GIS & Reserve Management Internships: Intern abroad in Gondwana Game Reserve, South Africa

Before arriving, I was skeptical that it was too good to be true. However, the experience still exceeded the high expectations I already had. I never wanted to leave and I appreciated my time with all the team members and wildlife. I highly, highly recommend this to anyone, and just remember: the impact and what you take away from this is largely up to you. You will receive multiple layers of support from your Program Manager, in-country coordinator and supervisor. My Program Manager was amazing through and through. All questions and concerns were addressed promptly and always in a friendly, supportive manner. The 8 weeks I spent at the Gondwana Game Reserve were nothing short of phenomenal. There were always opportunities to grow personally and academically in more ways than I could expect. The camp managers were excellent in running the camp in a way that felt friendly but structured, and were always there when you needed it - whether it was a laugh or advice.

Through this internship experience, I discovered the value of adaptability and openness in building connections. By me stepping out of my comfort zone and actively participating in discussions, I was able to foster an inclusive environment. I learned to appreciate the nuances of people’s culture and share my own experiences, which led to more meaningful interactions. This approach transformed my internship into an opportunity for growth, allowing me to form friendships that transcended language barriers and deepened my understanding of global perspectives. This experience reinforced the importance of empathy and communication in overcoming challenges in diverse settings.

My time at the Gondwana Game Reserve went above and beyond any expectations I had. The past four weeks were of incredible growth, both professionally and personally. This internship was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am beyond grateful for. It was hard to choose only one thing, but the internship provided me with immense personal and professional growth in ways I could have not imagined. I gained so much data-collection experience, from game transects, the bird point counts, helped with the Elephant Reintegration Trust program, learned about the incredible local flora and fauna, and forged lasting connections and friendships I intend to keep nurturing in the coming years. It was also incredibly rewarding at the end to be able to successfully complete my personal GIS research project on Cape Mountain Zebra. I enormously appreciated how all the lectures and teachable moments turned into new knowledge and perceptions of the incredible habitats in South Africa that I did not have before. All the staff and peers I met along the way made this beautiful experience one that I will always remember and that it was very hard to say goodbye to. I am beyond grateful for all the staff that supported us with such dedication along our journey.

This GIS & Reserve Management internship was my first time traveling alone abroad and it is something I will never forget. Our supervisor ensured that we were supported with our GIS questions and that we were on track within our time frames. Alongside this, he consistently went out of his way to ensure we saw the whole reserve and everything that lived within it, with some unforgettable experiences with the lions, cheetah and elephants. I have also made new friends from across the globe who I look forward to meeting up again with and keeping in touch with moving forward.