With a thriving economy and an international reputation as a premier eco-tourism destination, Costa Rica offers interns the best of many worlds. Those looking to enhance their work experience while enjoying a new, warm culture and climate will find the perfect fit while interning in Costa Rica.
World Endeavors offers internships in a wide range of professional fields in Costa Rica, and our advisors are proud of their ability to find great opportunities in unique and highly specialized fields.
Featured Fields
Healthcare
Healthcare interns in Costa Rica have worked with both clinics and hospitals. A past intern worked with a private medical clinic and was able to observe the doctors and other professional staff on site. Tasks involved doing rotations in different areas of the clinic, assisting nurses by changing beds, washing wounds, observing surgeries, as well as translating for English speaking patients.
*Please note there may be an additional fee for some Healthcare placements.
Occupational Therapy
Intern with an organization that provides therapies and early interventions for children with developmental delays - regardless of their income. This clinic uses play as the main vehicle for teaching. Interns have exposure to other therapies like physical therapy and speech/language therapy to get a big picture view of developmental interventions.
Join the welcoming team at an elderly care facility, where you will assist with OT sessions along with daily health and wellness routines. Interns also gain experience with a wide range of therapeutic techniques, in addition to OT.
Please note there may be an additional fee for some Occupational Therapy placements.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy interns in Costa Rica have worked in both senior homes and clinics. A past intern worked with a pain clinic and was able to observe and work with the Physical Therapist on staff. Tasks at this internship included assisting the the physical therapist with connecting electrodes, magnets, and hot/cold presses to the patients, helping patients with their daily exercise routines, assisting with ultrasounds and electro therapy, as well as observing magneto therapy and radio frequency therapy.
Other fields offered in Costa Rica include:
Agricultural Sciences interns work to analyze the impact of farming practices and help to employ new, more sustainable, and cost-effective models.
Coaching and Sports Management interns help with marketing and promotion efforts, plan events, and manage facilities for athletic teams as well as learn about the business side of sports.
Culinary Arts interns work side by side with professionals in the kitchens of fine restaurants, gaining firsthand experience with the culture and cuisine of their host country.
Education interns assist local educators in primary and secondary schools and other institutions to promote learning in the classroom and in the local community.
Reforestation in La Fortuna
Join a reforestation project on the banks of a small river flowing through a well-known, locally owned wildlife and nature reserve just outside of La Fortuna. The goal of this project is to protect the aquifer and create a biological corridor that connects the trail with another secondary forest nearby. Responsibilities include:
- Investigating native tree species for reforestation
- Planning how to plant the trees, determining the needed tools, area to work, and the most favorable climate
- Finding suppliers, comparing costs, analyzing the best options and executing the purchase of trees and tools necessary to carry out the work
- Fencing the work area so the cattle do not eat the trees that are planted
- Maintaining the area - eliminating weeds, fertilizing with organic products, collecting evidence of progress
- Labeling the tree species and date of planting
The minimum duration for this project is 3 weeks, and there is an additional fee. Participants will spend the first couple days in Atenas before traveling to La Fortuna, and will spend their last night in Atenas before returning home. Please contact World Endeavors for additional details.
*Other Environmental Conservation projects may also be available. Please contact World Endeavors for additional information.
Hospitality Management and Tourism interns assist management and work in reception, marketing, and communications in internationally-recognized hotels and resorts.
International Business interns are placed in a range of businesses spanning a wide array of industries with both local and global markets.
Marketing interns work in advertising agencies or in the marketing departments of a wide variety of companies, planning and managing campaigns, analyzing market information, assisting with websites and social media, and interfacing with clients.
Public Health interns work with public health officials in government agencies and nonprofit organizations on projects focused on disease and injury prevention, assessment of community health requirements, addressing environmental challenges, and creating public policy.
Social Work interns work with nonprofit or government organizations, aiding individual clients and assisting with community outreach initiatives and public health and safety programs.
Veterinary Sciences interns assist veterinarians as they work with domestic livestock or exotic animals, gaining experience with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of animals and learning how these professionals engage with the local community.
Web and Graphic Design interns work with creative professionals in design firms, marketing agencies, or the design departments of larger companies to create marketing materials, web pages, logos, and other visuals for corporate clients.
Youth Development interns assist experienced educators with projects such as creating and implementing workshops, coaching sports teams, coordinating youth plays, and planning family night activities.
Do you want to earn academic credit for your international internship? Nearly half of World Endeavors participants earn credit while interning abroad. Many students are required to participate in an internship to fulfill a requirement for their degree program. World Endeavors works closely with students and their academic advisors to ensure that our program meets those requirements. If you don’t fall into that category there is another exciting option for you. Through our collaboration with University of California Berkeley, students can earn UC Berkeley credit by taking one of two online courses while interning abroad.
Internships are available year-round, with flexible start dates and durations. Public holidays and seasonal work availability may impact certain start dates in some locations.
Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight
Generally, the minimum program duration for interning in Costa Rica is 2 months. Contact World Endeavors if you would like to go for a shorter duration.
| Program Name | First Month | Each Additional Month |
|---|---|---|
| Intern In Costa Rica | $3,190 | $1,290 |
Through our collaboration with University of California Summer Sessions, World Endeavors interns can earn academic credit alongside their international internship. Alternatively, interns can arrange for credit through their home institution. Learn more here.
INCLUDED FEATURES
- Dedicated Program Advisor
- Customized Internship placement
- Flexible durations from 2 to 6 months with year-round start dates
- Academic credit facilitation
- Local On-site Coordinator with 24/7 availability; pre and post arrival orientation
- Personalized Program Success Plan with ongoing coaching
- Re-entry Handbook and Support
- Spanish language instruction: 15 hours included
- Cultural activities (cooking class; dance class)
- Airport reception and welcome
- Home stay accommodations with 3 meals per day
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance
- Travel protection
OTHER BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
- Round-trip transportation to Costa Rica
- Visa expenses
- Optional trips and excursions
- Daily transportation
- Personal expenses
- World Endeavors interns should be 18 years or older and should have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the start of their program.
- Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.
- It is recommended to have a background in your desired internship field, but not absolutely required. Internship placement opportunities increase with experience or relevant coursework.
- It is preferred that interns considering Costa Rica should have an intermediate level of Spanish language skills.
Congratulations on your decision to embark on this one-of-a-kind, life-changing experience abroad! We look forward to working with you to make your trip memorable and meaningful. We recommend that applications be submitted at least 16 weeks in advance of the intended program start date. If your intended start date is less than 16 weeks away, please contact World Endeavors for more information.
World Endeavors interns in Costa Rica live with local host families in Atenas in either single or shared rooms with shared bathrooms. They enjoy home-cooked Costa Rican food with their host families. Interns in certain fields, such as environmental conservation, may live in shared accommodations or lodges onsite at their project depending on location.
ABOUT ATENAS
Costa Rica is known for its beautiful tropical landscape, and Atenas is the lucky recipient of the best climate in the world. With warm, sunny weather and equally warm locals, it is an ideal location for interns year-round. Atenas is a charming and relatively compact town; the area is known for agriculture, and the town is surrounded by plantations and the rich, lush landscape that is characteristic of Costa Rica. The city has everything an intern needs, including fitness centers, tennis courts, restaurants, banks, parks, shops, bars, and cafés. Local residents are incredibly warm and welcoming and are always willing to help visitors with their Spanish and show them around their hometown.
We strive to provide immersive, life changing, and professionally rewarding programs for our interns. Our programs are designed as a comprehensive “program” instead of just the internship so that we can provide a full experience for our participants. The program fees we charge include the in-country expenses (housing, insurance, orientation, etc.) and also the dedicated work that goes behind finding a customized, one-of-a-kind, international internship placement. You can find more information about the costs and inclusions in the “Dates & Costs” section on this page.
We really wish we could offer paid internships, but all of the internships we coordinate are unpaid placements. Paid internships abroad are few and far-between, as they require a different type of visa that is difficult to attain, and they also require sponsorship by the host company, which is quite costly for them. The goal of our program is to provide meaningful, hands-on experience in your specific profession or field of study that will give you a competitive edge in the job market and make you valuable to employers who are globally minded. If you are seeking a placement to help you gain international experience, improve your skills in your field and enhance your resume, our program provides the perfect opportunity.
Our internships are customized to fit each individual’s goals, interests, and skill level. We consider all of these things and then make a placement accordingly. Therefore, we don’t have specific internships “set aside” waiting for people to fill them. We have placed interns in both small and large companies, but due to confidentiality of our host companies and organizations we are not able to provide a list of companies.
All of our internships are customized, and we work with each intern to make sure we find a placement that fits their specific interests, background, experience, and goals for the internship. Your specific responsibilities during your internship will be determined further in the enrollment process and will depend on your skills and goals for the program.
Jaquelynn went to Costa Rica to complete an internship in Occupational Therapy.
“This is a once in a life time opportunity, really very few people get to immerse themselves in another culture like this. Eat new foods, dance new dances, embrace Tico time, greet everyone with a kiss, get to know your families, your coworkers, the kids, and you’ll have such a fulfilling experience. Time flies so enjoy every minute!”
- Kari, Volunteer in Costa Rica
