à partir de 2 225€

Fantastique 4.5rating (56)

Diving & Marine Conservation Internship

location
2 - 50 semaines  ·  Âge 16 - 50+

rating  Fantastique 4.5  · 
  Vérifié par Volunteer World
  Taux de réponse excellent

Clou

  • Become a skillful ecology diver and help protect marine environment. Even if you do not have previous experience you will obtain important diving qualifications and gain insight!
  • Walk away with professional diving certifications and amazing experiences in one of the world’s most beautiful marine environment! This is a great opportunity to protect the marine environment.
  • Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
  • Gain Spanish fluency with the help of our free Spanish classes and share daily life with locals!
  • Enjoy the gorgeous beaches of Samana, climb the mountain peaks of pico Duarte and visit historical sites in Santo Domingos' colonial town!

Particulièrement approprié pour

Âge 16+
Seul voyageur
Couples
Familles
Groupes
50+

À propos du programme

Obtain important marine ecology diving qualification, work at a diving center and assist with marine environmental restoration activities, and invasive-species control

Program Description
Embark on an exciting diving internship, progressing to "Open Water Diver" and "Coral Reef Conservation" training with PADI. Already an Open Water Diver or equivalent? Get a 200 Euro discount or AOWD certification. Upgrade options available for Rescue Diver, Dive Master, and ...

À propos du programme

Program Description
Embark on an exciting diving internship, progressing to "Open Water Diver" and "Coral Reef Conservation" training with PADI. Already an Open Water Diver or equivalent? Get a 200 Euro discount or AOWD certification. Upgrade options available for Rescue Diver, Dive Master, and specialties. Gain valuable diving skills while protecting marine life. Contribute to marine conservation without prior experience. Leave with professional certifications and unforgettable memories from a stunning marine environment! Samaná Bay is a breeding ground for humpback whales and a vital fishing ground. Tourism impact on coastal-marine ecosystems raises concern. Unregulated tours and hotel developments threaten biodiversity and reproductive sites for whales and turtles. Las Terrenas hosts vital ecosystems like mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. Deforestation and contamination damage resilience, increasing vulnerability to tropical storms.

Volunteer placement or internship

Our program offers flexible commitment options for volunteers, ranging from a minimum of 4 hours daily up to to 40 hours per week - you decide! If you're joining as an intern, we understand that your school or university may have specific requirements. Please inform us in advance about your internship criteria, enabling us to tailor a personalized work plan to suit your needs. Share your expectations and goals with us, and we'll work together to ensure you achieve them. We are happy to give students academic credit or provide a report outlining the learning outcomes and deliverables achieved during the internship.


Requirements
No experience or Spanish skills required. Ideal participants interested in diving and marine conservation, proactive, and willing to learn. Bring your personal wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins or borrow from us. Rest of scuba gear provided. Five flexible working days per week. Non-diving conservation and educational activities included. Adaptability, responsibility, commitment, and patience expected. Work is rewarding and varied but demanding. Physical fitness is important, no Spanish required.



Journée typique

What to expect

With the Open Water Diver International Diploma and the "coral reef conservation" specialty training, you'll have the skills to dive up to 18m deep and actively participate in marine conservation along Las Terrenas' coast. After acquiring the necessary training, starting from the ...

Journée typique

What to expect

With the Open Water Diver International Diploma and the "coral reef conservation" specialty training, you'll have the skills to dive up to 18m deep and actively participate in marine conservation along Las Terrenas' coast. After acquiring the necessary training, starting from the second week of your internship, you'll engage in various marine conservation activities. These include working on projects related to coral nurseries, conducting scientific monitoring of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, as well as raising awareness in the community about environmental importance and waste management. Seaborne diving activities are subject to weather patterns and sea conditions, making the work dynamic and rewarding, albeit demanding. Physical fitness is crucial, but no Spanish language skills are required to make a meaningful contribution to marine protection. This program offers an excellent opportunity to become a passionate, qualified diver while actively contributing to the preservation of the marine environment.


Activities can include but are not limited to


  • Gain all important diving skills and certifications as part of marine conservation project 

  • Regular theory and practice classes as well as studies and research on marine conservation related subjects

  • Explanation of the conservation project and ecology of the species Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral)

  • Training in monitoring and elaboration of baseline for the mangrove of seagrass project

  • Demonstration of cleaning and routine maintenance techniques of aquatic coral nurseries 

  • Assist actively with the monitoring of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses 

  • Help with conservation awareness raising activities through Workshops, Movies, etc. 

  • Assist with the maintenance, protection and restoration of aquatic coral nurseries 

  • Assist with the elaboration of Beach profiles and the elaboration of their baseline

  • Submarine Beach Cleanings, regular beach and river cleaning up


Activités de loisirs

Program Highlights

  • Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
  • Gain Spanish fluency with the help of our free Spanish classes and share daily life with locals
  • Become more passionate about your studies and propel your career with international experience!
  • Make ...

Activités de loisirs

Program Highlights

  • Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
  • Gain Spanish fluency with the help of our free Spanish classes and share daily life with locals
  • Become more passionate about your studies and propel your career with international experience!
  • Make memories you never forget during weekend excursions with your fellow participants!
  • Enjoy the gorgeous beaches of Samana, climb the mountain peaks of pico Duarte and visit historical sites in Santo Domingos' colonial town!

What makes the Dominican Republic and Samana such a special destiny?
Samana is the name of both the peninsula and its biggest town located at Samana bay in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic. It is a dramatically beautiful peninsula, like an island unto itself, of coconut trees stretching into the sea. The town of Samana is a scenic, beautiful and peaceful port, with friendly and easy-going Dominicans, living their life with tourism, agriculture and fishing activities, all set to the beat and rhythms of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa music. The Malecon (seaside promenade) of two kilometers length is perfect for strolling by day and night. It is the perfect place to while away the evening in a relaxing atmosphere in one of the many surrounding restaurants and bars. Hundreds of fantastic beaches surround the peninsula of Samana, which can be explored during a day trip or for the whole weekend. Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
Other highlights nearby are:

  • Las Galeras y El Rincon - A small fisherman's town with beautiful beaches surrounded by nature. Travel by Bus (45 minutes / US$ 2,-)
  • El Limón - Famous waterfall and swimming. Travel by Bus (20 minutes / US$ 1,50,-)
  • Cayo Levantado - Small Island with beautiful beaches just of the coastline in Samana. Travel by Boat (15 minutes / US$ 2,-)
  • Parque National de los Haiteses - Park made of mangroves, caves with ancient paintings and beautiful bays with pristine beaches. Magnificent limestone caves to explore. Travel by Boat 60 minutes / US$ 10,-
  • Playa El Valle - A small fisherman's settlement with a beautiful beach surrounded by pristine nature. Travel by Moto Concho (MotoTaxi) (20 Minutes / US$ 3,-)
  • Great Kitesurfing beaches near Las Terrenas only an hour from Samana! The whole Peninsula of Samana is a wild and precious natural gem! People are extremely friendly and nature is gorgeous! 
  • Whale-Watching - From mid-January to late March the bay is home to some of the world's best whale-watching


Conditions

Conditions

Âge minimum: 16 ans

Pour participer à ce programme tu dois avoir au moins 16 ans quand le programme commence.

Compétences linguistiques

Tu dois parler Anglais (niveau de base)

Documents Requis

CV and Health certificate "fit for diving"

Restrictions de Nationalité

Aucune restriction. De l'aide venant de tous les coins du monde est bienvenu.

Autres Compétences

No previous experience required to participate in the program. A typical volunteer or intern should be interested in diving and protecting flora, fauna and marine-life in general. He or she needs to be of good health, enthusiastic, proactive, willing to learn and ready for a challenge. We expect that interns adapt to program needs with flexibility, responsibility, commitment, patience and perseverance, among other significant qualities. The work can be quite demanding but is always rewarding!

Engagement horaire

Nous avons besoin de ton aide pour mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi et samedi

Services inclus

Services inclus

Services de Fundacion Aldeas de Paz

Costs & Benefits
Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at €230 per week (after the second week) and includes the open water diving qualification, Spanish language classes and accommodation at our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location. If you have already your diving licence we will refund you with € 200,- !

This is included:

  • “Open Water Diver” training & certification

  • Professional Diving equipment is provided but you are welcome to bring your own personal wetsuit (3mm short or long sleeves) as well as mask, snorkel and fins (can also be locally lend or purchased)

  • Airport welcome service & transfer to your placement location 


  • Fully equipped Accommodation in Las Terrenas

  • Free WiFi (50Mbps) & access to washing machine

  • Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement

  • Placement introduction, certificate & student credit

  • Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff

  • Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

Special Offer
Volunteers and interns receive free language lessons throughout their placement duration. Classes focus on developing four basic communication skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations as soon as they step outside the classroom where learning continues as they are immersed in the Spanish language and the Dominican culture.

Transfert de l'aéroport Las Americas International Airport

About your Placement Location
The Aldeas de Paz Foundation headquarters are located in the villages of Samana but this program is located in Las Terrenas, located 35 km from Samana town center of the Samana province and peninsula in the north-eastern corner of the Dominican Republic. These villages with about 15000 inhabitants are very peaceful and safe and are constituted by a community with a strong sense of social responsibility. The people themselves consider their towns very safe, there is no more crime here than in any average small European town. The Dominican Republic's countryside as a whole is very peaceful, and certainly one of the safest regions in the Caribbean.

Travel Logistics
The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their arrival and stay in the Dominican Republic. On arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by our english speaking driver who will help you personally during your transit from the airport to the bus terminal granting you peace of mind and tranquility. The driver will purchase your bus ticket while you catch the direct and comfortable bus to Samana, your placement location. Travel-time on the bus is two hours only. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.

Logement

Our Volunteer Guesthouse Apartments and our Host Family home stay

The Foundation’s popular volunteer guesthouse apartments are located in the center of the seaside towns of Samaná and las Terrenas, both scenic, laid back and peaceful towns, with friendly and easy-going Dominicans, living their life with tourism, agriculture and fishing activities, all set to the beat and rhythms of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa music. Our Volunteer Guesthouse Apartments are extremely conveniently located only a few minutes from school or the hospital, the village center and to the beaches and the Malecon, the gorgeous seaside walking promenade, where you will find a lot of restaurants, bars and shops. The villages and their surroundings are very safe and our apartments in Samana and Las Terrenas have lovely neighbors who constantly look after us. All important locations are only minutes away and it’s safe to walk at night. A shared room with three beds is the standard option. Upgrades are available for double and single room occupancy and home stay with our lovely host family. Free wifi and access to a washing machine is, of course, standard at all Aldeas de Paz facilities. Living together with volunteers from all over the world is a unique chance for cultural exchange and can be an exciting and new way of living compared to anything you’ve ever experienced before. It has certainly been a key experience in the lives of many past volunteers! Volunteers work and live together and learn how to be empathetic and considerate of others’ needs. They often share their free time, house cleaning tasks and cooking (optional). It means they also become close, develop lifelong friendships and have immense fun along the way! We feel that it is important to highlight that we have created an environment of respect and consideration.

Accès à Internet

Bon accès sur le site du projet

NE SONT inclus dans le prix:

NE SONT inclus dans le prix:

Aliments & Boissons

Aliments, collations et boissons sont disponibles contre supplément.

Billets d'avion

L'aéroport le plus proche est Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) à Santo Domingo. Nous t'aidons à trouver des vols pas chers pour aller en République dominicaine. TROUVER DES VOLS PAS CHERS

Assurance Voyage

Partir à l'étranger est une aventure et c'est toujours mieux d'être bien préparé. Que ce soit une maladie soudaine, une blessure ou du vol - une assurance voyage pour République dominicaine te protège en cas de situation imprévue. OBTENIR UN DEVIS

Vaccins

Si tu envisages de faire du bénévolat en République dominicaine, nous te conseillons de consulter un médecin avant le début de ton voyage. Renseigne-toi sur les vaccins nécessaires pour République dominicaine. INFOS VACCINS

Informations sur l'arrivée

Availability
Starting dates are flexible 

Time Commitment
A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year

Placement Location
Las Terrenas

About your Placement Location
The Aldeas de Paz Foundation is based in the charming coastal villages of Samana and Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. Samana, in the north-eastern corner, has about 15,000 inhabitants and is renowned for its safety, tranquil atmosphere, and beautiful beaches. The community values social responsibility and exudes a secure, small European town vibe. The Dominican Republic's countryside is widely recognized for its peacefulness, making it one of the safest regions in the Caribbean. When you join our program, you'll experience a welcoming and secure environment while contributing to meaningful projects in this picturesque part of the world.

Disponibilité
janv. févr. mars avril mai juin juil. août sept. oct. nov. déc.

Frais de Programme

2 semaines (durée min.) 2 225€
3 semaines 2 455€
4 semaines 2 685€
5 semaines 2 915€
6 semaines 3 145€
7 semaines 3 375€
8 semaines 3 605€
9 semaines 3 835€
10 semaines 4 065€
11 semaines 4 295€
12 semaines 4 525€
13 semaines 4 755€
50 semaines (durée max.) 13 275€
Prix moyen 689€/semaine

Frais de Programme

689€ par semaine 2 - 50 semaines Âge 16 - 50+

Méthodes de payement

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

PAS DE FRAIS DE CARTE DE CRÉDIT


Durée

2 - 50 semaines

Acompte

L'acompte sert à réserver ta place avec l'organisation. Les paiements sont effectués par Paypal, notre partenaire de confiance pour les solutions de paiements internationales. Si tu n'as pas Paypal, tu peux également utiliser ta carte de crédit.


Paiement final

Le paiement du montant restant doit être organisé avec Fundacion Aldeas de Paz durant le processus de candidature. Très souvent ce paiement est effectué par virement bancaire ou en espèces.


Rencontrez votre hôte

Fundacion Aldeas de Paz

Fantastique 4.5 rating (56 avis)

Non lucratif - fondée en 2001

Vérifié par Volunteer World

  Taux de réponse excellent

Hébergé par

Manfred

Langues parlées: Allemand, Anglais, Espagnol

Sur le projet

Aldeas de Paz is a sustainable and transparent grass-roots NGO based in Santa Barbara de Samaná and Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic.

Rencontrez votre hôte

History of Aldeas de Paz

In the 1990s a German entrepreneur developed the Peace Villages Foundation, a social purpose NGO. For this he left his successful business career behind to become a social activist. He joined grassroots NGO’s around the globe and worked as a volunteer with the intention of helping to promote a “Culture of Peace”. Learning to put his entrepreneurial skills to work and gaining important NGO management experience, enabled him to set up replicable and self-sustained development programs under the legal frame of Fundaciòn Aldeas de Paz in Venezuela (2001) and the Dominican Republic (2015).

These days Fundaciòn Aldeas de Paz operates successful development and aid programs in the Samana province, a peninsula in the north-eastern corner of the Dominican Republic. Venezuelan operations are temporaley suspended until the situation allows for foreign aid workers to return savely to the country!

The Beginnings in Venezuela

The Peace Villages Foundation started in 1995 a first humanitarian project in Merida, Venezuela. Right from the beginning the project was financed through a Rotational Credit based on the collocation of the founders own life savings in form of a personal loan used as seed funding or seed capital. As the rotational credit is returned it is re-invested in yet a new project and so on.

The work in Merida focused on children rights. Efforts were made to integrate street children and at-risk youth into a more stable environment, and at times into foster families. With the aim of creating a registered NGO in Venezuela, the founder and his friends succeeded with the legal constitution of Fundaciòn Aldeas de Paz in Caracas (2001) and the Dominican Republic (2015). Aldeas de Paz has been focusing its resources and volunteer support on cultural exchange and social development programs ever since.

During 2014 the social and political situation in Venezuela became increasingly violent. Programs based on volunteer participation ever since had to be temporarily suspended in Venezuela.

Aldeas de Paz in the Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic our work focuses on education and human rights, gender equality, community development, environmental and climate protection as well as animal rescue. Aldeas de Paz actively promotes cultural exchange and sustainable, ecological tourism as a source of income for impoverished communities in the province. In addition, Aldeas de Paz strives to improve the lives of children, youth and young adults from vulnerable communities and disadvantaged backgrounds. The project locations Santa Bárbara de Samaná and Las Terrenas, both located on the peninsula of Samaná, are lovely coastal towns in the northeast of the Dominican Republic.

Timeline

1995, the first children rights activities in Merida, Venezuela, started. Focus is on social integration of street children and at-risk youth. Constitution of the Peace Villages Foundation

2001, legal frame work and constitution of Fundaciòn Aldeas de Paz in Caracas, Venezuela.

2002, a violent Coup d’état in Caracas. Aldeas de Paz activities in Caracas where forcefully suspended. Move to Santa Elena de Uairén, center of the Gran Sabana National Park near the Brazilian border in Venezuela. Development of various community based programs around social development, education and special need kids integration. Opening of the attention center “Tucusito” in the center of Santa Elena de Uairén.

2003, building of the new Aldeas de Paz Attention Center with school and equine therapy activities and Volunteer residence as well as community outreach programs for youth care and community development, indigenous empowerment, skill training and health prevention of the charity own 5 ha plot in a beautiful setting next to the rain forest on the edge of the National Park

2014, social and political unrest in Venezuela became increasingly violent and programs based on volunteer participation had to be suspended until further notice.

2015 Aldeas de Paz opens a new outlet in Samaná, the Dominican Republic. The foundation focuses its resources and volunteer support on social development programs and cultural exchange. Opening of the first Attention Center for special need kids in the province of Samana.

2016, Aldeas de Paz becomes the local host partner for the German Red Cross and the German Government sponsored program called “Weltwärts”:  German Red Cross volunteers join Aldeas de Paz in the Dominican Republic to help out for an entire year after which a new team will be placed every year.

2017, legal frame work and constitution of Fundaciòn Aldeas de Paz in the DR is completed. Opening of a new branch in Las Terrenas, a beautifully set town on the northern coast of the Samana province and peninsula with the same name.

2020, Our social programs have been developed and expanded ever since. Aldeas de Paz has become an important agent for Marine Conservation in the region and we where granted a UN sponsored project for coral reef restoration. Our volunteers reach has expanded too and we successfully opened a second branch in Las Terrenas not far from Samana where our attention centre and main office is located.

What we do

With our Youth Care and Community Work Program we aim to empower children and young adults by offering them additional educational opportunities and tutoring classes, as well as supporting and educating parents. With the help of local professionals we started the first ever educational and therapeutic initiative for children with special needs in the peninsula of Samaná.

With our Permaculture & Aquaponics internship you can study agroecology, food security and sustainability while living in the Caribbean at an permaculture inspired, agro-tourism Demonstration & Education Center near famous Cabarete Beach. This pilot project is located near a tropical river outside the famous surf town of Cabarete, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

Our small Community Attention Center, located in the heart of Samaná, hosts our special needs center and offers computer literacy, English and German classes and cultural exchange activities. In different locations around Samaná and Las Terrenas we offer a Diving & Marine Conservation Internship where we restore the coral reefs in front of the seaside town of Las Terrenas.

Additionally, we raise awareness for critical issues through our Social Media, Multimedia and Journalism Project. An awareness raising television program is planned, with the aim to help educate parents and attend adolescent issues. With the help of our NGO Management and Admin Program we coordinate our efforts and keep up with the management of operations in the area. Within this program, we support our staff to coordinate the various initiatives and logistical planning involved with the aim to become self-sustained in the community.

Our Medical and Dental Health Experience and Observation Programs allows interns and volunteers to shadow and assist the nurses and doctors in the local hospitals, neighborhood clinics and dental clinics.

Our  Animal Rescue Program offers interns the possibility to gain working experience with abandoned animals, promoting their health and defending their rights. Thanks to the great efforts of all the volunteers from around the world, Fundación Aldeas de Paz is able to make a positive impact on the local community!

56 avis · rating4.5

Mathias Nestler rating1.8

2020 at Diving & Marine Conservation Internship

My expectations about the marine conservation program especially for that high amount of money was way higher to be honest. I think one reason is that the dive center changed, another that Marie - the marine biologist - left (I found that out after I came there, after talking to non-NGO people). So ...
My journey was fueled by a desire to experience life beyond the typical tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic. With a focus on medicine and healthcare, I embarked on a month-long journey that opened my eyes to a new world of challenges and insights. Working in a local hospital, I encountered ...
I was very nervous for this trip since I didn't really know Spanish or have ever traveled to the Dominican, but it was so amazing! The coordinators and other volunteers are so supportive and want you to succeed and have the best trip. I did the medical program in the hospital and being able to see ...
Valerie Pramesberger rating4

2023 at Medicine and Healthcare Observation & Experience

Wir möchten gerne über unseren 5 wöchigen Aufenthalt in Samaná berichten, wo wir in einem Krankenhaus die dort arbeitenden Ärzte und Pfleger unterstützen. Unzählige Erfahrungen im Krankenhaus wie auch ganz viele Erlebnisse in unserer Freizeit - von Whale whatching über karibisch schöne ...
I was very nervous for this trip since I didn't really know Spanish or have ever traveled to the Dominican, but it was so amazing! The coordinators and other volunteers are so supportive and want you to succeed and have the best trip. I did the medical program in the hospital and being able to see ...
Wir möchten gerne über unseren 5 wöchigen Aufenthalt in Samaná berichten, wo wir in einem Krankenhaus die dort arbeitenden Ärzte und Pfleger unterstützen. Unzählige Erfahrungen im Krankenhaus wie auch ganz viele Erlebnisse in unserer Freizeit - von Whale whatching über karibisch schöne ...

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