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Field Internship on Borneo, Indonesia

Are you interested in tropical forest conservation, sustainability, community engagement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Save the Orangutan (STO) and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) are looking for 10 motivated students for an international internship in Indonesia, Borneo between August and December 2026.

The program combines academic and theoretical understanding with 6–8 weeks of practical fieldwork in Indonesia, where you as a student will gain practical experience with local peat bog and tropical forest conservation in an intercultural environment.

About the internship

This internship provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical experience with:

• Local natural resource management in peat bog and tropical forests
• Practical skills in forest monitoring
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in practice

As a student, you will work with BOSF and local communities in East Kalimantan or Central Kalimantan.

The internship

Phase 1 – Preparation (August 2026)
Before departure, students will participate in a preparation course that includes:

• Introduction to the SDGs and community-based peatland forest conservation
• Intercultural communication and ethical field practices
• Health, safety and risk preparedness

Phase 2 – Field internship in Indonesia (September–November 2026)
The practical fieldwork lasts 6–8 weeks and includes:

• Introduction to BOSF’s conservation work and projects with local communities
• Training in monitoring tools and forest surveillance applications
• Participation in field visits, patrols and surveillance activities
• Contribute to planning and conducting workshops and training courses.
• Documentation and communication activities
• Reflection meetings and reporting related to the SDGs
• Development of case studies and internship reports

During the stay, you as a student will work closely with local staff and communities, while gaining insight into real-world challenges and solutions for nature conservation.

Phase 3 – Reporting and dissemination (November–December 2026)
After returning home, you are expected to:

• Submit an internship report
• Give a group presentation of a case to other students

Dissemination in Denmark (February and May 2027)

• Give a group presentation of a case to high school students
• Participate in a public seminar/lecture together with STO and BOSF

Practical information

• Number of participants: 10 students
• Total internship period: August–November/December 2026 as well as communication activities that take place after the internship ends.
• Internship duration: 6–8 weeks
• Location: Central and East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo)
• Hosts: Save the Orangutan (Denmark) and Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (Indonesia)

Who can apply?
The internship is relevant for students with an interest in:

• Environmental and natural resource management
• Forestry and nature conservation
• Sustainable development and the SDGs
• Anthropology, geography or development studies
• Sustainable community-based development

Application & Contact
Send your motivation and CV to ak@savetheorangutan.org, mark the subject line “Internship application – YOUR NAME”
For questions, please contact Program Manager at Save the Orangutan Arafa Khatib – ak@savetheorangutan.org

Application deadline: 1/6/2026