Internship Eligibility

Please review the eligibility requirements below before applying. Applicants must meet these requirements to be considered for an internship.

Applicants must:

Have completed at least two years of college and be an upper-level undergraduate or a recent graduate (within the past 12 months).
Be at least 18 years old by the internship start date.
Be majoring in a life or environmental science.
Have completed at least two semesters of college-level coursework in ocean science, earth science, biology, or ecology.
Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and provide a copy of their transcript.
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing at their college or university.
Hold a valid passport that will remain valid for at least six months after departure.
Be fluent in English.
Be comfortable outdoors in hot, sunny, and humid conditions.
Be respectful and able to work well with fellow students and staff.
Be prepared to adjust to life on a quiet, remote tropical island.
Be a competent swimmer and comfortable in the water and on boats.
Be available for the full program. Applicants cannot arrive late or leave early.
Agree to follow all RIMS policies and procedures outlined in the Terms & Conditions below.

Coral Reef Research Internship only: Applicants must be Open Water SCUBA certified. Arrangements may be made to complete the certification course on site.

Internship Inclusions

4-week Coral Reef Research Internship and 5-week Dolphin Training Internship

What’s Included

Accommodations: Interns stay in dorm-style rooms at Anthony’s Key Resort. Each room has bunk beds and en suite bathrooms and accommodates up to six interns. Rooms are not co-ed.
Meals: Full meal service is included. Dietary needs may be accommodated with advance notice.
Laboratory and classroom fees.
Diving, tanks, and weights. Coral Reef Research interns typically make two to three dives per day.
Internet access.
An in-depth encounter and swim with the resident dolphin population.
Airport transfers on Roatan.
Applicable taxes.

Not Included

Airfare: The reservations office can assist with flight arrangements.
Dive equipment: Students must bring their own mask, fins, and snorkel. Wetsuits are recommended but not required. Dive computers and underwater dive lights are strongly recommended. BCDs and regulators are available to rent on site at a discounted student rate.
Roatan Marine Park user fee: US$10.
Lionfish hunting license: Optional. A workshop, spear, and license are required to participate in activities supporting the Roatan Marine Park Management Plan. The cost is US$75.
Beverages: Beverages other than water, tea, coffee, milk, and juice.
Personal entertainment expenses.
Laundry service. Inexpensive, same-day laundry service is available off-site.
Medical insurance: Students must purchase DAN diving insurance and ensure their medical insurance policy provides adequate coverage overseas.
Gratuities. Tipping is not required, but is appreciated by local support staff.
Tuition fees.

PLEASE NOTE: RIMS does not grant academic credit. Students seeking research or independent study credit should contact their academic advisor or study abroad office to arrange credit, course fees, and payment schedule.

Terms & Conditions

The remote location and physically demanding work may make this internship unsuitable for some applicants. Please review the following information before applying.

Accommodations and Meals

Interns stay on the property in dorm-style bungalows with bunk beds and en suite bathrooms. Rooms are not co-ed.
Meals are served at Ankor Seafood Grill at Anthony’s Key Resort. There is no formal dress code, but guests are asked to wear a shirt, bottoms, and shoes. For safety, please do not enter the restaurant wearing wet footwear, wetsuits, dive skins, umbrellas, or dive booties.
Inform the Intern Coordinator before arrival if you are vegetarian or have food allergies so the team can discuss your needs.
Water at the facility and in the rooms is treated and safe to drink.
Interns are expected to be respectful of and considerate toward fellow interns and other residents in the shared accommodations.
Laundry service is not provided on site. An inexpensive off-site service offers same-day pickup and drop-off.

Work and Island Conditions

The weather in Roatan is hot and humid. Expect to spend extended periods outdoors and in the ocean. Air conditioning is available 24 hours a day only in the classrooms and the dry laboratory.
The internship involves long hours of physical work outdoors in varied sea and weather conditions. Applicants should be in good physical condition and comfortable spending extended periods on boats.
The facility and accommodations are nestled in a tropical hillside. Mosquitoes, sand fleas, ants, termites, spiders, crabs, geckos, and iguanas are part of the environment.
The remote island setting may mean fewer food choices than you are used to. You may bring non-perishable snacks or food supplements. Trips to a local grocery store can be arranged, though specialty items may cost more than comparable products in the United States.
A detailed schedule will be provided upon acceptance. Weather and other unforeseen circumstances may affect daily plans.

Internet and Medical Care

Wireless internet is available at no charge, though service may be slow. Please limit large downloads.
A clinic, pharmacy, and hyperbaric chamber are located on site. Doctors are on call 24 hours a day and have experience treating travel-related, tropical, and diving health concerns. Notify your Faculty Mentor or Intern Coordinator promptly if you become ill or develop a health concern. Bring any medications you may need.
RIMS does not provide medical insurance. All students must purchase overseas medical insurance and confirm that their policy provides adequate coverage.
DAN (Divers Alert Network) diving and evacuation insurance is required.

Other Requirements

Personal expenses and gratuities are the student’s responsibility.
Before arriving in Roatan, applicants should read the RIMS Diving Information and Intern Handbook and complete all required forms and waivers.