Watch and Learn

  Iceland

Husavik

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 
Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 1st May-30th September

Description: Watch and learn about the whales in the North Atlantic by volunteering in the Husavik Whale Museum, just 40 miles below the Arctic Circle. The museum's exhbition covers 1.600 m2 and provides interesting information on whales and their habitat. The major tasks will be working in the museum and participating in the whale research. The volunteers will perform museum guidings in english and/or mother tongue to inform and educate the people about whales, work at the reception, improve text and translations, and help with general maintenance such us cleaning or repairs. Special projects, such as exhibit improvements, as need arises and in accordance with personal skills. In context of the museum's research, the volunteers will collect data from whale watching boats on regular basis.

Highlights: Húsavík is a small fishing town, located in the Northeast of Iceland, at the shores of Skjálfandi Bay. The town is known for excellent opportunities to watch whales in the wild during the summer months. The whale museum has a special agreement with one of the whale watching operators in town, to utilize whale watching boats as platform for collecting data in context of the museum's whale research. The volunteers have the opportunity to participate in the research and take turns in taking one whale watching trip per day, to collect the data. The research method performed is photo identification, which means taking pictures of the individuals and the features that distinguish them, and collecting data such as the species, the amount seen, the weather conditions and the position using GPS. The project also includes data entry into the existing catalogue after each trip.   

Qualifications: Preferably students or post-graduates in marine biology, biology, museology, graphic design or marketing.

Cost in US$: 500

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: yes

Previous experience of working and living abroad desired

Typical Volunteer: Special interest in whales and marine life. Motivated to work voluntary, performing all tasks needed for the daily operation of a public facility. Open-minded and flexible to share accommodation with a group of international people. Being self-sufficient and able to live in a small, secluded community.

Age Range: 21-40

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Iceland Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 3

Scholarships are Available. - Grants for European participants have been available at: Erasmus Leonardo

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Husavik Whale Museum's Mission Statement: The Whale Museum is a non-profit organization that was established to form the educational component to the whale watching tours departing Husavik during the summer time. Its purpose is to educate the public about the marine ecosystem and cetacean species inhabiting the worlds oceans. The museum has been constantly growing and emphasizes not only education but also science. The educational component presents informative and attractive exhibits on topics that have the ability to raise awareness about cetaceans and their environment. The scientific component includes an introduction to the museums research, which has been expanding since 2001 and now includes international collaborations and publications. The museum was formally acknowledged as an educational facility by the Icelandic Ministry of Education in 2007.

Year Founded: 1997