Internships

Interns are independent students, graduates and young professionals who work during our minimum 10 week programs with our dedicated program coordinators to gain supervised, hands-on professional experience in a specific field through our current program offerings. 

You​ ​may​ ​have​ ​a​ ​college​ ​requirement​ ​to​ ​fulfill,​ ​or​ ​you​ ​may​ ​just​ ​like​ ​to work​ ​in​ ​unique​ ​and​ ​remote​ ​settings—either​ ​way,​ ​this​ ​experience isfor​ ​you.

Ideally, you are:

  • Passionate about nature and culture;
  • Interested in social and political inclusion of marginalized groups, including subsistence farmers and native populations
  • Comfortable in cross-cultural interactions
  • Not terrified of snakes, spiders, or sloths

Your participation will play a crucial part in the successful stewardship and conservation of the Mamoní Valley Preserve. In consideration of the investment of time, energy, and capital necessary to curate your learning experience, a value agreement will be reached in terms of accommodations, oversight, personal goals, and daily objectives for projects to be accomplished.

What to do next?

Send our Program Director an email at lifechanger@geoversity.org explaining: 

  1. How are you interested in supporting Geoversity
  2. Why you would be a good candidate 
  3. Experience in a brief resumé

FAQ

The internship tuition includes:
  • Mentorship from the dedicated program coordinator
  • Shared lodging in your private tent on a covered, raised wooden cabana at our off-grid rainforest campus at the edge of a vast wilderness preserve with showers 
  • Transportation from Chepo or Las Margaritas to our Centro Mamoní campus 
  • 3 meals daily 
  • Potable water 
  • Wi-Fi  
  • 25 meters length natural pool 
  • Sustainable generated electricity 24/7 
  • Community garden 
  • Access to laundry hand washing station and dry room 
  • Conservation fee to support Mamoní Valley Preserve 
  • Support on how to plan logistics and city lodging 
  • Special rates for eco-adventure activities
  •  Howler monkeys, hummingbirds, and sloths
Does​ ​not include:
  • Airport pickup and drop-off* 
  • Any costs outside of the Mamoní Valley Preserve
  • Eco-adventure activities
  • Any medical costs
  • Any travel or medical insurance

*Private airport/city pickup/drop-off costs $80 each way per truck (fits 4ppl) for a ride to or pick up from the Tocumen International airport or locations in Panama City. Other options are to take a bus from Panama city to Chepo or Las Margaritas for $1.50 and included in your tuition we will pick you up in Chepo or Las Margaritas. Taxi from the airport to Chepo or Las Margaritas is about $50 and from Panama city it is about $60 (taxi fare can be split with other ppl in your group).

How​ ​to​ ​secure​ ​your​ ​spot:
  1. Your attendance will be confirmed after 100% of the balance is paid
  2. Upon confirmation of the trip or no later than 8 weeks prior to the trip, we require a 50% deposit. This is to allow us to continue normal operations in preparation for the trip and make any important purchases
  3. The last 50% of the cost is required 21 days prior to the trip or an additional 5% administrative fee will be charged on the total trip cost
Do​ ​you​ ​provide​ ​scholarships​ ​or​ ​stipends​ ​for​ ​interns?

Panamanian students have grants available for a 50% discount. Inquire for more details.

Additionally, for international students, we have a budget set for scholarships and stipends, which are offered on a case by case basis.

A video call interview will be set up for those interested in seeking funding and assessment will be based on personal experiences, skill sets, time availability, program(s) and project(s) of interest, among other. Inquire for availability.

What​ ​does​ ​my​ ​typical​ ​day​ ​look​ ​like?

At 7am we meet at our Comedor to help with community-based chores (put away dried dishes, sweep, wipe down surfaces, etc.). At 7.30 a large healthy breakfast is served that always includes fresh tropical fruits. At 8am we meet to discuss the days tasks and you get started with your Program Coordinator on projects based on current events. Your projects vary on your internship path, but, for example, can take place at our Centro Mamoní campus working on a sustainable project, in one of the Valley communities aiding the teacher with a workshop for the students, at a reforestation plot in the Preserve helping bring back the biodiversity, or sharing with locals at our agroforestry site dedicated to trialing integrated agricultural systems. 

Lunch is from 12-1pm and can be packed or made at our Centro Mamoní campus. 

The afternoons are finished at 4pm. After a day in the field, stops can be made at one of our swimming holes, or students lounge around the campus’ refreshing natural pool. For dinner volunteers and interns share with staff in the culinary prep, which always provides exciting new meal creations inspired by the mix of cultures! 

The night time is reserved for lounging in the hammocks and sharing the day’s activities around our indoor camp fire with fellow colleagues. Watching films together on the projector is also common.

Can​ ​I​ ​do​ ​my​ ​own​ ​personal​ ​micro-project​ ​while​ ​in​ ​the​ ​course?

We always love students who take the initiative and propose micro-projects. Just be realistic and consider the time and other natural resources available to you. Limited funding can be available if your project helps us reach our goal of becoming 100% self sustainable.

Can​ ​I​ ​extend​ ​my​ ​stay​ ​after​ ​the​ ​10​ ​weeks​ ​to​ ​volunteer​ ​or​ ​continue​ ​working on​ ​my​ ​micro-project?

Of course! All interns have the opportunity to extend their stay as volunteers for no extra cost.

Can​ ​I​ ​receive​ ​packages​ ​while​ ​in​ ​Mamoní?

No. We are in a remote area without postal service. There are mailing services offered in Panama City, who can deliver to our office and we can from there deliver it to you in Mamoní.

How​ ​can​ ​I​ ​communicate​ ​with​ ​friends​ ​or​ ​family?

Students have access to the internet for messaging and that allows for calls with VoIP services like skype, facetime, google hangouts, etc. 

What​ ​do​ ​I​ ​do​ ​on​ ​weekends?

Depending on your internship program, weekends might be spent coordinating with guest visits or community projects, but those days are compensated to have free days during the week. Generally weekends are for personal time for adventure trips in the Mamoní Valley, which can be arranged with staff. Some guests choose to explore outside of the Valley and we are happy to help out with logistics.

Can​ ​I​ ​travel​ ​while​ ​in​ ​a​ ​program?

Intern schedules can be flexible to accommodate some personal travel experiences. Some extended weekends can be arranged with your program coordinator to allow additional travel time.

Step away from routine – change your perspective in life

Get adventurous – move away from your comfort zone

Grow as a person – inspire your peers

Broaden your education – distinguish yourself

Share your experiences with the world