VETERINARY STUDENT INTERNSHIP
Are you looking for a Wildlife Veterinary Health and Conservation Internship, look no further and explore the opportunities that International Animal Rescue Costa Rica and Tapir Vet have to offer you.
What is this Internship?
This is an immersive 6 to 8-week internship split between two locations:
- Nosara, at the International Animal Rescue (IAR) Costa Rica.
- Bijagua, with Tapir Vet, led by Dr. Jorge Rojas Jiménez (DVM, PhD), expert in tapir conservation.
It’s designed for students or newly-graduates in veterinary medicine who want hands-on experience in the field working with experienced professionals.
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
We are looking for...
If you want to learn more about medicine, rehabilitation and reintroduction, as well as field research, wildlife monitoring, community involvement, and disease ecology, this internship is ideal for you!
What will you learn?
This internship will help prepare you for a career in Veterinary Medicine. You will assist our veterinary team in the clinic:
IAR Costa Rica:
Tapir Vet – Bijagua:
IAR Costa Rica:
- Direct assistance in veterinary procedures
- Development of environmental enrichment
- Support in the daily care of animals
- Environmental education for visitors
- Community activities
Tapir Vet – Bijagua:
- Tapir monitoring with camera traps
- Research on human-wildlife conflicts
- Environmental education in local communities
- Tropical ecology and wildlife movement
- Wildlife medicine and monitoring
- Surveillance of zoonotic diseases
- Participation in conservation planning
Who will you work with?
Veterinary interns work directly with experienced wildlife veterinarians Dr. Francisco Sánchez in Nosara and Dr. Jorge Rojas in Bijagua.
Dr. Francisco Sánchez
Veterinarian
Dr. Jorge Rojas
Veterinarian
REQUIREMENTS
It is ideal for anyone with experience in veterinary medicine or wildlife conservation who wishes to gain field experience working alongside seasoned conservationists with Costa Rican wildlife.
Students must commit to an internship lasting a minimum of 3 weeks (maximum of 8 weeks) and must understand that the first part of the internship takes place in Nosara and the second part in Bijagua or another location.
Estudiante o graduado de una licenciatura veterinaria. Experiencia previa en conservación de la vida silvestre: ideal, pero no imprescindible
Habilidades de comunicación oral y escrita en inglés y español, o con ganas de aprender
Capacidad y adaptación para trabajar en el campo en condiciones exigentes
Presentar comprobante de seguro médico internacional
Rabies vaccination is strongly recommended.
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What to expect?
Interns should expect a busy, highly variable environment with a high number of emergency cases and/or confiscations coming in at a moment‘s notice. The level of participation in clinical cases will depend greatly on the skill and experience level of the student and the number and type of cases presented during the internship period.
Internship opportunities and projects outside the clinic
The interns also have the opportunity to attend lectures, vet labs and round tables organized by the wildlife and veterinary internship coordinators covering different topics in biodiversity conservation.
Schedule
Students participate in rehabilitation and clinic activities for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week with two days off for rest or travel. The veterinary clinic is working 24/7. Students work roughly 8 hours per day on a flexi-schedule depending on the needs of the clinic, the caseload and the time of the year.
PROGRAM FEES
-
Fully paid 1 month before arriving.
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$ 700 / week
-
What's included?
Accommodation
Meals
Equipment
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Refundable security deposit:
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$ 500
Important details
What is included?
Not included
What is included?
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Equipment
- Interrnship program
Not included
- Flights
- Health insurance
- Visa-related expenses
- Freetime activities
How to apply?
Send the following to both:
Steps:
*Dr. Jorge will schedule a Zoom interview upon review.
FAQ
Frequent Asked Questions
Can I hold the animals?
Sorry, but holding the animals is not allowed. This is to protect both them and you. Thanks for understanding!
Can I go with my partner?
For personal safety and in accordance with Costa Rican law, only internship participants may remain at the rescue center for the duration of the internship.
Am I allowed to have visitors?
Visits from friends and family are not permitted without prior notice and written approval from the volunteer coordinator.
VOLUNTEER VETERINARIAN PROGRAM
For graduates in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.
REQUIREMENTS
How to apply?
Send the following documents to this email:
Attach: