internships in costa rica

World Endeavors offers an exciting program that allows participants to experience Costa Rica in a meaningful way while gaining hands-on professional experience. Costa Rica's vibrant culture, amazing biodiversity, and breathtaking landscapes make it one of the ideal destinations in Latin America. This small Central American country of 3.5 million inhabitants is also home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Despite its beauty and wonderful people, Costa Rica still experiences the problems of many Latin American countries. With tourism ranking as Costa Rica's main industry, English education and environmental conservation are essential to the country’s growth. Internships are available in Education, Environmental Science, Social Work, and Tourism.

Atenas is a quaint town located in the central highlands roughly 45 minutes from the capital city of San Jose. The town of about 5,000 is made up of many surrounding communities that base their livelihood on growing coffee, oranges and mangos. Costa Rican history, tradition and culture are deeply rooted here. Atenas is very picturesque, with a laid-back atmosphere.

The World Endeavors Internship Guarantee
When you are accepted into the World Endeavors internship program, that is our guarantee that we can find you an internship in your chosen field. You will work with a World Endeavors internship placement staff member who will get to know you, your academic background, work experience, special skills, and professional goals. We will then work to find an internship placement that is a good match for both you and the host organization.

Participants are required to take a written language exam in order to assess the appropriate placement in language classes. A follow-up language interview will be conducted after participants arrive in Costa Rica. Many internships are available for absolute beginners in Spanish with little experience in their preferred field.

Pre-Departure Information: Upon Before participants embark, they will be provided a pre-departure guide that includes important details about their experience abroad. In addition to the guide, participants may contact World Endeavors any time prior to departure with questions.

Orientation:

Upon arrival in Costa Rica, interns are met at the airport and taken to their host family's home in Atenas. They will receive an orientation that will familiarize them with the town and the surrounding area, Costa Rican culture, and their program. For placements of two months or longer, participants will receive four weeks of Spanish language training.

Once the placement begins, participants will receive an additional mini-orientation at their internship site focusing on opportunities and responsibilities.

Housing:

Participants live with local Costa Rican familes in shared and single room accommodations. These accommodations are safe, clean, modest and comfortable, and they provide easy access to public transportation.

Participant Life:

In their free time, interns can spend time exploring Atenas, visiting the museums and markets of San Jose, or checking their e-mail at local internet cafes. Weekends can be spent visiting nearby cloud forests and volcanoes, or exploring Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Optional Excursions*
Participants will have the option to enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica through guided excursions. These excursions are day trips and guided by the local staff. Excursions include a beach visit, volcano trip, theater performance at the National Theater in San Jose, museum tour and tour of San Jose, and national park visits. Details about current excursions are available to interns upon arrival in Costa Rica.
* Optional excursions are not included in the program fee.

Cost and Dates :

Duration	1 month	2 months	3 months	4 months	5 months	6 months
Costs	X	$2,890.00	$3,370.00	$3,850.00	$4,330.00	$4,810.00

*1 month = 4 weeks

For 2009, there is an additional $150 housing fee per month for the Sea Turtle projects.

Participants can choose when they would like to start and the duration of their program. Start dates are flexible, but are based on the needs of the host company as well as the intern. Most internships range from 3-4 months. Check with a World Endeavors program advisor for alternate internship lengths.

We encourage interns to apply as far in advance as possible. Generally it is best to submit your application at least 12 weeks prior to your intended start date, but exceptions can be made if the intern is willing to work with World Endeavors to expedite the enrollment process. To submit an application, click on “Apply” in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Cost Includes:

Internship placement
Home stay accommodations
3 meals per day
On-site orientation
Travel medical insurance
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Cell phone rental
Intern services and learning support services
Pre-departure handbook and pre-trip guidance
English speaking representative in-country for your assistance
Four weeks of intensive language and cultural training
24/7 emergency phone support

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