Marine Mammal Research & Conservation Internship

I spent two months at this institute and they have been some of the most memorable of my life. One thing that must be understood is that this is a freestanding not for profit in a country that does not particularly care for the environment. This is not a high tech equipment laboratory attached to dorms resembling a five star hotel's.
It is better
This is unpolished science build from the very ground up in the pursuit of conservation in the Mediterranean: they can even achieve building a natural sanctuary from scratch.
It is you who must either come knowing what changes you will make and what projects you will organize in this endeavour, or like me, participate in as many projects to learn the skills required to do science. No hand holding

You must be independent, self motivated and ready to learn as you go if you really want to get the best experience out of this.

Work: as mentioned above unless you have a project already in mind or are self-motivated to find work and help where you can, you will be bored. This is not a place to have your hand held.
You’re encouraged to feel out all the projects in your first week. Once settled, you can jump on something or identify an issue not being assessed, collaborate with interns and supervisors and see if it’s something worth exploring in-depth.

Rota: yes you have chores, yes they aren’t fun, get over it. You’re paying for an experience working first hand in a conservation NGO, which if you don’t know receives scant attention because “climate change/global warming doesn’t exist.
Remember this is not a 5-star luxury hotel. These are shared accommodations, so respect the furniture and others privacy, keep the washrooms clean (your mama/papa/maid aren’t here to clean up after you) and also, this isn’t your home where you can pile up dishes in your room or the office: SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS.

Rooms: shared quarters, each room has its own bathroom (pretty cool aspect rather then shared bathrooms with EVERYONE).
If there’s a minimal problem like the toilet doesn’t flush: google how to fix it, if the drain is clogged: google how to fix it. If the heaters are not working, tell, tell, tell until something is done about it (much like the field you are interning in: keep pushing and eventually your demands will be heard).

Past interns leave behind a lot of crap, especially if it’s used or damaged. If you’re concerned bring your own sheets/pillows.
Golden Option: bring a sleeping bag.

Past interns have also ruined some basic things like using the kitchen freely or drinking alcohol on campus after hours. Certain rules are enforced that may seem unnecessary but must be followed.

I recommend this place to anyone who can work independently, wants to fight for conservation and understands that this is a team environment and shared space. Everyone you’re surrounded by is experiencing the same as you, so if needed: complain, laugh it off and enjoy your time in Greece!

Archipelagos offer an amazing opportunity to the ones who want to start to do a real research in Marine and coastal field, for me in the begging it was a little confusing, but when I started to do really my work and understand how Archipelagos work, was amazing, I was learning every days with the supervisors, and in the same time i was doing my one project and they were helping me to complete my schedule in time.

The life in Archipelagos it's very nice, after 6 we can have time to discover the greek culture, and in the same time Archipelagos give for free lessons of greek language. The possibility offer by Archipelagos it's the best thing for new scientists start to do something in conservation, do a real thing instead just do research.

What happens at this Institute and what is described on their website is totally different, do not believe this beautiful website : their goal is to attract people so they can have your money. I had to do a 3-months internship but left after one, I couldn't gain experience, and I went over there for a university internship. They are not respectful towards marine mammals : using noisy motorboat or buying a brand new sonar so they can "see where the fish are, to observe the dolphins", BUT sonars are the main cause of strandings. Their goal is to take as much photos as they can to publish it on Facebook or on their website, to lie to the world and show how much this Institute protects and studies the environment. What's more : really poor hygiene, several cases of pneumonias, infections, round-trips to the hospital because of humidity, bedbugs, no warm water in winter... They promise you to improve your knowledge, but you will end up cleaning one of the directors' house on an other island (experienced).