Internship Costa Rica

The orphanages in Costa Rica aim to offer homes, educations, and hope for orphans. At this particular program, interns primarily help orphans by teaching basic English and organizing creative, extra-curricular activities such as game, singing, music, drawing, etc. This program is the perfect place for interns looking for opportunities to share their love, passion and skills with these very-unfortunate children.

Skills/Qualifications Needed

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping.

There are no specific qualifications needed to join IFRE's internship Costa Rica programs. All interns are expected to be flexible and patient, as well as possess a passion and love for children. Experience working with street children is considered a plus.

An Intern's Responsibilities

Orphanage/childcare social work interns in Costa Rica will be assist the staff with the children/adolescent supervision, teaching English, playing games and helping with homework.

Interns may also complete basic daily tasks around the orphanage including cleaning, helping with laundry and maintaining the property. Interns must be willing to assist with a variety of support beyond just working directly with the children.

If you are interested in volunteer programs, we also offer rewarding orphanage volunteer program in Costa Rica.

Medical/healthcare interns are greatly welcomed in these projects to share their time, knowledge, skills and support with the immensely challenged Costa Rica healthcare industry.

Costa Rica’s medical interns can expect to reach beyond the basic knowledge of their medical training and share their proactive attitudes and innate abilities.

Skills/Qualifictaions Needed

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the people you are helping.

Medical internship program in Costa Rica’s applicants interested in joining our health program must possess healthcare certification, such as an ID as a medical student, EMT, paramedic certification, nursing or physician's credentials. We do not permit interns without medical credentials to work in this program due to the potential risk.

The projects require a copy of interns’ resumes, clearly documenting credentials and education, before arrival at the project. Projects will also require an official copy of credentials.

An Intern's Responsibilities

Job responsibilities for internship Costa Rica medical program vary dependent on education, skills, experience and qualifications and on the community’s current needs.

Interns could be delivering babies, suturing wounds or giving vaccinations. Some interns may also be asked to support public health campaigns. As a medical intern in Costa Rica, interns could be placed in a large hospital or small clinic.

Most of the hospitals (regardless of size) have many departments, like western hospitals, so an intern may be placed in any department dependent on skills, qualifications and training.

If you are interested in volunteer programs, we also offer life changing medical volunteer program in Costa Rica.

Rural children are falling behind their wealthier urban counterparts as rural schools continue to be underfunded. They are in bad physical shape and space is limited. There are not enough teachers in general and qualified teachers are even scarcer.

As a result, the gap between rural and urban students is massive and growing. In these underfunded rural schools, English, Art and Physical Education are required subjects, but not available due to lack of funds and teachers. In some schools, these courses are taught but at a very low skill level as the teachers are not qualified to teach these courses.

The gap grows immensely as students move to high school where they are expected to already know these subjects. As a result, the dropout rate is very high and very few rural students graduate.

Come to Costa Rica as a teacher intern and teach Art, Physical Education and English in neighborhood kindergartens, elementary schools or high schools. These children need you.

Skills/Qualifictaions Needed

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory) for this teaching internship in Costa Rica. If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping. There are no specific qualifications needed to join IFRE's internship teaching projects in Costa Rica.

Dress code is required in the schools (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and interns must be physically presentable (no excessive tattoos or piercings). Interns are expected to be reliable, flexible and patient and strive to be good role models for the children.

An Intern's Responsibilities

As an intern in the underfunded rural school projects, you will assist with classes at a kindergarten, elementary or high school level. Options to teach English, French, Art, Math, Physical Education or other areas of interest can be pursued if the intern has training or experience in the subject matter.

If you are interested in volunteer programs, we also offer rewarding teaching English volunteer program in Costa Rica.

Millions of sea turtles return annually Costa Rican beaches to nest. Our internship project sites are chosen due to the influx of turtles to these areas. The nesting season for the different species of sea turtles varies, which is why we offer multiple sites and varying dates.

Internship opportunity in Costa Rica with sea turtle participants patrols of beaches/nesting sites help to protect turtles and eggs from poaching. Interns also gather valuable research information and newly hatched turtles. The turtles are either encouraged to reach the sea safely or they are collected so that they can grow stronger and be released at a later date.

An Intern's Responsibilities

• Interns need to be in good physical condition and to walk long distances (about 7-15 km per night) and be resistant to the hot and humid climate.
• No severe eyesight problems (work is at night with no artificial lights).
• No use of illegal drugs and no consumption of alcohol during working hours.
• Preferably non-smoking. Those who do smoke should do so only in open areas and never on nightly patrols.
• Be willing to work under difficult and uncomfortable conditions.
• Have awareness of mosquito and sand fly bite allergies.
• Speak fluent English.
• Must be at least 18 years old or have a parental letter of permission.
• Personal insurance (provided by IFRE).

Preferred Skill and Experience

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is appreciated for this Costa Rica internship opportunity. Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping.

• Degree in biology, conservation or related subject.
• First-aid course or experience.
• Previous experience with sea turtle conservation efforts.

An Intern's Responsibilities

Typical night patrols run between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. even in the rain. An average patrol takes 4 hours, but if interns find turtles, it will take longer. Once a turtle is located, interns measure and tag the turtle.

Eggs are then collected, relocated and the data is recorded. Hatchery shifts take 6 hours. The tasks include relocating the nest, keeping predators at a distance, providing information to tourists, taking nest temperatures, measuring and releasing hatchlings.

Maintenance of trails and beach cleaning are additional Costa Rica intern duties.

Interns may occasionally be asked to work a longer than a normal shift due to extenuating circumstances. Depending upon the time within the nesting season, more time may be spent on one activity versus another.

If you are interested in volunteer programs, we also offer rewarding turtle conservation volunteer program in Costa Rica.