Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences
Eligibility
Please make sure that you meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for the internship program:
-
Have completed at least 2 years of college. This internship is for upper level undergraduates or recent graduates (within the 12 months).
-
Be 18 years of age by the start date of the internship.
-
Be majoring in a life or environmental science.
-
Have at least 2 semesters of college-level ocean science, earth science, biology, or ecology.
-
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. (Copies of transcripts required.)
-
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with current college/university.
-
Have a valid passport that is not due to expire within 6 months of departure.
-
Be fluent in English.
-
Be comfortable in outdoor environments that can be extremely hot, sunny and humid.
-
Be respectful of and compatible with fellow students and staff.
-
Be able to adjust to life on a quiet, remote, tropical island.
-
Be open water SCUBA certified. ONLY FOR THE CORAL REEF RESEARCH INTERNSHIP. (Arrangements can be made to complete course on site.)
-
Be competent swimmers and comfortable in the water and on boats.
-
Be able to stay for the duration of the program. We will not accept students who need to arrive late or leave early.
-
Be willing to adhere to all RIMS policies and procedures. (See Terms & Conditions below)
Internship Fees & Inclusions
2024 Fee for 4-week Coral Reef Research Internship is $US $3,665
2024 Fee for 5-week Dolphin Training Internship is $US $4,581
Included in the Internship Program:
-
Accommodation. Students will be housed at Anthony's Key Resort in bungalow style cabins with twin bunks and on-suite bathroom. Expect 3-4 students per room. Rooms are not coed.
-
Meals. A full meal service is included and with advance notice we can accommodate special dietary restrictions.
-
All lab and classroom fees.
-
All diving, tanks and weights. Students will typically make 2- 3 dives a day for Coral Reef Research Internship.
-
Internet access.
-
An in-depth encounter and swim with our resident population of dolphins.
-
Airport transfers on Roatan.
-
All applicable taxes.
Not Included in the Internship Program:
-
Airfare. (Our reservations office can help assist you in making your flight reservations. (contact information is found at bottom of page.)
-
Dive Equipment. Students must have their own mask, fins and snorkel. Wetsuits are not required but are recommended. Dive computers and UW dive lights are also strongly recommended. BCDs and regulators are available to rent on site and at discounted rate for students.
-
Roatan Marine Park User's Fee of US$10.00
-
License to Hunt Lionfish. This license is optional but required if you wish to help with the Roatan Marine Park Management Plan. The cost for the workshop, spear & license is US$75.00
-
All beverages other than water, tea, coffee, milk and juices.
-
Personal entertainment expenses.
-
Laundry services (inexpensive off site & same day laundry services are available).
-
Medical Insurance. All students are required to purchase DAN diving insurance and need to ensure that their medical insurance policy has adequate overseas medical coverage.
-
Gratuities. While not mandatory you will get to know many members of the local support staff during the month you are here and any tips you wish to leave will be appreciated.
-
Tuition fees*
*Please Note: RIMS does not grant academic credit. Should you wish to get research or independent study credit for the Internship Program you should contact your Academic Advisor or Study Abroad office to arrange academic credit, course fees and payment schedule for the Internship Program.
Payments
Payment is due in full within 2 weeks of starting date for internship. Failure to complete payment will lead to loss of your spot, which may then be opened up and offered to another student.
Payments must be submitted through our stateside reservations office.
Amber Warren or Rosie Chavez -RIMS Reservations Coordinators
amber@bahiatours.com
12575 Orange Drive, Suite #302
Davie, Fl. 33330
Tel. 954-929-0090
Fax. 954-922-7478
Terms & Conditions
Due to the remote location and demanding working conditions, this internship may not be for everyone.
Included below are a few more things to consider before applying.
Accommodation:
-
Interns will be housed on property in dorm style bungalows with bunk beds and en suite bathroom. Rooms have louvered windows and fans. Rooms are not coed.
-
All meals are served in a dining area and shirt and/or bathing suit cover-ups are required. Please let the Intern Coordinator know in advance of your arrival if you are a vegetarian or have food allergies so we may accommodate your needs.
-
The water at our facility and in your rooms is treated and safe to drink.
-
Students must be respectful of and compatible with fellow interns and the other residents in the dormitory-style accommodations.
-
Weather on the island in August is hot and humid. Plan to spend long periods of time outdoors and in the ocean. The only 24-hour air conditioning is in the classrooms and dry lab.
-
This internship requires long hours of physical work outdoors in a variety of sea and weather
-
conditions. As such applicants must be in good physical condition, and feel comfortable
-
working on boats for extended periods.
-
Our facility and your accommodations are nestled in the lush tropical hillside. Encounters with mosquitoes, sand fleas, ants, termites, spiders, crabs, geckos and iguanas are unavoidable.
-
Wireless Internet access is available at no charge but service can be slow at times. Please limit what you download.
-
While a detailed schedule for the entire program will be provided upon acceptance, please keep in mind that inclement weather or other unforeseen events can change day-to-day plans.
-
Due to our remote location, food choices may be more limited then what you are accustomed to back home. Feel free to bring non-perishable snacks or food supplements with you. Trips to one of the island’s grocery stores can be arranged, but expect specialty items to be more expensive than comparable items in the US.
-
Our facility does not provide laundry service. Off site laundry service is available with same day pick up and drop and is relatively inexpensive.
-
A clinic, pharmacy and recompression chamber is located on site and the doctors are on call 24/7. Our physicians are well experienced in treating travel, tropical and dive related health issues. Please alert your Faculty Mentor or Intern Coordinator immediately if any health problem or illness should develop. Bring any medications you may need with you during your stay.
-
While a clinic and recompression chamber is on site, RIMS does not provide medical insurance. All students are required to purchase an overseas medical insurance policy and ensure they have adequate medical coverage.
-
DAN (Diver Alert Network) diving and evacuation insurance is required.
-
Personal expenses, and gratuities are the responsibility of the student.
-
All applicants should read the RIMS Diving Information and Intern Handbook and complete necessary forms and waivers prior to arrival in Roatan.
