The Science Exchange Sea Turtle Internship: LatAm & the Caribbean

The best part of the internship is the finding an actual sea turtle and seeing how they nest. It is a rewarding feeling to find a nest because it gives us a chance to save their eggs and increase the turtles survival rates. Another great opportunity was the various events we took part in to spread sea turtle awareness and the importance of conservation to the local kids of the community in Costa Rica. Something bad that happened daily was the lack of available water to shower and more importantly, to drink. The plumbing and overall housing unit could have used some major repair because often time the electricity and water would be out for days.Of course these things are difficult to avoid in the rain forest.Nevertheless, the experience always left for great stories to be told, and the bottom line is that I was there for the turtles and their eggs. I learned so much both as a science student and as an individual. I also took in the entire culture and beauty of Costa Rica.

Pros -

- One lump sum covers all costs of travel and lodging (minus food and entertainment)
- equipment was purchased for me so I had almost everything I needed when I got there
- Made great friends with other volunteers
- Katherine Comer Santos (KCS)was quick, helpful, and responds quickly to e-mails
- KCS was patient in teaching me how to use the equipment and carrying out my methods
- Centro Ecologico Akumal(CEA)staff was hospitalble and friendly.
- CEA trains their volunteers well and encourages volunteers to educate tourists about the local marine environment
- Support through writing thesis
- Encouragement to publish findings
- CEA rooms were spacious
- CEA allowed overnight visitors for minimal costs
- I learned more than I ever thought I would about sea turtles.

Cons
- I wish I was sent to a place where people spoke more English other than the tourists.
- I would have liked to get there earlier in the season to witness more nesting for a better sample size, but that was mostly a financial issue on my part
- Walking the terrain on the beach was very tough and I wish I was aware how difficult this was going to be as I asked ahead of time how difficult it would be knowing I was soon to be listed on the Double Lung Transplant List.

Interning with the science exchange was one of the most amazing experiences. Living on the beautiful beach of Akumal, Mexico with like-minded people, saving sea turtles was priceless. I arrived in Cancun not knowing what to expect but the experience surpassed my expectations. I spent every day on the beach, snorkeling, and swimming with young sea turtles. I spent the nights patrolling the beaches, watching the females lay their eggs, and marking the nests. Seeing the newly hatched sea turtles coming out of their nest was the highlight of my internship. After I returned to San Diego, my mentor guided and helped me analyze my data and write my paper for which I received an A. I highly recommend interning with the science exchange.

My experience happened in Costa Rica on an isolated beach called Playa Caletas. The experience I had during the two months I was there was one that brought me knowledge about myself, my passions, nature, environmentalism, appreciation and peace. Living directly on the beach without electricity, running water, and proper roofs may not be an ideal living situation for everyone, but for me that is what made my experience. counting plastic, executing night patrols, and building the turtle hatchery consumed my days and were the activities that taught me about all things outside of myself. Free time enabled me to draw, think, walk and reflect on one of the world's most deserted beaches. I wouldn't have traded my experience for anything.

What to expect, do, and scientific goals were all well understood, before departing the U.S. Once on sceen found several challenges to data collection, but support staff was very accomidating. Day to day was data analysis, and adjustments/preperation as well as down time (swimming, exploring) during day. Night was data collection. Overall experience was very good, had a lot of fun, while gaining vaulable experience for my career.

I interned in Akumal, Mexico, studying the climate change effects on sea turtle nests, and I couldn't have had a better summer. My adviser, Katherine, was so helpful, even from a different country, and the in country staff taught me so much about sea turtles. The ups and downs of patrolling the beaches at night to protect the turtles are very memorable for me. The endless nights of protecting nests and turtles really made me have an emotional connection to such a beautiful species of animals, that I will never forgot. I got the chance to make friends around the world and explore the local area around my studying and volunteer work. I visited ancient ruins and different areas of the Yucatan. Living in a different country is a great learning experience, and being able to study and make a difference while doing so was such a great idea. Thank you Science Exchange for adding incredible memories and knowledge to my life!

I rated the facilities lower than 10 because you live like the locals in the small fishing villages...or you can live in an air-conditioned apartment in the city working in a lab. It depends on your taste. Either way, it will never be like a U.S. facility, and so expect the lights and water to go out at odd times.You just have to be ready with candles and tanks of water. Most of the time you are outside anyway, on the beach, doing your research or working with the turtles.