Conservation Internship Abroad (Voluntary)

The Natucate Conservation Projects offer students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in nature conservation, wildlife research, veterinary medicine and environmental protection — while living and working in some of the world’s most inspiring natural environments.

We help you design a work experience abroad that pushes you beyond the classroom, builds real-world conservation skills and shapes both your professional path and personal growth. Throughout the journey, we support you every step of the way.

Internship & Volunteering Focus Areas

We offer a diverse range of internship and volunteering placements tailored to different academic backgrounds and career goals, including:

• Wildlife Conservation & Protection

• Wildlife Research & Monitoring

• Primate Research

• Veterinary Medicine & Wildlife Health

• Species Conservation

• Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation

• Field Guiding & Nature Interpretation

• Conservation Short Courses & Training Programmes

All placements are aligned with each participant’s individual learning objectives and professional interests.

What You Will Gain

By completing a Natucate Project, you will gain:

• Practical field and research experience

• Insight into real-world conservation challenges

• Professional guidance from experienced practitioners

• International and intercultural competence

• A greater CV for conservation, environmental or academic careers

• Personal growth, resilience and adaptability

• A deeper connection to nature and global conservation efforts

Application & Adaptability

Internships and Volunteering Projeczs are available year-round, with adaptable start dates depending on the project. Duration varies from short-term placements to extended internships.

Each internship is individually tailored to your academic background, interests and career goals. Simply choose your preferred location or focus area and get in touch with the Natucate team to begin the consultation process. We look forward to plan your Conservation Adventure!

Who Should Apply

This internship is ideal for students and early-career individuals who:

• Are studying or have studied fields such as biology, environmental science, veterinary medicine, animal science, geography, ecology or related disciplines

• Have a keen interest in conservation, wildlife, sustainability or environmental protection

• Are motivated, curious and eager to learn in a hands-on environment

• Are open to working in international, intercultural and sometimes remote settings

• Are adaptable, proactive and comfortable outside their comfort zone

• Are seeking meaningful experience aligned with future academic or professional goals

Previous field experience is not always required, as placements are matched based on skill level and learning objectives.

Example Locations

Our conservation internships are available in diverse ecosystems across the globe, including:

• Veterinary Medicine Internship – Malawi

• Nature Conservation Internship - South Africa

• Veterinary Internship - Greece

• Elephant Protection – Zambia

• Whale Shark Conservation – Maldives

• Rainforest Research – Peru

• Species Conservation – Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

…and many more locations across Africa, Europe, the Americas and island ecosystems worldwide.

Note: This is a voluntary, unpaid internship – Participants do not receive a salary. (We work exclusively with registered charitable organisations and conservation NGOs worldwide.)

Instead, interns contribute a programme fee that covers essential services and support, which may include (depending on the placement):

• Accommodation

• Meals or food provision

• Project participation and supervision

• Research materials and field equipment

• Training, mentoring and professional guidance

• Local project support and coordination

• Pre-departure advice and ongoing Natucate support

These contributions ensure that conservation projects can operate ethically and independently, while providing interns and volunteers with safe, well-structured and educationally valuable placements.

This model is common within conservation, research and wildlife internships globally and reflects the real costs of running high-quality field programmes that prioritise education, conservation impact and community engagement.

About Natucate

Natucate intentionally combines the words nature and (to) educate. Our mission is to reconnect people with nature through education-driven, ethical and meaningful experiences abroad.

Based on our commitment to the protection of natural habitats, wildlife and ecosystems, we collaborate with trusted conservation organisations, research institutes, NGOs and field projects worldwide. Together, we offer internships and educational programmes that are impactful, responsible and aligned with real conservation needs.