Natural Resources and Wildlife in Bulgaria

  Bulgaria

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Throughout the year (6 weeks to 52 weeks)

Description: Immerse yourself in a short term volunteer project (2-8 weeks) or an internship (9-52 weeks) in a rich cultural, service learning experience that combines cross-cultural and sustainable development training with a hands-on service project.

Isla offers opportunities for individuals with majors or experience in natural resources, wildlife biology, environmental conservation and education, and ecotourism, IT, GIS, fundraising, and management to serve on projects with the following host organizations .

* Green Balkans Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Center in Stara Zagora

Green Balkans is seeking two interns to volunteer alongside four European volunteers in the centre. The volunteers are primarily involved the daily work for the complete care of the animals, including receiving the injured animals, food preparation and feeding, cleaning, observation, help in some specific veterinary work, the breeding program for injured birds, and the release of successfully recovered animals. Volunteers will understand how the rescue centre works as a whole and the complete rehabilitation process. From this experience and interaction they can create their own picture, discover for themselves their own area of interest and contribute to the activity.

* The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB)
   - Wildlife and Wetlands Interns may serve BSPB by working with one or several projects related to (1) Danube wetlands, (2) the Northern Black Sea Coast field station in the village of Durankulak (the terrestrial border with Romania) to deal with two lakes, important for the globally threaten waterfowl species but also for the local fishery. (3) Bourgas on the Black Sea where BSPB is expected to begin a project that deals with a complex wetlands management project to start in 2010. (4) GIS training to staff and local volunteers. (5) Teach English to BSPB staff to prepare them for future work on European Union projects for which English is the working language.
   - Wildlife volunteers and interns may wish to serve on a raptor project where BSPB is engaged in protecting endangered species.

* BSPB's Nature Conservation Centers in Madzharovo in the Eastern Rhodopi Mountains, and
* BSPB's Nature Conservation Center Poda in Bourgas on the Black Sea whose mission is to protect the nature of the regions through environmental education and such conservation activities

* BlueLink Information Network is a virtual network of Bulgarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) based in Sofia, which offers a variety of Internet-based services for NGOs and others interested in issues related to the environment, natural resources and sustainable development. It focuses on three areas: access to information, co-operation between NGOs and other sectors, and access to the new technologies of information in order to support sustainable development, democracy and civil society. In Bulgarian and English.

Isla will match your particular skill set and interests to the appropriate host organization. Please contact Isla for more information and we will help you find the program that best suits your needs and interests.

Highlights: Why Isla? Isla offers...

* Individual short term volunteer and internship placements unique to your skill set facilitated and supervised through a local host organization.

* Opportunities to work with community initiated projects focused on sustainable development.

* Sustainable development training from Village Earth, one of the leading community based development training organizations in the U.S., prior to departure to destination.

* Flexible programs from 2-9 week volunteer opportunities to 9-52 week internships as well as 2-3 week alternative break service learning trips.

* In-country cross-cultural orientation and mid-term reflection and training sessions led by Isla group leaders.

* An ideal opportunity to gain experience in your field of study and authentic international work experience beneficial in a competitive economy...

Isla programs are designed to assist communities with their worthy endeavors, provide volunteers with practical education in sustainable community development, and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Qualifications: Isla applicants should be 18 or older and possess a desire to learn about and live in another culture. Some experience or education in one or more of the following: natural resources, wildlife biology, conservation biology, wildlife rehabilitation, and environmental education. It is most important to be highly motivated and enthusiastic because the work is quite demanding. Both BSPB and Green Balkans are looking for people who are very passionate about nature. Candidates should be at undergraduate or graduate levels, though we do have some positions for gap years, working professionals, or retirees.

Qualities required are: individuals who are adventurous, able to adapt quickly to a foreign environment, have the ability to take initiative, who are flexible, open-minded, and service-oriented, and who possess good communication skills and a desire to have fun by serving and learning from new communities and environments through cross-cultural exchange.

Application Process
-Online Application
-Statement of Purpose
-Resume/CV
-Non-refundable application fee of $85
-2 References

Cost in US$: From $3780 USD for 9 weeks with each additional week increasing by $195, plus $85 application fee.

Not included: Domestic and international airfare and airport taxes, the cost of your passport, visas, and immunizations, and laundry service.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Isla - International Service Learning Alliance 's Mission Statement: Isla- International Service Learning Alliance - offers unique volunteer and internship opportunities for individuals to work side by side with local community members who are trying to solve global problems at the local level. These partnerships provide a framework for people from different cultures and life experiences to learn from one another, discover their commonality and create a synergy that catalyzes progress. For the participant, Isla programs provide a rich cultural, service learning experience that combine cross-cultural and sustainable development training with a high impact hands-on service project. Isla programs assist communities with their worthy endeavors, provide volunteers with practical education in sustainable community development, and promote cross-cultural understanding.