Community Development, Health, and Education Internships in Costa Rica | Monteverde, Costa Rica

More photos of this internship may be found here. Image courtesy of Monteverde Institute.

Join the efforts of this public service non-profit to empower a community to take proactive steps towards a more sustainable future! Here, the relationships between community, environment, and tourism, are viewed from a holistic perspective. Programming centers around topics of community health, language education, and community development.

Internship Start Dates:

Flexible start dates at the beginning of each academic term.

Duration of Internship:

10-12 weeks, minimum.

About The Organization

The mission of the Monteverde Institute is to promote social, ecological and economic sustainability by integrating community initiatives with education, research and conservation.

Costa Rica, and specifically the Monteverde area, has long been a world leader in ecotourism and biodiversity conservation, and is also at the forefront of efforts related to climate change. Interns with the Monteverde Institute work with local experts involved in a variety of community and environmentally based initiatives that investigate or contribute to solutions to local issues. Students receive background information and the skill sets necessary to accomplish their tasks. Additionally, throughout the internship, the institute provides multiple levels of supervision and expertise to ensure that the intern has the most authentic and beneficial experience possible.

Students would be able to share their results with the community. All internships end with accountability to, and feedback from, the community. All completed work is documented and cataloged in our digital, publicly accessible database for use by future generations. These learning internships help the MVI promote its mission to promote social, ecological and economic sustainability by integrating community initiatives with education, research and conservation.

Job Description

Some possible internship projects are listed below:

Community Health Program

In collaboration with internship supervisors, identify priority tasks/locations, which will include educational programs related topics such as the following: nutrition, preventative health issues, sports and physical activities, stress management and the arts.
Facilitate participation in activities and create related educational materials.

English/Spanish Language Education Program

Work with local teachers to design and prepare lesson plans, develop and implement learning activities, manage classes (online and on-site), among other tasks to promote student language learning.

Community Development Program

This project aims to empower people to innovate and improve their lives using tools and information technologies such as artificial intelligence, databases, and scientific knowledge, promoting the use of information for the development of projects with sustainability and conservation at heart.
The goal is to generate templates or concepts that could be applied to different community projects and social enterprise.

Measuring impact of rainwater capture systems in Monteverde

The project aims to quantify this impact in the places where the rainwater capture systems were installed. Analog meters will be placed on selected sites allowing, to measure water flow, generate data and perform analysis regarding consumption patterns, main uses and savings of drinking water.
Data collection and analysis

Qualifications/Requirements

Academic Background

Interns with a background and experience within their chosen industry are strongly preferred. The quantity and variety of possible placements corresponds with the applicant’s depth of knowledge and demonstrated willingness to practice and learn new skills. Additional requirements may apply and depend on your host site and preferred internship duties.

Skills

Interns are expected to demonstrate responsibility, professional motivation, flexibility, and effective communication skills.
Interns should have relevant coursework or professional experience (paid, intern, or volunteer) in the chosen industry when possible.

Language Requirements

For all internships, English is the language of communication. Interns must be capable of communication at a near-native level in professional settings.
Beginner Spanish is helpful, but not required, for most projects.
Advanced Spanish is required for interns wanting to work with community health initiatives, and native speaker fluency is preferred. Interns wishing to participate in projects of this nature may be asked to submit additional materials in Spanish.

Program Costs

Estimated One-Time Expenses

IE₃Global Program Fee: $3,450
Host Site Fees (see details below): $3,885
International Travel: $950
Recommended Immunizations: $150

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Housing: Included in Host Site Fee
Food: Included in Host Site Fee
Local Transportation: $45
Utilities, Phone, Internet: $45

Host Site Fee Details

The host site fee from includes:

Homestay Accommodations
3 meals per day in homestay
Laundry service
Work-related transportation
Administrative costs
24/7 Local support

Housing Accommodation

Host Site Housing

Homestays are arranged by the host organization. Interns have their own room, and should expect to share a bathroom.

This organization has a robust cultural engagement program with host families, and their homestay coordinator checks in with students regularly during their stay.

Check out this clip about host families in Monteverde!

Past Participant Stories

Quotes:

Check out pictures from this internship site.

Review these videos below and reviews from past participants!

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Terms

Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer

Application Deadline

Fall: April 15
Winter: September 15
Spring: November 15
Summer:

Priority Deadline - January 15

Standard Deadline - February 15

Basic Requirements

- Open to all majors; relevant experience in chosen industry preferred (coursework, volunteer work, and professional work experience)
- Sense of professionalism and strong work ethic.