The application was very simple to complete, and throughout the entire process, I was never without help! Any questions I had were quickly answered by the program manager. The Reserve Management & Research internship at the Kruger National Park made my future possible. My stay in South Africa exceeded my expectations, as I learned so much while I was there, and I couldn't imagine a better experience for me. I stayed for 12 weeks, and each week brought new experiences, excitement, and people. I’ve learned so much about South Africa, reserve management, wildlife, poaching, ecology, and plant life. Before going to South Africa, I was unsure about which direction I wanted to take for my future. It is now crystal clear that I want to work in conservation in Africa!

The people were the highlight of my time in South Africa, but the practical and professional experience I gained was second to none. I went for 3 months to get my GIS Certification and gain valuable field experience around wildlife. The encounters you'll witness and have with the animals will be remembered for the rest of your life. Stay as long as you are willing to. Many people came and went while I was there but the few that were there for a longer amount of time now have life-long connections. Typically people who stayed for 2 weeks were not ready to leave - I would do at least 4 weeks if you're going for reasons other than career. If you go for your career, go longer. I learned something new up until the day I left. If you don't mind getting a little dirty, this is the spot for you. Gondwana will steal your heart and soul like you couldn't imagine.

I loved my experience in Cape Town. Intern Abroad HQ never made me feel uncertain about what I could expect and I know there was always someone I could reach out to with any questions/ if anything came up. This doesn't only include the time pre-departure, but also in country, as well as afterwards. I always felt like I was prepared well and had everything I needed to have the best experience. The local team was also great and really helped Everyone to feel comfortable and supported. I would recommend Intern Abroad HQ/ Masambeni over and over again for this incredible opportunity that definitely changed my perspective on the world, be more informed and understanding of other people, their culture as well as their history. Anyone interested in a program like this should definitely be open-minded. Inform yourself about the place you're wanting to experience beforehand and know that there will be challenges, but none that you cannot overcome. There's a lot of support available and a good common sense will already serve you so well!

My experience during this internship offered me extensive training in QGIS, along with many culturally enriching lessons. This internship involved collecting field data through game transits, vegetation surveys, and camera traps. I also collaborated with the conservation team to assess human interactions and their impact on animal behavior, generating data in QGIS alongside other professionals. Over the course of two months, I was tested both professionally and personally, deepening my skills in QGIS while broadening my understanding of local cultures and conservation efforts. My favorite moments included interacting with other international volunteers and learning about their perspectives and lifestyles. Being part of a community focused on motivation and collaboration has instilled in me numerous morals and ethics.

My experience with Intern Abroad HQ was truly special. From the moment I applied, their team was incredibly supportive. They guided me through every step, from securing my GIS and Conservation internship to my arrival logistics and journey, making the process smooth and stress-free. Once at the Gondwana Game Reserve (South Africa), I fully immersed myself in the conservation work with the local team. During my stay at Gondwana, the hands-on experience in data collection, game transects, vegetation surveys, and bird point counts was invaluable, and I was able to develop my GIS skills and complete a research report at the end. I had never had such close encounters with wild animals. I also forged beautiful friendships and connections for the duration of my stay. Overall, I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn and grow professionally and personally, make priceless memories, and enjoy the most beautiful sunsets while gaining invaluable experiences!

I have just returned from the best 6 weeks in Gondwana Game Reserve (South Africa) completing the 'GIS and Reserve Management' internship, run by Intern Abroad HQ and Wildlife Ecological Investments (WEI). During my time in Gondwana, I gained valuable insight into how conservation practices work within a reserve, I have developed my GIS mapping skills to new levels via a lecture series and research report, and also improved my cultural awareness and communication skills in a mixed- nationality camp. On top of this, I have come away with some amazing memories and close up animal experiences. The highlight of my trip would have to be the sunset drives every Sunday, where we drive to a viewpoint and watch the African sun setting over Gondwana's beautifully hilly landscape. It was an unforgettable experience, and I would recommend this internship to anyone who wants to learn or improve their GIS mapping skills, and is passionate about applying this in a conservation setting.

The internship was advertised as educational with conservation opportunities. That is not at all what I got. It was a scuba diving vacation with no other structured activities and all the other interns got drunk every night of the week. All optional activities costed lots of money and if you didn’t want to pay for it you sat at home bored. There was not much to do in camp and not much to do in the small town we were located in. The internship description said they provided food (which they did) but it was so basic I couldn’t even make a legit meal out of the ingredients.The company that hosted the internship in country forced me to pay a lot of extra money upon arrival for things which were not disclosed beforehand. I felt like it was a waste of time and money and do not recommend.

Becoming an intern abroad entails acquiring practical, hands-on experience at a foreign business or organization while participating in all the thrilling adventures. Thanks to Intern Abroad HQ, my experience in Cape Town, South Africa, has been immersed in the local culture filled with adventures from delicious wine tasting in Cape Town's finest vineyards, catching the sunset on a catamaran as well as going on vigorous walks alongside the coast and seeing penguins. Further, I have been immersed in the local culture by visiting local markets and tasting Cape Town's most exotic food, such as Ostrich!

In this work-hard, play-hard culture, I interned at a human rights NGO names Africa Unite whose goal is to build communities that are conflict free, enhance social cohesion and promote social and economic development. During this internship, I have been allowed to touch on all of these disciplines drafting government letters, public speaking, organizing events for 50+ people, and openly speaking about change regarding human rights, women's rights and children's. Further, I have learnt how to carefully analyze a societal problem and find the most sustainable solutions that help every community member. I have always been keen on making a change for the better, and thanks to Intern Abroad, it has been the perfect channel to do so outside of my studies!