Wildlife Conservation: credit-bearing internships in Thessaloniki
Wildlife Conservation internships in Greece provide an immersive opportunity for students to provide hands-on assistance to qualified vets and other experts. The internship is located within Thessaloniki and the Axios River National Park - a protected wetlands, home to a diverse range of wildlife including birds, foxes, turtles, otters and wildcats. Wildlife Conservation interns gain practical conservation experience and knowledge from an experienced team, including activities related to conservation awareness, research, care and rehabilitation for injured wildlife, and center maintenance. As a credit-bearing internship, this internship also provides you with the opportunity to receive a credit-transfer back to your home academic institution.
Internship Highlights:
- Opportunity to transfer credit back to your home academic institution.
- Support conservation and wildlife preservation efforts.
- Help protect endangered animal populations.
- Develop your communication skills through teamwork and outreach programs.
- Enjoy traveling and living in Thessaloniki, with easy access to wider Northern Greece and the Mediterranean.
Type of host organizations:
- Non-government organization dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals.
Internship details
Did you know you can intern abroad for college credit? Wildlife Conservation interns gain course credits, while simultaneously building valuable experiences outside the classroom. Contribute to conservation efforts in one of Greece’s most significant wetland reserves - the Axios River National Park is home to an array of flora and fauna, bird species, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Located just outside of Thessaloniki, interns are placed with an experienced NGO, which has been focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals, for over a decade.
As this internship is designed to allow students to gain credit, please check with your professor or study abroad advisor in advance, to confirm that your college will accept credit transfers from Webster University. You can alternatively explore the non-credit-bearing version of this internship here.
On this internship, interns assist an NGO which is unique to northern Greece. The organization collaborates with a wildlife hospital, which works to tackle the harm caused to wildlife by environmental pollution, habitat loss, hunting and trapping. The NGO focuses on supporting and protecting the region’s wildlife, while driving public awareness through projects related to environmental education.
Situated near to the city of Thessaloniki, interns can also visit a range of historical, archeological, and cultural sites in their free time. Thessaloniki has a large student population, excellent “coffee culture”, and is near to beautiful beaches which are perfect for day trips.
As a Wildlife Conservation intern, you’ll be guided by the qualified professionals onsite, who share their passion for wildlife conservation and protection. Come prepared to get stuck in and collaborate as a team. Depending on the conservation priorities at the time of your internship, you may assist with:
- Conservation efforts and wildlife protection activities in the field
- Provision of veterinary and rehabilitative care to injured wildlife which has been found locally or brought to the well-known center by others
- Conservation awareness events and workshops for the community
- Facility maintenance, to keep the center in good condition year-round
- Rehabilitated wildlife reintegration programs
- Wildlife habitat assessments
- General clean-up of the national park and surrounding areas
Interns must come prepared to be flexible and adaptable to conditions and site priorities. Note that throughout the year, conditions can vary. It’s hot in the summer and outdoor activities can be physically demanding. A reasonable level of fitness is required, along with a passion for the environment and the great outdoors (and a willingness to get dirty from time to time!)
Credit-bearing internship details
These credit-bearing internships are offered in collaboration with Webster University (Athens Campus). Webster University has a comprehensive network of campuses in cities around the world, including the USA, with a unified academic experience in all locations. The university carries full institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). As the course catalog and credit system are the same throughout the Webster University international network, their accreditation may be applied worldwide.
The number of credits you can potentially earn corresponds to your chosen internship duration:
- 5 weeks = 1 credit
- 10 weeks = 2 credits
- 15 weeks = 3 credits
- 20 weeks = 4 credits
As Greece is a European country within the Schengen area, many nationalities can enter as a tourist, for up to 90 days, and do not need to obtain a visa in advance. For example, travelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA (and many other countries). The 90 days you are allowed to spend in the Schengen zone are eligible for a 180-day period. Therefore, we recommend a maximum internship duration of 10 weeks. (Or up to 12 weeks, if you are choosing a non-credit bearing internship). If you are an EU/EEA citizen, then you may be able to apply for a credit-bearing internship with a duration of 15 or 20 weeks.
Typical Schedule
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Approximately 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Career Benefits
Wildlife Conservation (credit-bearing) interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Assist with daily treatment and feeding activities, for species under veterinary care.
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Assist with the cleaning and maintenance of facilities, including spaces where animals are being care for.
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Support conservation and wildlife preservation efforts and events.
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Assist with facility maintenance.
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Contribute to reintegration programs.
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Learn about animal health and behavior in the wild.
Professional development opportunities:
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Assist local team members with the rescue of exhausted and/or trapped wild animals.
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Help local veterinarians and wildlife care professionals to rehabilitate exhausted, sick, injured, or juvenile wild animals (mostly birds, but also mammals and reptiles).
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Assist with the release of rehabilitated individuals back into their natural habitats.
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Contribute to public awareness campaigns and education programs designed for a range of ages within the community (i.e. environmental games and presentations).
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Participate in events and festivals that focus on creating enhanced public awareness of environmental issues.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Greece - for credit photo gallery
Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$449 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$449 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 5 weeks | $4,139Equivalent to $118/day |
| 10 weeks | $6,589Equivalent to $94/day |
| 15 weeks | $8,659Equivalent to $82/day |
| 20 weeks | $10,409Equivalent to $74/day |
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Airport pick-up
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- Meals
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Optional extras, such as language lessons
- Souvenirs and leisure activities during your free time
- Personal spending money to cover basic expenses such as drinks, snacks, laundry, public transportation, and any meals not included in your Program Fee
- A deposit of $449 USD is required to secure your internship
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 60 days before your internship start date.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Thessaloniki begin on the first and third Monday of the month. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Note that there are typically less placements available during August, due to the summer vacation period in Greece. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 24 weeks.
Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays.
The typical port of entry is the Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG). In order to receive the airport pick up service which is included in the Program Fee, interns are required to arrive on the Sunday before their Monday start date, between 9am and 6pm. An extra charge applies to any airport pickups outside this timeframe. If you are planning to spend time independently in Greece prior to your internship and will not require an international airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics with you.
Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the accommodation. Accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date. The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
Check what’s required to visit Greece - for credit
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Accommodation and WiFi
Interns in Thessaloniki are accommodated in clean and comfortable, fully furnished apartments or selected hotel / hostel rooms. Bedding and furnishings are provided, as well as common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Standard amenities include whiteware (i.e. washing machine, stovetop, fridge, microwave) and clean linen (i.e. bed sheets, pillows, towels). Accommodation includes 24Mbps internet / WiFi access.
In most cases, between two to six guests can be accommodated per apartment so interns should be prepared to share living arrangements. Each guest will have a single or double bed. Rooming arrangements are same-sex, unless specific requests are made to share mixed-gender accommodation. For private accommodation, alternative living arrangements can be requested and arranged in advance, for an additional “upgrade” fee.
Please note that Wildlife Conservation interns may have alternative accommodation logistics, which are outlined here.
Upon the confirmation of specific internship details for each participant, accommodation arrangements are made, taking into consideration the location of internship placements, to ensure that any commute time is as convenient as possible.
Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. The exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos.
Meals
Internships on this program do not include meals, as affordable supermarkets are easily accessible. Greece has a thriving coffee culture which is delightful to partake in (there is also WiFi in almost all coffee shops and restaurants). Try Ellinikos (a favorite style of coffee) along with Freddo Espresso / Cappucino and Frappe.
For eating out, interns may budget approximately 3 - 5 Euro for a light breakfast (about US$5 - 7) and 5 - 10 Euro for a simple lunch (about US$5 - 12). There are ample dining options ranging from budget to high end. Greek cuisine offers a range of incredible dishes to experience, including well known classics such as Moussaka and Souvlaki. The Mediterranean diet features meat (cow, chicken, lamb), pasta, rice, pulses, vegetables, and a variety of fish and seafood. When in doubt, skip straight to dessert and order Galaktoboureko (with ice cream)!
Language lessons
Fluency in Greek is not a requirement for interns in Greece, however lessons with a private tutor can be arranged for those who wish to learn. Lessons are coordinated directly through our local team and can be confirmed once registered for an internship or at the orientation in-country.
Weekends and travel
Hosted within Greek’s cultural center of Thessaloniki, you’ll experience a vibrant cultural and touristic city during your internship. National Geographic Magazine has previously named Thessaloniki as one of the top tourist destinations worldwide. As the second largest city in Greece, you can find that Thessaloniki has it all - a rich history, amazing food, shopping and an entertaining cultural scene. During free time, interns will have ample opportunity to explore local cafes, bakeries, restaurants and the bustling metropolis that is the port.
Thessaloniki was once an important metropolis and seaport during the Roman period, so there is no shortage of archeological sites. You’ll marvel over the Roman Agora, found in the center of town, as well as the Rotunda and Arch of Galerius. Grab yourself a strong Greek coffee and a famous custard filled bougatsa before exploring on foot with map in hand, or with one of many walking tours available around town. The history of the beautiful preserved Agios Demetrios church and the Byzantine Baths, both protected Unesco sites and not to be missed, while the herbs, spices and sweets of the Bezesteni Market are every food conisors dream!
Want to explore a little further afield? Thessaloniki’s ideal placement on the shore of the Aegean means that the Sporades, or Northern Aegean Islands are just a ferry ride away. Here interns can continue on with their exploration of the Greek island on conclusion of their internship.
Local coordinators are on hand to assist with the booking of safe and reliable activities at discounted prices, so be sure to ask them for advice about how to make the best arrangements to maximize your time and budget (you can do so once registered for your internship or during the orientation). Note that some excursions require a minimum participation of between two or four other people, so it’s wise to enquire in advance.
Essential country information
| Capital | Athens |
| Population | 10.75 million |
| Languages | Greek |
| Currency | Euro (€ - EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate:
With its Mediterranean climate, the summers in Greece are long, hot and dry and the winters are mild. The best time to visit Thessaloniki for the hot weather is from mid June to mid September. The hottest month is July, in which the temperature may peak around 92°F / 33°C. Heatwaves in Greece may occur but they are usually not prolonged (that coast moderates temperatures with coastal breezes). The cooler months are November through March. During this period, it rarely gets any colder than 32°F / 0°C. In Thessaloniki, February is the coldest month. Rainfall in Greece varies throughout the year, although the summer months are drier in comparison. December is usually the wettest month of the year. Outside of Thessaloniki, the climate of Greece remains primarily Mediterranean. However, due to its mountainous regions, there is a range of microclimates and local variations. Snow regularly falls in the high mountains.
