HELP TO PROTECT THE ATLANTIC RAINFOREST BY PROMOTING THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF ITS MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Travel to Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest, study endemic species of medicinal plants, and share traditional knowledge about their uses. You’ll work to stimulate production of medicines and cosmetics from native plants and demonstrate the economic benefits of conservation to local communities.
This long-standing organization works to restore the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and develop prosperous communities in a flourishing landscape. They run a range of projects in biodiversity and sustainability taking a multi-faceted approach to promoting a sustainable, income-based relationship between local communities and the forest. This project aims to establish a new paradigm among the Atlantic Forest communities showing that the forest’s native medicinal plants can be a vital source of health, income and economic empowerment.
As an intern, you’ll work with local community members, inviting them to share traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, as well as conducting independent research. Your work will help develop new ways to distill essential oils, create natural cosmetic products, produce aromatherapy remedies, and find viable ways for locals to profit from these products.
Founded in 1999, Iracambi is an accomplished conservation and sustainability focused non-profit organization located in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions: the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Their mission is to help reverse the effects of the climate crisis by restoring the rainforest.
They take a multi-faceted approach to this mission. Not only do they proactively plant their trees, they also work with local communities to create a paradigm shift by which the preservation and sustainable use of the forest is more attractive than its destruction. Among their projects are research into medicinal plants, huge-scale reforestation, and educational programs in local schools and communities. They’ve also hosted thousands of researchers, volunteers and interns and their alumni can be found in academia, business, the arts, and government across the world.
This is a small project fronted by a deeply passionate team. You’ll be helping to maintain and develop their numerous ongoing projects, so you can expect a great scope for variety in tasks. As such you’ll need to be adaptable, innovative, and a great team player.
You’ll stay at the Research Center, located in the outskirts of the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, 12 kilometers from the nearest city, Rosário da Limeria. Facilities at the center include accommodation for researchers, interns, and visitors, a computer lab, field laboratory, their multi-use Forest House, forest nursery, and systems of forest trails. You’ll either be in the main house or in one of their cozy cabins and take all your meals at their on-site restaurant.
Far from the big cities, it is extremely safe so you can relax and enjoy the the natural beauty on all sides. Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before yor internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. The organization is not located in a malarial area, but if you plan to travel to other parts of Brazil, such as the Pantanal or the Amazon, you will need a suitable prophylactic, which you can find in Brazil. Your doctor may also suggest Hepatitis B and Rabies, but you are unlikely to need them.
Though the organization takes precautions to ensure the safety of all interns and volunteers, they regret that they are not in a position to accept people with serious medical conditions or physical disabilities.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation for staying in touch with loved ones through WhatsApp, Facetime, etc.
All the meals will be prepared and served to you in the on-site restaurant. They also take recommendations for recipes so don’t be shy with sharing ideas and offering suggestions for meals. There also is a communal kitchen should you wish you prepare something yourself.
The center is located in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil that lies between Rio Grande do Norte and Rio Grande do Sul, stretching from the coast to the inland mountains. At an altitude ranging between 800 to 1300 meters, the forest’s vegetation and biomes have a great diversity including humid tropical forest, semi-deciduous tropical forest, low montane forest, and mangrove swamps.
Available from June 2024. Internship start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2024 rates)
8 WEEKS USD 2,032
12 WEEKS USD 3,048
16 WEEKS USD 4,064
20 WEEKS USD 5,080
26 WEEKS USD 6,604
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Brazil.
What you can expect from an internship in Brazil is immense personal growth, as well as professional development. You’ll dive into a vibrant culture and expand your horizons through cross-cultural interactions. You’ll gain hands-on experience in your chosen internship while building a big network of contacts and mentors along the way!
The minimum length of an internship in Brazil is two months, but the ideal length is closer to four months, or longer. This ensures you have the time to truly make a tangible impact during your time. However, our programs are customizable in length so you can apply for a summer, remote, hybrid, or gap-year internship!
Yes, but you must confirm with your university supervisor to approve this. It’s also possible to purchase transfer credits to add onto your internship experience.
Unfortunately, there is no form of stipend for internships in Brazil. Your internship will be unpaid while working with the nonprofit organization, but there are multiple ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge and the opportunities for professional and personal growth are invaluable!
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
