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Cloud Forest Conservation, Habitat Restoration & Research Internships in Costa Rica | Monteverde, Costa Rica

More photos of this internship may be found here.

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 public health, permaculture, water quality, ecology, and reforestation, all with the backdrop of sustainable ecotourism.

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:

Tropical Habitat Restoration

  • Reforestation and mapping
  • Seed germination
  • Potential factors that affect the successful restoration of tropical habitats
  • Trail mapping
  • Materials development

Field Research in Conservation

  • Adopt a Stream Citizen Science Program: Work with local high school students to collect chemical and physical data and macroinvertebrates that serve as bioindicators of water quality. Conduct water quality assessment via these metrics.  These assessments are completed various times throughout the year
  • Develop educational materials and improve datasheets
  • Take photo-documentation of stream activities and conditions
  • MoSI Project - Monitoring Neotropical migrants in winter: in collaboration with the Institute for Bird Populations (this project is active during specific months of the year.)

Monitoring animal-plants interactions

  • This monitoring focuses on understanding the importance of local tree species as a food source for native fauna and the importance of these interactions for the dispersal of seeds from endangered trees.
  • The intern will support the installation of camera traps and/or the analysis and/or interpretation of previously collected data.

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

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!

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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.