Internships at Grootbos Foundation - partnerships that create magic

Dessi Pettersson, a 23-year-old Swedish student, is an intern at Grootbos Foundation. Dessi is busy with the final semester of her bachelor's degree in Economics and Sustainable Development at Lund University in Sweden. 

Within the first few minutes of meeting Dessi, it becomes clear that she is passionate about climate change and making a difference in the world. The pandemic put a stop to Dessi’s travel plans in 2021 so she immersed herself in her studies which only served to emphasize her desire to travel and experience first-hand what the world looks like to other cultures and nations.

Dessi’s research thesis will examine the role of our soup kitchen at the Masakhane Hub. Dessi seeks to understand and champion sustainability across three main pillars: the economy, society and the environment. To see the passion in everything that she commits to - community and conservation, working hand-in-hand together for the good of not only the people but the bigger picture - our environment, makes our hearts happy and swell with pride. 

Kirsty Koen studied Biodiversity Ecology at Stellenbosch University. She has completed Honours and plans to complete a Masters degree. 

‘Biodiversity’ refers to the wide varieties of living forms found on earth including the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live. 

Kirsty visited Grootbos Foundation two years ago and met the Green Futures Research team. She couldn’t wait to grab the opportunity to join the team as an intern. In her second year of university, Kirsty found herself being drawn towards Entomology (the study of insects) through a growing fascination with bees. 

Kirsty loves nature (specifically social insects) and grew up in a conservation-minded family watching David Attenborough documentaries, hiking and going camping as often as possible. 

Kirsty hopes to expand her knowledge of insects by spending this time working with the Green Futures Research team and observing scientific landscape research in action. Kirsty hopes to develop her hobby skill in illustration and art to share her love and joy in nature with others.

Grootbos Foundation values the contribution of interns like Dessi and Kirsty who bring youthful enthusiasm, brand new perspectives and a creative passion to their projects and Grootbos Foundation programmes. Grootbos Foundation welcomes interns whose research and areas of interest dovetail with our conservation and community ethos.

To apply to become an intern at Grootbos Foundation to contribute a youthful attitude, curiosity and energy to the programmes of a dynamic Non-Profit Organization that works in a wide variety of sectors from community to conservation, visit the link on the homepage of our website.