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Non-Profit Marketing & Communications 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 non-profit marketing and communications.

This internship is also available in a part-time virtual format. There is one application for all virtual placements in Costa Rica that can be accessed here.

Internship Start Dates:

  • Flexible start dates at the beginning of each academic term.

Duration of Internship:

  • 10-12 weeks, minimum.

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.

Some possible internship projects are listed below:

Social Media Management/Communication

  • Support the creation of a flexible social media calendar that can adapt to the organization's needs. You will also monitor our social media channels for trends and insights, in order to help our organization to create engagement with our different targets and/or find areas for improvement on each of our platforms.
  • Create and execute at least one digital marketing campaign to promote a community initiative, a product or a service to attract future academic programs interested in working with our organization; local businesses interest in make alliances with MVI; and the general public that might not know what our organization does. This can be done using the “community influencer” strategy, where we could collaborate with a person (s) from the community who is making a positive impact in Monteverde or the Bellbird Biological Corridor.

Non-profit Communications

  • You will be helping the Monteverde Institute to support our communication efforts with donors, volunteers, interns and the community using social media for fundraising, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
  • The intern will help to generate and disseminate attractive, high-quality content focused in fundraising, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.

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.

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

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!

Quotes:

Check out pictures from this internship site.

Review these videos below and reviews from past participants!

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.