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students and technical experts: learn and be useful
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Volunteer to learn and apply entomological field and lab methods
Are you looking for an opportunity to learn about insect identification and field techniques? Immerse yourself as a volunteer at the MBC. As a student volunteer, you will work alongside MBC's entomologists in the processing of diverse insect collections with a focus on ants. You will first master identification of the orders of insects, then the ant genera, and then the curation and identification of mounted specimens. Once you have reached proficiently, you will then be ready to design and conduct your fieldwork or join an existing research expedition by MBC. MBC will arrange a collection permit for your field experience. Upon completion of your field trip, you will then devote your time to processing your research results under the guidance of the staff scientists at MBC.
In the field, you should be prepared for physical work in a hot climate, adventurous road journeys, and long walks to reach remote and beautiful sites. In the field, you will be camping, and meals will be simple, mainly consisting of rice and beans, supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables when available. You should bring supplies for camping including a backpack, tent, and a mat. You will also need to bring an explorer's mental strength to endure hunger, rain, biting insects - learning to ignore discomfort is a valuable lesson for any tropical field biologist.
The work and lifestyle are challenging but incomparably rewarding and should be within the capabilities of any reasonably fit person. Although being in good physical shape is essential, the ability to exhibit tolerance (in the field, there is often the occasion to be too wet, too tired, too hungry, too itchy), patience and a good sense of humor when things get tough is just as essential. So in addition to camping supplies, bring an explorer's mental strength to endure (and laugh) through hunger, rain, biting insects - learning to ignore discomfort is a valuable lesson for any tropical field biologist.
Volunteers need to cover their pre-departure costs including flights, visa, personal equipment, medical preparations and vaccinations, and volunteers will also need to ensure that they have appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their project. Your health insurance must cover evacuation insurance.
The cost to participate as a volunteer is $600 per month, including field time (if our staff is traveling with you). Thus for a 3month stay, your cost is $1800. This fee will cover airport pickup on arrival (Ivato Airport, TNR), housing at MBC's dormitory, access to the internet, training in lab techniques and help to organize your field trip. You are welcome to use MBC's kitchen to prepare your meals, but you need to cover all food costs. Also, you must cover all field related costs except permit.
In the field, you should be prepared for physical work in a hot climate, adventurous road journeys, and long walks to reach remote and beautiful sites. In the field, you will be camping, and meals will be simple, mainly consisting of rice and beans, supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables when available. You should bring supplies for camping including a backpack, tent, and a mat. You will also need to bring an explorer's mental strength to endure hunger, rain, biting insects - learning to ignore discomfort is a valuable lesson for any tropical field biologist.
The work and lifestyle are challenging but incomparably rewarding and should be within the capabilities of any reasonably fit person. Although being in good physical shape is essential, the ability to exhibit tolerance (in the field, there is often the occasion to be too wet, too tired, too hungry, too itchy), patience and a good sense of humor when things get tough is just as essential. So in addition to camping supplies, bring an explorer's mental strength to endure (and laugh) through hunger, rain, biting insects - learning to ignore discomfort is a valuable lesson for any tropical field biologist.
Volunteers need to cover their pre-departure costs including flights, visa, personal equipment, medical preparations and vaccinations, and volunteers will also need to ensure that they have appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their project. Your health insurance must cover evacuation insurance.
The cost to participate as a volunteer is $600 per month, including field time (if our staff is traveling with you). Thus for a 3month stay, your cost is $1800. This fee will cover airport pickup on arrival (Ivato Airport, TNR), housing at MBC's dormitory, access to the internet, training in lab techniques and help to organize your field trip. You are welcome to use MBC's kitchen to prepare your meals, but you need to cover all food costs. Also, you must cover all field related costs except permit.
Our recent Interns
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Expert Volunteers: apply your know how and make a difference
We need technical volunteers to solve problems and provide greater impact to our work. We will match your skills to our projects and challenges.
Expert volunteers need to cover their pre-departure costs including flights, visa, personal equipment, medical preparations and vaccinations, and volunteers will also need to ensure that they have appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their project. Your health insurance must cover evacuation insurance.
Expert volunteer must cover the cost of staying at the MBC center (monthly rate $400). The fee will cover airport pickup on arrival (Ivato Airport, TNR), housing at MBC's dormitory, access to the internet. You are welcome to use MBC's kitchen to prepare your meals, but you need to cover all food costs and all field related costs except permit.
Expert volunteers need to cover their pre-departure costs including flights, visa, personal equipment, medical preparations and vaccinations, and volunteers will also need to ensure that they have appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their project. Your health insurance must cover evacuation insurance.
Expert volunteer must cover the cost of staying at the MBC center (monthly rate $400). The fee will cover airport pickup on arrival (Ivato Airport, TNR), housing at MBC's dormitory, access to the internet. You are welcome to use MBC's kitchen to prepare your meals, but you need to cover all food costs and all field related costs except permit.
Reserve now
Most interns visit for a 4-month stay which includes a combination of lab and field work. If you are interested in applying to be an intern, send an email to info [at] madagascarbio.org a description of your interest, what you hope to gain from the internship and when you want to visit.
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