Internships
Costa Rica - Internship
Our research internships are created in collaboration with the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve & The Pangea Foundation. You'll be based on a research base in the Talamanca mountains, within the montane cloud forests. You will be assisting in the data collection of 2 ongoing Pangea Projects, only available to our interns.
Research Internships
This internship is focused on developing your knowledge of research in the field. Learn about different biological survey techniques and get a glimpse at how data is collected in the wild.
Live on a research base in the jungle.
A true authentic experience! You'll be sharing a base with other researchers & interns. All the facilities you will need. A great place to make new friends and meet people from all around the world.
Assist on ongoing research projects.
You will be directly participating in the data collection for two Pangea Foundation projects. If you are a 6 month intern you'll have the chance to become a research assistant on a project of your choice. Get access to all the data collected for your own studies.
The Cloudbridge Bird Diversity Project
Birds, birds & just a few more birds.
From Tanagers to Quetzals! Cloudbridge has an amazing diversity of birds in the reserve. The aim of this project is to collect data to learn more about the species diversity in the reserve.
Learn how we collect data on birds in the reserve.
Cloudbridge sits in a diverse cloud-forest ecosystem, where there is still much to learn about the birds that use its forests at different elevations and stages of regeneration.
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The ARK Bird Diversity Project is designed as a long-term monitoring programme, collecting a broad dataset that can support future research by ARK, Cloudbridge, university students and other researchers.
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Interns will conduct regular point-count surveys throughout the reserve, recording not only which species are present, but also how they are using the forest. During each observation, interns will record factors such as species, behaviour, group size, position within the forest and time of observation. Environmental data including temperature, humidity and weather conditions will also be collected.
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Additional surveys will investigate factors such as canopy cover, flowering and fruiting, helping us explore how changes in the forest environment influence bird communities. Where possible, interns will also contribute audio recordings, GPS locations and photographic records to build a comprehensive species inventory for Cloudbridge.
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Over time, this growing dataset could allow us to investigate questions around habitat use, forest regeneration, seasonal changes, species abundance and community composition, while building an increasingly complete picture of the birds of Cloudbridge.
The Tala-mander Project
The Talamanca Mountain Range Salamander Project
A Pangea Foundation Project
Finding Salamanders in the Mountains.
This project focuses on the Herpetofauna of the talamanca mountains, with a focus on Caudata aka; Salamanders.
Learn about how we conduct our salamander surveys and learn more about these amazing animals to help conserve them.
Our second project focuses on one of the cloud forest's most elusive and poorly studied groups: Salamanders.
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Cloudbridge is home to several species of salamander, including members of the lungless salamander family Plethodontidae. Despite their ecological importance, salamanders remain understudied in the higher elevations of Costa Rica.
The tala-mander project aims to investigate their diversity, abundance and microhabitat preferences within Cloudbridge and the surrounding area.
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Rather than relying on traditional walking surveys, searching for these animals requires a much slower and more methodical approach. Interns will carefully search forest-floor habitats, turning over leaves, logs and other natural cover while recording detailed information about each animal encountered.
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For every observation, we will collect information such as species, life stage, altitude, GPS location, temperature, humidity, microhabitat, distance to water and associated vegetation. Other amphibians and reptiles encountered during surveys will also be recorded, helping us build a broader picture of the local herpetofauna.
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Because this is a conservation-focused project, the longer-term aim is to identify potential threats and determine whether further research or conservation action may be required.
A Typical Week in the Field
No two weeks in the cloud forest are exactly the same. Weather, wildlife and research priorities all influence the schedule, but interns can expect a balance of early-morning field surveys, data management, training and time to explore the reserve.
Monday - bird survey:
The week may begin with an early morning point-count survey, when bird activity is at its highest. After returning to base, the afternoon is used to organise observations, enter data and review species identifications with the field supervisor.
Tuesday - Salamander project:
A slower day in the forest searching for salamanders and recording their microhabitat. These surveys require patience and careful observation, with interns learning how to systematically search plots while minimising disturbance.
Wednesday - Research and training:
Not every day is spent walking through the forest. Interns will have time dedicated to data management, research methods and training sessions led by the ARK field supervisor. Topics may include species identification, survey design, field ethics, data analysis, or other skills relevant to the projects and to individual university research.
Thursday - Data and project development:
Another field day, potentially returning to bird point counts or continuing salamander surveys. Depending on the stage of the project, interns may begin taking more responsibility for planning surveys, collecting data and ensuring that protocols are followed consistently.
Friday - Welcome center and night survey:
Spend the day at the Welcome Centre, introducing visitors to Cloudbridge and sharing the reserve’s conservation work while developing your science communication skills and practising your Spanish. After dinner, head out for a night survey to search for salamanders and other herpetofauna.
Weekends - to relax and explore:
Weekends are yours to explore. For interns staying for at least one month, ARK will also aim to organise at least one weekend excursion to another part of Costa Rica, giving interns the opportunity to experience ecosystems and wildlife beyond Cloudbridge. The exact destination will depend on the season and interests of the group.
Internship Information
Price & What's Included:
1 Month - £2100
2 Months - £2000 per Month
3 Months - £1900 per Month
4 Months - £1800 per Month
6 Months - £1550 per Month
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Included: Accomodation, Weekly food stipend, In-country Transport, Support from supervisor, Weekend excursions (Every 2 weeks).
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Not Included: Flights, Travel insurance
Accommodation, Food & Weekend Excursions:
Accommodation:
You will be living on the Cloudbridge base. The rooms are dormitories (Bunk beds), so you will be sharing a space with other interns/researchers. There is running showers and flushable toilets. Two communal kitchens and dinning areas. Alongside a field lab with spaces to study and do work, as well as some 'chill out' areas to relax.
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Food:
You get a £50 weekly budget for food. If you go over this you will need to pay the difference. We organise a weekly food order from the farmers market, there is also chances to tag along and see what local growers are selling. You are in-charge of cooking for yourself. On Thursday's Cloudbridge has a Potluck.
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Weekend Excursions:
As part of the ARK Expeditions Internships, you will have weekend excursions included. They happen every 2 weeks and will take you to explore other parts of Costa Rica. Whether its a beach weekend, or visiting a National Park.
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1 month Internship - 2 Weekend Excursions.
2 Month Internship - 4 Weekend Excursions.
And so on.
On site staff & other activities:
There will be an ARK staff member on site at all times. They will be there conducting the data collection for the ongoing projects and teaching you how the data is collected. They will organise the weekend excursions and liase with you on any projects or weekly plans.
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We work directly with the Cloudbridge staff so you will be involved in some of their activities as well. You will be given a weekly schedule that covers the different activities you are on for each day. As an ARK intern you will be automatically assigned to the Pangea Projects.
How do you apply?
It's very simple:
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- Apply on the form above or alternatively contact us through our 'contact us' page for any further information.​
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- We then send you a response and give you any relevant details. Before confirming we will organise a quick call or video call to go over the internship and brief you.
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- You then book & make the payment. You'll shortly recieve any pre-departure materials (Packing lists, project briefs, health & safety forms, dietary requirements, etc).
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