to a preferred size and type of hospital or clinic. The key requirements in a medical volunteer are initiative, enthusiasm, and readiness to work in unfamiliar circumstances - a surgery with minimal equipment, an understaffed hospital, a clinic for leprosy or tuberculosis patients for example. Other Areas of Medicine Traditional Medicine Nursing & Midwifery Physiotherapy Dentistry Which Countries Can I Participate in a Medicine Abroad Project? Argentina Bolivia China Ethiopia Ghana Mexico India Moldova Mongolia Nepal Sri Lanka Peru Senegal How Can I Join or Find Out More? Click Here to complete the Online Form, and a Projects Abroad representative will be in contact with you soon! Veterinary Medicine Abroad Whether you are a pre-university student considering a career in veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing, an undergraduate or a graduate - working as a veterinary volunteer you could get involved in vaccinations, operations, laboratory work, post-mortems, meat inspections and the routine treatment of domestic farm animals and pets. Shadowing local vets in practice will give you a real insight into the way they work in developing countries. You may also come into contact with diseases that have been eradicated in the West, and will understand better the problems that vets and farmers are faced with in developing countries and rural areas. If you have an interest in more exotic species, a placement in an animal resue centre in Mexico gives you hands on work with huge variety. This can be undertaken by non-veterinary students as well. Which Countries can I Participate in a Veterinary Medicine Abroad Project? Ghana India Mongolia Romania How Can I Join or Find Out More? Click Here to complete the Online Form, and a Projects Abroad representative will be in contact with you soon! Law and Human Rights Gain Work Experience on a Volunteer Law & Human Rights Internship Abroad Law & Human Rights voluntary work placements with Projects Abroad give you the opportunity to get involved within busy practices working to bring equality under the law to all people in parts of Africa. These placements offer hugely varied challenges which are rewarding and offer fantastic opportunities to develop your career and education. Internships are suitable for: Law Graduates Law Professionals wishing to take a career break Law Students (during vacations) People who have completed a Law Conversion Course Types of Law Covered Criminal, Civil, Property, Human Rights, Legal Aid, Business Which Countries can I Participate in a Law & Human Rights Project? Ghana China South Africa Togo How Can I Join or Find Out More? Click Here to complete the Online Form, and a Projects Abroad representative will be in contact with you soon!

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