Imagine paddling through the warm waters of Fiji’s archipelago, taking stock of the reef’s flora and fauna. Out of the corner of your eye you spy a spot of silver. It’s the near-threatened bubble coral, or Plerogyra Sinuosa, that resides on the Caqalai Island reef. Its gleaming coral polyps are the size of grapes, and in the morning light it’s swollen up to soak in every ray within its reach. Nearby, a humpback snapper whips by, and a crown-of-thorns starfish slowly feeds on the reef. 

When you join a marine conservation internship program, you could spend your days like this – gaining on-the-ground research experience while working on marine conservation project work that adds to the preservation of a host of marine animals from any one of these countries:

• Costa Rica
• Fiji
• Greece
• Mexico
• Seychelles
• Spain
• Thailand

Gaining this type of international experience is one of the best ways to broaden your perspective of the world, and the field of ocean conservation. It also gives you the skills you need to make your start in a career in marine ecology and conservation.

At GVI, we offer three different types of marine conservation internships: 

• Internships
• Professional apprenticeships
• Research fellowships

These options allow you to pick a program that takes into account where you are right now and where you want to be in the future. From deciding which career path you want to follow to gaining work experience or completing a research paper, we have an internship that aligns with wherever you are in your studies or career path.

All of our marine conservation internships contribute to work that’s aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Interns complete project work that factors into long-term conservation goals that are based on the UN’s global objectives and the specific conservation needs of each GVI location.

Marine conservation internships range from 2 to 24 weeks, depending on the program you select. You could join a marine conservation internship in Fiji, where you’ll assist with research in marine protected areas and contribute towards conserving Fiji’s delicate coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Or you could join a marine conservation internship in Mexico. You’ll learn diving and underwater survey techniques, earn your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate, and actively contribute to coral reef conservation on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

We also provide professional dive training on our PADI Divemaster internships, all of which include a PADI segment unique to GVI: the PADI Coral Reef Research Diver Distinctive Speciality. You can become a professional diver while contributing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 14: Life Below Water. 

And like all GVI internships, you’ll have opportunities to delve deeper into your program focus than you would on a volunteering program. Complete a GVI marine conservation internship abroad and gain:

• Access to the marine conservation or diving industry.
• Guidance from expert supervisors with PhD qualifications.
• Four optional online courses endorsed by the University of Richmond.
• A LinkedIn reference, career coaching sessions and access to a job portal.
• Comprehensive fieldwork training.
• Fast-track training and a career guarantee (on selected programs).
• Access to exclusive datasets and research that’s been cited on Google Scholar (on certain programs). 
• The chance to author or co-author a scientific paper (on selected programs).
• Experience in policy-making and conducting research for ocean conservation.
• Improved diving skill and technique, and dive-shop operational experience (on specific diving programs).
• Increased knowledge on the ocean’s various ecosystems.
• One-on-one mentorship from a dedicated remote supervisor.
• Practical experience leading a specific ocean or marine life research-based project.