The 20-year-old is one of nine international volunteer finalists in the 2017 IVHQ Wildlife and Conservation Volunteer Abroad Scholarship, supported by World Nomads and Global travel Academy.

Should Amara win she will realise her dream through a sponsored volunteer trip to support IVHQ’s Turtle Conservation project in Costa Rica.

‘’Every day that I would spend volunteering abroad would teach me a new skill, or new knowledge that will stay with me for the rest of my life and I will be able to apply in my future travels or career,’’ she said.

Currently working towards a qualification in Veterinary Nursing, the conservation biology student has volunteered at Taronga Zoo, and has seen first hand the amazing animals that have fuelled her love of wildlife and conservation.

And through her own experiences, Amara has developed a passion for conservation.

‘’My experiences working with wildlife have been some of the most challenging, but the most rewarding experiences of my life,’’ she said.

‘’The feeling that overcomes me when I see an animal which I have helped care for released into the wild, or when you get the first glimpse of a wild animal that you have been tracking for days, through muddy mountains in monsoonal rain is indescribable.’’

The New Zealand-based volunteer travel organisation received more than 5000 applications for the scholarship. The nine finalists come from the USA, Australia, Nicaragua, Ireland and Britain.

The winner will be determined by popular vote. Visit www.www.volunteerhq.org/ to vote for Amara.