Letter to a Future Intern

Dear Future Intern, 

Congratulations! You are about to begin an unforgettable experience as an intern at Project Chimps. Everyone here is eager to meet you, and before long, this place will begin to feel like a second home for you. 

Starting any new job can feel overwhelming, and this internship is no exception. I remember following my mentor around like a lost puppy during my first two weeks, trying to remember where everything went and standing around awkwardly at times. You have so much to learn, and it can seem like everyone else has everything figured out. The truth is: you will make mistakes. And that’s okay. No one expects you to know everything right away. You’re here to learn and make the most of this experience. Ask questions, take notes, and join projects that interest you. Every intern before you has stood where you are. 

The work is physically demanding. Chimpanzee husbandry isn’t glamorous, and it takes a toll on your body. I remember finishing one room and thinking, “There’s more!” as a wave of exhaustion hit me. By lunchtime, I felt ravenous. When I finally crawled into bed that night, every muscle ached. 

The amazing thing is how quickly your body adapts. Week by week, you slowly become used to the work until it no longer feels strenuous. You might still feel tired, sure, but your muscles will no longer protest quite so loudly and your shoulders will stop knotting up as they once did. Before you know, tasks that once seemed exhausting will feel like second nature. 

Now let’s talk about the reason you’re here: the chimps! When I walked into the villa on my first day, the sounds, smells, and sight of chimpanzees overwhelmed me. I could hardly believe they stood only two feet away. 

What’s more is you’ll build relationships with the chimps. Each one has a distinct personality, and getting to know them is the best part of the internship. Although there is never direct contact with the chimps, both for their safety and ours, you still form meaningful relationships through your interactions. 

When I first met my favorite chimp: Harriett, she spat water at me. I smiled, thinking she was feisty, and decided I liked her. Since then, I’ve had lots of positive experiences with her and other chimps, playing chase through the mesh, exchanging head nods (a chimp greeting), and scattering food for them. When watching them solve enrichment puzzles, I marvel at their inventiveness and persistence. 

Life in the cabin feels like summer camp. Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, it’s surrounded by forests and wildlife. On quiet afternoons, I hike nearby trails, swing in the gazebo by the pond, or feed the koi fish. At sunset, fireflies fill the sky and remind me of summers from my childhood. 

On my days off, I usually dedicated one day to rest and the other to exploring. Blue Ridge is a wonderful town, so get out and explore when you can. It’s easy to feel isolated, especially if you don’t have a car and rely on others for transportation, so take advantage of every opportunity. Nature surrounds you, and I spent many days hiking to waterfalls, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or relaxing at the lake. 

If you are working full-time and taking advantage of the free housing, it’s important to note that the cabin is shared, and during the day part of it doubles as office space for administration staff. Certain cabinets and one fridge is reserved for staff so everyone works together to make the remaining space last. 

At one point I shared the cabin with six other people. The refrigerator was packed to the brim, and finding your yogurt often meant digging through everyone else’s groceries first. We labeled our food with stickers after each Walmart trip and constantly reorganized shelves to make room. We also tried to stagger our cooking, although several of us still squeezed into the kitchen on busy evenings, bumping elbows while making dinner. 

Living with so many people means communication is vital. Set up a cleaning schedule early. We typically unloaded the dishwasher each morning and loaded it throughout the day. On our days off, we deep-cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. We rotated trash duty and generally agreed to clean up after ourselves. 

Despite the shared living space being less than ideal, I came to love the people I was surrounded by. My fellow interns became some of my closest friends. We took trips together, watched movies, cooked and baked for one another, and hiked whenever we could. We also loved introducing Floortje, an intern from the Netherlands, to American culture. We taught her new English words every day and watched her try Twinkies and other American treats for the first time. When I first arrived, my mom told me, “These are the friends you’ll keep for life,” and I wholeheartedly agree. 

My final piece of advice is to remember why you’re here. Every chimpanzee at the sanctuary has suffered because of humans. Take pride in helping them enjoy the best retirement possible. I hope you have an incredible time here, it truly is an extraordinary experience.

If you are interested in doing an internship at Project Chimps, learn how here.