Scuba diving guide
We would like to inform our community that we have decided to discontinue our collaboration with our marine projects in the Seychelles and Fiji.
This decision reflects a positive development: these projects have now reached full operational autonomy. They benefit from sufficient funding, a steady number of participants, and strong local capacities, allowing them to continue their conservation and research activities independently.
At Realstep, our mission is to focus our support where it can make the greatest and most immediate impact.
We therefore prioritize and promote independent marine projects facing more pressing needs and actively seeking committed volunteers, including:
Discover all our current marine conservation internships and scientific research programs through our dedicated project pages.
Develop your scuba diving skills with this training program in the tropical waters of the Seychelles and Thailand.
This experience will not only allow you to have a positive impact on ecosystems and contribute to sustainable development through various actions but also to join a multicultural team while training with experienced professionals.
Obtain your PADI Divemaster qualification and boost your career by joining our diving and marine conservation training in the endless turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, on the island of Mahé, followed by southern Thailand.
Travel through the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean and contribute to essential marine research projects. By following this comprehensive training program, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the Seychelles’ marine ecosystem and then put this knowledge into practice by joining a team to compile crucial research on tropical coral reefs and fish species.
You will receive the PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (RESD) specialty as part of the PADI Divemaster training. This unique opportunity teaches you best practices for conducting underwater studies on coral reefs.
In Thailand, you will obtain your PADI Dive Master and work in a local dive shop, allowing you to dive or snorkel regularly, learn how to organize and lead dives, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the diving industry.
Depending on weather conditions and the week’s program, dives occur one or two times per day, five days a week. On the other days, you will conduct marine debris surveys or lead environmental education and awareness sessions with local community members, depending on the project’s needs at that time.
The staff will often give presentations throughout the week, and study time is included in the daily schedule. The days start early, with boat preparations or training, and end with dinner, followed by an evening debriefing where we share with the group all the exciting things we’ve seen and review the next day’s program.
After that, it’s time to relax, admire the stunning sunset, and socialize with your new friends! The base dogs (who love getting lots of attention) will also keep you company.
Travel in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean and contribute to essential marine research projects. By following this comprehensive training program, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the marine ecosystem of the Seychelles, and then apply this knowledge in practice by joining a team to compile crucial research on tropical coral reefs and fish species.
You will receive the PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (RESD) specialty as part of your PADI Divemaster training. This unique opportunity will teach you best practices for conducting underwater studies on coral reefs.
In Thailand, you will earn your PADI Dive Master certification and work at a local dive shop, giving you the opportunity to dive or snorkel regularly, learn how to organize and lead dives, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the diving industry.
Depending on the weather conditions and the week's schedule, dives occur once or twice a day, five days a week. On other days, you will either conduct marine debris surveys or engage in environmental education and awareness sessions with the local community, depending on the project's needs at that time.
The staff will often give presentations throughout the week, and study time is included in the daily schedule. Days start early, with boat preparations or training, and end with dinner followed by an evening debriefing where we share all the exciting things we've seen and review the program for the next day.
Afterward, it’s time to relax, enjoy the beautiful sunset, and chat with your new friends! The base dogs (who love receiving attention) will also keep you company.
Just a three-minute walk from the beach, our base is located in a protected and secluded area within the Baie Ternay Marine National Park, set in a picturesque location with a tropical climate.
The building, originally a school, has been transformed into an environmentally-friendly research base, with classrooms for presentations, a library containing books and resources on marine identification, and a recreational room to relax after a day of diving. There are also giant hammocks and a large lawn for volleyball.
Festive evenings, movie nights, and BBQ parties are also organized. Outdoors, there are spaces designed to relax and enjoy your free time. Life on base resembles that of a big family where chores, cooking, cleaning, and diving operations preparation are shared on a rotating basis.
The base is environmentally conscious, with a recycling area and bins for cultivating local endemic plant species using rainwater. If you’d like, you can bring your own ideas and get involved in more environmentally-friendly practices, such as eco-crafting and non-recyclable storage methods.
The building, originally a school, has been transformed into an environmentally friendly research base, with classrooms for presentations, a library containing books and resources on marine identification, and a recreation room to relax after a day of diving. There are also giant hammocks and a large lawn for volleyball.
Festive nights, movie nights, and BBQ parties are also organized. Outside, there are spaces to relax and enjoy free time. Life on the base is like that of a big family, where household chores, cooking, cleaning, and diving operations preparations are shared on a rotating basis.
As the base is environmentally conscious, it has a recycling area and bins for growing local endemic plant species, which use collected rainwater. If you wish, you can bring your own ideas and get involved in more eco-friendly practices, such as DIY eco-projects and non-recyclable storage methods.
This program is available up to 24 weeks, contact us to know price and availability.
| Duration | Fees to be paid upon registration |
|---|---|
| 24 Weeks | 18545€ |
Housing is allocated by local NGOs, not by Freepackers - the descriptions are there to give you an idea of the type of accommodation, as it is very likely that conditions will vary on site depending on the number of volunteers, weather conditions, availability, etc. Each volunteer will be accommodated according to the stated conditions, but it is possible that the accommodation may not match the description or images shown on this site word for word, for example, in the case of annexed housing, renovations, relocations, etc.
You will sleep in dormitories that can accommodate up to eight people. The bathrooms (non-mixed) are shared, with showers and toilets. The entire building is equipped with electricity.
The base consists of two buildings: one contains a kitchen with a dining area and outdoor seating. The second building (two stories) includes the participants' dormitories, the preparation room, staff accommodations, the office, and the conference room.
Taste the many flavors of Seychellois cuisine, from fresh coconut water sipped straight from the fruit to green papaya salad.
Breakfast includes the usual range of eggs, bacon, pancakes, porridge, and fruit. Lunch and dinner vary depending on the day. Typical meals include curries, stir-fries, pasta, pies, and salads.
Many participants also purchase their own snacks, such as banana chips and dried salted fish, available in the local shops of Port Launay.
Communication
We are based in a protected nature reserve, which means that mobile signal does not cover the entire area; however, there are some spots where phone coverage is good. We have a phone on-site for emergencies.
For more reliable and faster internet connection, most participants get a local SIM card upon arrival.
Please contact the embassy or immigration website of the country you wish to enter.
You can find all ressources on the World Organization Website, in the Travel Advice section A vaccine vial.
For all international projects, Realstep requires participants to take out travel insurance covering accidents, illness, and repatriation, as well as civil liability for professional activities abroad.
For complete protection while studying or interning abroad, you can take out Cap Student insurance online by following this link Student insurance abroad | Chapka Assurances, which will give you a 5% discount.
If you take out another insurance policy, we will ask you to send us a copy of your certificate in English.
Achieve the language level required for your international project with tailored support. The Clic-campus method Free Packers X Clic Campus foreign language training courses combines videoconference lessons and an innovative e-learning platform, offering complete flexibility from the comfort of your own home.
A gap year is a period (often 6 to 12 months) during which you temporarily pause your studies or work to have a meaningful, structured experience: travel, volunteering, internship, job, personal project…
It can be done at any time, for the duration you choose, and in the field you want. The goal is to help you explore new possibilities for your personal and/or professional path.
Real Step offers a wide range of gap year programs abroad in various fields.
Anyone! A gap year can be taken at any age and is not limited to 18–25-year-olds. It can be done at any stage of life—whether for a career change, a lifestyle change, to explore different options, or to refine a professional project.
A gap year allows you to:
It depends on the country and your project. Make sure to budget for:
Internships during a gap year are varied, and you have a wide choice of fields:
Interns are accommodated in shared houses, hostels, or sometimes with local host families. You will have access to all essential amenities and are often close to shops so you can easily find what you need.
Departure dates are flexible; it is possible to leave every week. Please contact us to find out about program availability.
This depends on the missions. Local coordinators are on site to facilitate communication, but a minimum B1 level is often recommended to communicate locally. Some technical or research placements may require a higher level.
You can take language classes before you leave for your project.
The participation requirements are listed on each program page.
Yes, you will have a local coordinator on site as your main point of contact to answer your questions, ensure your safety, and support you if needed. You will always have an orientation upon arrival, including: an introduction to the project, the local team, your missions, and the rules to follow. The team also explains safety guidelines (recommended behavior, areas to avoid).
Local emergency assistance is available 24/7. We remain reachable throughout the entire project.
In addition, the projects we offer are carefully selected with reliable partners and in suitable destinations.
Internship schedules may vary depending on your program. In general, you will work between 30 and 40 hours per week. We specify these conditions on the program pages or in the downloadable brochures.
Yes, absolutely! Real Step internships are open to solo travelers, pairs, or groups. Many schools and students even organize group departures through our programs.
There are many diverse destinations: Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America—all around the world!
By joining a project with us, you are supported at every step.
You can contact us to explain your situation. If you have valid reasons to request a new placement, we will send you a request form. You will be informed as soon as a spot becomes available. You will then be able to change location, subject to availability.
There are different ways to finance part of your project. We have several resources to help you find funding support, whether through student mobility scholarships, Erasmus+ funding for projects in Europe, or regional grants. Some volunteers have also organized group fundraising initiatives.
For young people aged 18 to 30, it is possible to go abroad with a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) and work on site to finance part of the project.
Even without financial aid, a well-prepared project can be made accessible through a mix of “savings + fundraising + a job on site”.
Find all the information on funding your internship in this article.
The price covers accommodation, supervision, part of the local organization (meals, orientation), Freepackers’ expertise, and support for the projects. Part of the project fee is used to help develop the project on site. Our teams visit the projects to ensure they are safe, useful, and reliable.
Yes, you will have free time and you can go out, visit places, and travel, especially on weekends. You just need to respect the program’s organization (schedule, mission days) and follow the safety guidelines given by the local team. In some destinations, the team can also recommend places to explore.
Here are the essential mandatory steps to complete:
Other steps may be necessary depending on the type of internship, the country, or other factors.
Our team will provide you with all the information you need.
No, most of the internships we offer are unpaid, but this can vary depending on the host organization, the duration, and the country.
Yes, many students have validated their internship through Real Step projects. Our placements meet schools’ academic requirements.
A wide range of internships is available, and our programs are suitable for many engineering fields, such as:
Feel free to contact us to learn about all our internship opportunities.
See our Ultimate Guide to Succeeding in Your Engineering Internship.
This can vary depending on your school and your year of study, but in general you can go for 4 to 16 weeks.
Three months is often the duration required by schools to help you develop skills. To learn more about 3-month engineering internships.
Your missions can vary greatly depending on your specialty and your level of study and commitment, but overall you will be asked to take part in:
The goal is to encourage the practical application of the knowledge you have gained during your studies—skills you will be able to highlight later on.
Find our detailed advice in our guide Engineering internship cover letter: land an international experience.
Yes, many students have validated their internship through Real Step projects. Our placements meet schools’ academic requirements.
We offer many internships in a wide range of areas, such as:
Even though some details vary depending on the country, here are the main steps:
To understand the exact process, we recommend reading this article in detail.
You can go on a WHV to the following destinations:
Check our website to make sure you don’t miss a program—or contact us!
The budget needed for a WHV depends on the country you choose, your lifestyle, and the length of your stay.
Expenses to plan for:
Yes. You can take English or Spanish courses before you leave, or even during your project.
Course schedules are flexible depending on your goal. You can choose to take a few hours per week, or fully focus on your language courses over a longer period to prepare for a project such as a WHV or a job abroad.
Les Français n’ont pas besoin de visa pour aller au Japon pour des séjours de moins de 3 mois, le passeport suffit. En revanche, un business visa ou un visa vacances travail (working holiday visa) sont indispensables pour rester plus de 3 mois, par exemple si vous prévoyez de travailler ou de faire un stage au Japon. Il faut alors faire la démarche à la section consulaire de l’Ambassade.
Il est de votre responsabilité de choisir le bon visa pour votre projet.
Les conditions de visa peuvent changer et le visa dépend de la nature de votre projet. Veuillez toujours vérifier sur France Diplomatie avant de réserver votre billet et de partir pour un programme et de vous y prendre en avance.
Traditionally, Japanese dress codes are formal: a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie. However, foreign businesspeople can dress as they normally would in their home country. It is also often customary to remove your shoes (at home, in some restaurants, etc.).
The yen is Japan’s official currency.
The cost of living in Japan is 2.6% higher than in France.
When traveling, plan for an on-site budget of at least €80 per day per person (¥11,595 per day).
Most dietary requirements (kosher, vegetarian, halal, etc.) can be accommodated, provided you request it well in advance.
Our local partners in Tokyo arrange airport pick-up at the international airport every Friday. For students enrolled in internships outside the city, instructions for reaching the final destinations will be provided in advance or upon arrival.
Either in the main residence in Tokyo, at the internship location when it is remote (natural reserves, for example), or with a host family. This sea turtle conservation internship in Japan includes accommodation. Japan’s housing shortage has triggered an unprecedented surge in prices, so it is strongly recommended to have accommodation arranged in advance for at least the first month of your stay.
Working holiday and internship programs include free time every weekend so participants can explore the surrounding area. Project coordinators and local organizations are always happy to share advice on places to visit and the excursions available on weekends.
It depends on the program you choose. For those who want to stay for 1 year on a Working Holiday Visa on projects involving a paid job like this one, it is strongly recommended to take Japanese classes upon arrival (4 weeks of intensive courses) to broaden your job search options.
In fact, most jobs in retail, services, or the hospitality industry require an intermediate level of Japanese. For 3-month internships, these can be done in tourism organizations that only require English. Farm work does not require a high level of Japanese either.
To travel to Japan, spring—especially April/May—is the recommended period. Summer in Japan is the rainy season. June and July are particularly wet, and the heat starts to build. Temperatures range between 25°C and 30°C.
Currently, people who are allowed to travel to Japan are not required to be vaccinated. For real-time updates, we invite you to consult the Institut Pasteur website.
The local partner provides 24/7 assistance. Participants receive the coordinators’ contact details in advance, as well as an emergency number to call. The coordinators are available at all times, during the week and on weekends.
Look into official channels to find opportunities. It is also important to adapt your application to the country’s norms (the CV and cover letter are different).
Finally, Real Step offers internships in Japan in various fields that may interest you! In ecology or even IT, communication, marketing, etc.
It depends on the company and the length of the internship. In Japan, working conditions are different, so it’s important to focus above all on learning and cultural immersion.
