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Internship in Costa Rica
In
this section you will find a list of Internship Opportunities in Costa Rica
directed to college students or professionals interesting in to spend this
important moment of their careers or professional life in this exotic country.
The
available options include volunteering and/or developing of specific projects
on diverse fields as biology, psychology, social work in benefit of minority or
marginal groups, veterinarian, business, accounting, laws, tourism related
services, medical specialties, teaching of languages and more…
Every
program has its own requirements and duties and the cost of Intern Packs
include lodging, meals, insurances, local transportation and certificate of
participation.
List of Internships
Casa Alianza
at Rescue of Street Animals
Monteverde
Conservation League
Casa Alianza Street Animals
Shelter
Mission: This association functions as an advocate
seeking to improve animals' quality of life and to protect animals and their
rights through political action and education. Each of the members of
organization contribute with a percentage of their wages to aid in the
recovery, evaluation and treatment of animals recovered from the street, from
dogs to birds.
Current Projects: According to head of
organization, there are thousands of street animals in San José alone. The first
decision made for any animal brought in to shelter is whether to rehabilitate
or euthanize. Animals which have no chance at home placement, are sick or
diseased, or are injured badly are euthanized. All other animals are
rehabilitated for home placement. They are currently focused on fund-raising.
Possible Duties: Interns would help
write and publish their monthly bulletin, fundraise and work with the animals
which come through.
Requirements: Interns must to speak
Spanish, love animals and be hard workers. The organization is run out from the
house of one members of organization. Is possible to set up a shared internship
where a student spends time at the organization and also works in a associated
veterinary clinic. The association is the only organization of their kind in
all of San José.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Fucodes ( Costa Rican Fund
for Development )
Mission: This organization seeks to promote the
micro/small enterprises that currently have limited access to financial
resources through the encouragement of the traditional ways of receiving credit
and providing provisions for adequate financing.
Current Projects: Organization functions
similar to a bank, offering loans up to 20,000 colones ($ 45). They work with
applicants, investigating the purpose of the loan and evaluating the viability
of each business.
Possible Duties: An intern would be
involved in researching companies and become familiar with the workings of
micro-finance organizations.
Requirements: The organization is fairly
small and located in Downtown San Jose. The right intern must to have economic
and financing knowledge a fluency Spanish is required.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
ACORDE ( Costa Rican
Association for Development Organizations )
Mission: This organization was founded
in 1987 from the remnants of an NGO called CINDE, after nearly all their
international aid was pulled as a result of Costa Rica's economic stability.
Although still nonprofit, ACORDE was formed as a self-sufficient microfinance
bank to continue CINDE's work. They still endeavor to support small enterprise,
but now more thoroughly scrutinize all the projects selected for funding.
Current Projects: The largest portion of
their time is devoted to researching the companies and businesses who have
applied for loans. There is a rigorous process of examination and an
ongoing process of evaluation which must be carried out for each of the bank's
clients. They deal with individuals who can not get loans from traditional banks
due to a variety of factors and therefore the investigative efforts are very
active. Organization currently have over 300 clients.
Possible Duties: An intern may expect to
work heavily with project and business analysis and evaluation. This means
activities from site visits, interviews, record searching and review, and
number crunching. Because of the wide variety of projects in which organization
is involved - there is possibility for exposure to everything from cattle farms
to retail shops.
Requirements: The right candidate must
to have financing and economic knowledge and a good Spanish fluency is
required.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
VIDA ( Volunteers
Association for Environmental Research and Development )
Mission: This association seeks to promote and execute
projects that incorporate the Costa Rica population in sustainable development and
improve the quality of life in towns while protecting the environment. Founded
16 years ago, they work on specific identifiable projects and are staffed by
volunteers.
Current Projects: They are involved in
projects in benefit of the Marine Turtles that arrive to Pacific coast of
country. Interns work in 24 hr/day beach patrols, help in environmental studies
and work on other maintenance.
Possible Duties: Besides the previous
mentioned activities and intern could propose and develop his/her own project.
VIDA could be a good place to look if intern have a specific project would like
to carry out - but don't know where to get support.
Requirements: The main requirements are
many wishes to work in benefit of environment and speak Spanish preferable
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
ADRI ( Association for
Integrated Rural Development )
Mission: Founded in 1986, ADRI is the largest
microfinance organization in Costa Rica. It seeks to assist and bring technical
support to clients, promote and begin programs of rural development with an
emphasis on active community involvement. They offer special low cost credit to
the small and micro enterprise. Their main goal is to strengthen the
socio-economics of micro and small enterprises whose principal activity
provides family income.
Current Projects: They are funded by the
Interamerican Development Bank and spend most of their time researching
projects and expanding their reach.
Possible Duties: Interns may expect to
help advertise by going and giving talks and workshops in villages, setting up
communications networks or help in the service, evaluation and support of
current projects.
Requirements: The right Intern must to
be interesting and have knowledge in one or all following areas: economics,
laws, rural development or business. Besides a very good level of Spanish is
required.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program
to agency. Reserve Here
ATEC (Talamancan
Association of Ecotourism and Conservation)
Mission: This is a non-profit NGO that works to
preserve cultural values, wildlife and the environment by directing the
benefits of ecoturism to the local population and granting loans to small local
area businesses. They also seek to develop programs to reduce the destruction
of the natural environment by providing alternatives.
Current Projects: They have branched out
in recent years and now work as a part of a set of umbrella organizations all
of which work to direct the benefits of tourism toward the locals. Their
current main focus is on the development of an effective garbage removal
system. Currently residents and tourists alike have their garbage hauled just
to the next valley, where it is dumped. They are looking at economically
feasible alternatives. The organization was formed after a plant viral disease
wiped out all the cocoa plants in the valley. They built a green house and
began to teach organic farming to provide an alternative income source.
Possible Duties: The organization is
self-supporting - they have a store. Interns would help with running the store/tourist
center and with other administrative duties. An Intern could also create
his/her own project. The organization is also involved in helping communities
define their own goals.
Requirements: A good Spanish level is
required although many residents are fluent in English and a good dose of
patience because one major obstacles could find an intern is slowness use to
show local communities to change or adopt new policies.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Bright Light Natural
Reserve and Hotel
Mission: This is a natural private reserve and small beach
hotel located on pacific coast of C.R. created with purpose to offer a peace,
quietness and resting atmosphere for lovers of non crowded locations. Its 40
hectares of dry tropical forest and a big diversity of flora and fauna
including several hundreds of tropical and migratory birds complement this
paradisiacal location and guaranty an unforgettable stay.
Current Projects: Main efforts of
organization center in offer a quality service to guests in harmony with
nature. Through the restaurant it offers local and international food to
visitors and some tours to reserve or around the Gulf are own operated for
company.
Possible Duties: An Intern could help
with marketing or accounting duties or
attending to visitors. Could also works as Tour guide, member of crew of
Yacht or Chef assistant in the Kitchen area.
Professionals as food and beverages manager, bartender or personal
trainer are welcome.
Requirements: A good fluency in English and Spanish as
minimum. Excellent customer service
skills and a reasonable maturity and responsibility level.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
CEDARENA (The Environmental
and Natural Resources Law Center)
Mission: This is a non-profit, non-political
association staffed by a group of attorneys, law students, and others who share
a common interest in legal issues pertaining to the environment and natural
resources. It was founded in 1989 and is committed to increasing the ability of
the Central American people to solve their environmental problems and improve
their quality of life with the use of legal protection and activism. They seek
to use legal means to achieve the goals of preservation and support of
biological diversity.
Current Projects: They are currently
working on three different projects. The first is called “ To Influence
Political Legislation ”. They are working on the national level with how laws
which manage the harvesting and distribution of agricultural water in Costa
Rica. The second one is a set of projects labeled “ Private Conservation ” They
help individuals who want to protect their land in perpetuity put environmental
leans on their property. In this line, CEDARENA was the first law office across
Latin America to use this approach in conservation and offers training across
central America to other lawyers. The third one labeled “ Conflict Resolution
of the Socioenvironment ”. They work with the national park system to mediate
the conflicts which arise between indigenous peoples and other park neighbors
who need to hunt, take wood, or divert water from within state or private park
boundaries.
Possible Duties: The law firm is
composed for 7 lawyers and 3 law students. An intern who is accepted would work
as a law student. This involves researching, site visits and helping in all
aspects of the firm.
Requirements: The intern must to have
good research abilities, critical thinking skills and writing finess Fluent Spanish is required. This would be an
absolutely fantastic site for someone interested in law, the environment, and
Latin America.
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
CEMUCA (Studies Center of
Country Woman)
Mission: This center seeks to research and document
community development and social change in Costa Rica, paying specific
attention to the evolving role of rural women in Santa Elena-Monteverde region.
The nearly 80 years since the area's initial settlement have witnessed profound
changes in women's lives which reflect a global transformation in the way women
grow, live, work, learn, excel and are challenged. The center record and
document the experiences of women and examine how they have participated in
shaping the region's life of today.
Current Projects: Individual students'
projects are selected from a variety of options. Students are placed in homes
of the region while they collect and record a woman's life story that might
otherwise be lost to future generations. Other interns will use these stories
to write 40-50 pages bilingual children's books, complete with illustrations by
local artists. The goal of organization is to build a collection of about 40
life histories and two dozen books or more.
Possible Duties: In addition to having
interns search through the life stories already collected for writing
children's books, Dr. Ilse Leitinger, founder of center, also will encourage
the creation of theatre plays and hopes to put all the stories into a database
for futher resaerch. Additional, she needs people interested in fund-raising
and helping to establish and maintain contact with women's studies programs.
She has an endless stream of projects interested qualified interns could take
on, and also is very open to new ideas.
More credits about Cemuca and her founder:
Dr. Ilse Leitinger, Ph.D, University of Denver; M.A., University of Minnesota;
M.A., University of Heidelberg, Germany. She was a Fulbright Lecturer in
Women's Studies at the Universidad Nacional (UNA) in 1988. Subsequently, as
Social Science Coordinator and Research Supervisor for the Associated Colleges
of the Midwest (ACM) and Internship Coordinator and Research Supervisor for the
Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS), she supervised
community-oriented research in the Santa Elena-Monteverde Region for the last
12 years. Fluent in English, German, and Spanish, Dr. Leitinger is translator
and editor of The Costa Ricans Women's Movement. A Reader. 1997. University of
Pittsburgh Press. She was a Grinnell University Professor for 12 years,
1976-1988. She is energetic, academic, exciting, very sharp, focused on
synergism and promises a tough and rewarding internship.
Requirements: It is important to discuss
specific projects beforehand . A good level of Spanish is required if Intern
project is in the community. If Intern
will do fundraising or editing, you could get by with only basic
Spanish.
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Chicas 2000
Mission: This organization, founded 10 years ago, works
with the transvestite population of San Jose and the surrounding areas - ages
13 and up. They seek to improve the quality of life for this group of
individuals through increased information, education, workshops on safe sex,
free medical treatment, individual/group therapy, talent shows, teaching of
arts and crafts and much more. Funded by the Embassy of Holland, they are open
from 2 pm-10 pm, 7 days a week, 365 days/year.
Current Projects: They designate specific
nights of weeks to specific activities. They sponsor a talk show called “ Para
Conocernos “. This brings famous or specialist members of the gay and
trans-gendered community in to speak publicly. The staff of organization is
composed for an activity coordinator, two psychologists, two door guards, one
workshop planner and one office assistant. They also hold gay/lesbian
alcoholics anonymous meetings in their office - the only such chapter in Latin
America.
Possible Duties: Interns can expect to
be involved in every aspect of the organization: workshop giving, planning,
outreach, etc. This organization is about respect, love, support, intervention,
and acceptance. Its legit, friendly and very active. They work with a marginal
- high risk population and seem more like a family. There is a lot of good work
to do and the work done does a lot of good for a lot of people.
Requirements: a heart and a mind open
and prepared to face hard realities of some groups of society and a good level
of Spanish.
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Costa Rican Humanitarian
Foundation
Mission: This foundation seeks to provide opportunities
to exchange friendship, goods and services between different cultures,
socio-economic and language groups. They work as a clearinghouse, placing
volunteers in appropriate work settings according to their interests and
abilities. They work with more than thirty different projects which focus on
aid to marginal populations. This aid comes in many forms and the variety of
projects in which they are involved/help fund is great.
Current Projects: Students have worked
with various rural and urban hospitals and clinics, women's health
organizations, homes for individuals with cerebral palsy, birthing clinics,
indigenous groups, handicapped home and education projects, low income housing
projects, orphans, abused girls shelters, prison inmates and an annual 3/4 week
EcoCamp.
Possible Duties: The Intern according to
his/her interests and abilities can participate on any of before mentioned
projects sponsored for foundation and though is not a mandatory condition, some
knowledge of Spanish it helps.
Requirements: Some knowledge of Spanish
because all the projects are community based and many wishes to work and help
to others.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency Reserve Here
CLC (The Creative Learning
Center)
Mission: This K-8, private, bilingual, non-sectarian
elementary school was founded in 1991 by local parents responding to a need to
increase educational opportunities for local Costa Rican students. The school
offers experiential instruction to its students with an emphasis on integrating
environmental education into all facets of the curriculum. The school costs
$1200/year and offers full or half grants to 75% of the student population of
nearly 190 students.
Current Projects: Current projects
simply involve school. They do not follow a North American schedule and are
located near to the Monterverde Biological reserve. School is on morning
sessions and they do a lot of outdoors work.
Possible Duties: There are 8 spaces for
teaching assistants, 2 environmental coordinator positions, and 2 ESL
positions. For the times when school is not in full session, they run ESL and
athletic programs as a form of camp for community children.
Requirements: A good level of Spanish is
required specially to work with the younger students
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Médicos sin Fronteras
Program (Doctors Without Borders)
Mission: This is an international medical humanitarian
organization which brings medical attention and support to marginal populations
and victims of natural or human catastrophes, providing medical assistance
during armed conflict, medicines during epidemics and seeks to sensitize to
people about happenings around the world. Unlike the Red Cross, they can and do
denounce, report, and investigate violations of human rights - actions for
which they received the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize. Currently nearly 15,000 members
of the medical profession are working in 88 countries worldwide - 13 of which
are in Central and South America.
Current Projects: The office in San Jose
is the Latin America and Caribbean Emergency Coordination Office. When any of
the before mentioned scenarios occurs, this office works to coordinate response
efforts. The office is therefore not involved in specific projects, except
helping the remote stations do their jobs.
Possible Duties: This organization is
always in need of volunteers. The decision to accept/reject interns belongs to
each field station and not to the central offices - therefore, contacting the
office in which you would like to help is a must.
Requirements: Most people working with
the organization have professional level degrees. Some Spanish fluency is
required.
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
El Salón
Mission: This is a project founded in 1990 and funded
by the embassy of Holland. They seeks to help those who have been recently released
from prison, are soon to enter it or are members of poor marginal urban
communities. They seek to educate and support these individuals in making life
choices.
Current Projects: They offer educational
support in all areas with a focus on drug addiction, AIDS, the practice of safe
sex and how to re-enter the world. There is one on one counseling, group
workshops and group assistance. The house where El Salon functions is open
Monday - Thursday from 4:30 to 10 pm and they generally work with 35 individuals
per night. They offer showers and some food as well. Nearly all persons
released from the San Jose jail seek out El Salon.
Possible Duties: Interns can teach
English classes, teach reading and writing, give workshops in whatever they're
good at (arts, crafts, singing etc...)or can help in administrative duties.
Requirements: Intern must be fluent in Spanish, hardworking
and prepared (in as much as possible) to face the realities of working with a
population of individuals with a dangerous and hard past including sex
offenders, perpetrators of homicide and major and minor theft.
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Escucha su
Voz
Mission: This organization seeks to provide a place
where ex-convicts can go to receive psychological, medical, and economic help
while they study a skill or work on basic knowledge. The organization accepts a
maximum of 15 individuals at time and some stay for more than a year. The goal
is to diminish the number of individuals who reenter the prison system after
the first offense.
Current Projects: They offer real world
entry workshops, talks on HIV/aids, art workshops, sessions of drug addicts
anonymous, classes on reading, computers and training for technical work.
Possible Duties: Interns would
contribute to design and carry out the daily morning programs as well as help
program members to locate jobs. There is opportunity here for a greater
role/deeper understanding in the lives of a few
Requirements: Fluent Spanish is
required.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Rahab
Foundation
Mission: The foundation works exclusively with women
who want to leave prostitution and seeks to nurture and accompany each of these
individuals and their family through the changing process. They are a religious
non-profit that was founded three years ago. They are currently working with 17
women.
Current Projects: For the women involved
in the process, the foundation offers workshops and talks on self-esteem,
sexual abuse and its consequences, maternity, domestic violence, legal rights,
forgiveness, advancement of faith, reproductive health and more. They also help
women obtain medical examinations and offer vocational training and
scholarships to help women return to school. They additionally work with the
children of these women and have plans to expand the project to include men and
child prostitution.
Possible Duties: An interested intern
could be involved in any of the projects listed above. The organization is
still fairly small, although well recognized. Therefore, as it always is, the
amount of work exceeds the capacity of the people working. An intern could run
workshops, work as a tutor, advertise, work with women, work with their
children and much more.
Requirements: A good fluency of Spanish
is required and a merciful spirit allow to help more needing of love and
understanding people that are in aptitude to return right way.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
Mission: The goal of the TAIS Foundation is to
contribute to development strategies for communal development, working toward
lessening economic vulnerability and facilitating improved quality of life.
This non-profit organization strives to advance a model of development that
promotes the sustainable use of cultural, ecological and geographical resources
for present and future generations. They do this by choosing a select number of
projects to which they commit for time periods of three years. People working
at the foundation contribute 20% of their salary to its operating costs.
Current Projects: They are commitment to
fund and coordinate infrastructure and technical support for local environmental
associations. In addition, they also run a series of ecologically based summer
camps.
Possible Duties: To be accepted as an
intern, the student must present a proposal for what they would like to do to
the board of directors. They generally only accept post-graduate volunteer
specialists. People with a clear idea of what they would like to do may also
work but the key in any duties is independent work as supervision of your
specific project will most likely be outcome, not process based.
He wants people who are interested to make contact 3 months prior to arrival to
begin planning and stressed the importance of specific goals and methods of
evaluations.
Requirements: Full fluency of Spanish
and is necessary start contact 3 months prior to arrival to begin planning and
stressed the importance of specific goals and methods of evaluations.
Cost
of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
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to List
Inter-American Institute of
Human Rights
Mission: This independent international institution
began in 1980 stemming from an agreement between the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights and the Republic of Costa Rica. Funded by the Scandinavian countries,
this Institute focuses primarily on education and support programs throughout
Central and South America which seek to promote and strengthen respect for
human rights. Projects include research, education, and political mediation.
Current Projects: They have three main
lines of programming. First they work with civil organizations to train
volunteers in everything from how to deal with gender issues in the workplace
to conflicts arising between indigenous peoples and state and local agencies.
Secondly, they work with government agencies to help supplement public
programming. In the past this has involved funding of the police, education
programs, and social security overhauls. Lastly, they work with the electorate.
Specifically, they oversee tribunal elections, watching for fraud and assisting
with election administration.
Possible Duties: They accept 2-3
interns/year. You must fill an application beginning in December and between
100-150 people apply annually. Members of the institute who will be working
with the interns choose who gets to come. Particular duties will depend
precisely on the department of your internship and space in your areas of
interest is simply a matter of luck as there is not a systematic internship
rotation.
Requirements: A good fluency of Spanish
is necessary for a successful internship besides a real interest in goals
pushes this organization.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
” Todo dar “ Program
Mission: This program is an initiative of Paniamor
Foundation, organization that seeks to expose youth to technology, add to their
global vision and give them an avenue to develop their logical thinking and
creative abilities. Program is funded thanks to an agreement with Microsoft who
donated 40+ computers and software to let disadvantaged kids access and explore
using state of the art technology. Children who qualify may join different
computer clubs based around interests.
Current Projects: The program works with
1200+ kids and is setup in dozens of computer clubs. Children who qualify may
join an unlimited number of clubs. Interns serve as club leaders and can focus
on nearly any topic ranging from sports cars to computer art. The weekly club
meetings are 2 hour long.
Possible Duties: Interns might expect to
start and run several of the clubs, which meet once a week. The internship
could also include reviewing social profiles, recruitment, and helping to get
the word out. Besides could there be a chance to develop other type of duties
in other departments of foundation.
Requirements: A good fluency of Spanish
is required to work with the kids.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
La Isla de
Las Heliconias
Mission: This organization is owned and operated for a former
art director from New York who decided to retire to Costa Rica and raise as
many of the 120 varieties of heliconia flowers as possible. His mission is to
care this big collection of flowers as a dedicated gardener and occasionally
open his gardens to the public for tours.
Current Projects: He is actually
importing, cultivating and caring for as many varieties as possible. He also
has built a small restaurant on his property. Additionally he is working with a
film maker from the Nature Conservancy on a documentary about hummingbirds and
heliconias.
Possible Duties: The intern could work
on the flowers farm and live a nice biological experience.
Requirements: Mainly to be a nice mood
person with many interesting in flowers and country life
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
La Sala
Mission: This organization, founded in 1994, works with
sex workers in the San Jose area and seeks to improve their quality of life,
promote adult health and safety, improve labor conditions, and work against
exploitation without requiring their change in professions. An investigator
from Holland carried out a study about the extent of education among sex
workers in Costa Rica which revealed grave deficits in general knowledge of all
kinds - thus the organization was formed.
Current Projects: They offer workshops
on worker's rights, self-esteem, self-reflection and much more. They staff a
psychologist, 3 dentists, a gynecologist, and provide access to free legal
advice. In addition, they have a lot of outside individuals who come through
and offer workshops on everything from first aid to reading. The women are
currently working on forming a union that will work to fight discrimination and
demand that sex work be recognized as a profession so as to access the public
health care system. La Sala is also working with the local police department to
help education and open lines of communication. The office is open from 9:30 am
- 4 pm Monday - Friday.
Possible Duties: Duties include anything
listed above. The key here is flexibility. Experiences to live will be very
enrichment and will do of internship a exciting challenge but is not for
everyone
Requirements: A good Spanish level is
required
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Mission: Founded in 1972 by two North American
biologists, this is the oldest, best known private reserve in Costa Rica. They
are dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the biological diversity
and ecological integrity of the Cloud Forest. They provide programs and
opportunities for environmental education and scientific research while
striving to ensure a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural
wonder of the rainforest.
Current Projects: They are always
working on trail expansion and upkeep for the park. They are funded with
private donations, public grants, and part entrance fees. They have trails, a
coffee shop/restaurant, and offer guided tours. They are a tourist attraction,
biological Eden and scientific laboratory all at once. Current projects are
everyday upkeep. The reserve employs 48 people, has 10 miles of trails, a
biological field center and three stations.
Possible Duties: Are Two options of
duties for a Intern: individuals who are not trained in a specialty but who
want to be involved. They generally work on trail maintenance, trash pickup,
and the carrying of materials to places inaccessible by car. Individual who
have specific skills; Biologists who fill a niche, electricians to repair
systems, people familiar with statistical analysis, etc...
Requirements: Spanish is good but not
indispensable.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
Monteverde Community Art
Center
Mission: This center seeks to bring art to the
Monteverde community and is an outgrowth of the Monteverde Institute, began as a
ceramics center and has evolved into a full fledged art center which offers
classes in wood blocking, candle/soap making, ceramics, hammock/basket weaving,
journal making, seed jewelry and painting. They hold classes 1-5 pm Monday -
Friday given by volunteers to tourists and then use those profits to offer art
classes to locals for free and support buying supplies for local and regional
artists.
Current Projects: They just expanded
into the oldest building in Monteverde - those built by the Quakers. They are
currently working on infrastructure fix up, completion of a reusable water
system, increasing advertising and the organization of traveling art shows to
showcase local artist work. In addition, they also coordinate film festivals
and mural art projects.
Possible Duties: A intern would be
involved with all the projects listed above and aspiring artists are kindly
welcome.
Requirements: Kind and friendly people
with many wishes to work and share with other their artistic abilities.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
Monteverde Conservation
League
Mission: This is a private nonprofit conservation
organization founded in 1986 whose main focus is care taking the largest
private reserve in Costa Rica - The Children's Eternal Rainforest. Their
mission is to conserve, preserve and rehabilitate tropical ecosystems and their
biodiversity. They collect donations from people around the world and use this
money to purchase new land and make bigger the reserve.
Current Projects: They do all the daily
upkeep of all the trails in the reserve, advertising and fund raising, as well
as maintaining forest guard stations. These are armed patrol stations which
protect the forest from loggers and others who would illegally harvest trees.
Possible Duties: An intern could work in
any of the before mentioned projects. They are in need of a volunteer coordinator,
someone who has experience in grant writing, and individuals who are interested
or have experience in litigation (they are dealing with disputes over who owns
the preserve land). Resources are stretched thin (50 employees to 25 in two
years) so there is a lot of work to be done.
Requirements: A fluent Spanish is
required.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
Monteverde
Friends School
Mission: This bilingual private school was founded in
1949 by the Quaker groups new to the area and currently enrolls 80 children
grades 1-12 (80% North American, 20% Costa Rican). The school seeks to provide
challenging academics in an environment of love and care which recognizes,
supports, and encourages the development of each student's spiritual, moral,
intellectual, and physical gifts.
Current Projects: The main project is simply
school. They follow a more or less North American school schedule and
instruction in English begins in first grade. They have nice buildings, the
largest library in the area, 5 computers and a large outdoor area.
Possible Duties: Interns would most
likely work as a teaching assistant in one of the classrooms. Its possible that
they might also offer elective classes, lead special trips and explorations
with the older children or help with administrative duties. The school would be
an excellent site for anyone interested in education certification.
Requirements: A fluent Spanish is
required to work with children grades 1 to 5.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of program to agency. Reserve Here
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Monteverde Institute
Mission: This institute is a nonprofit association
dedicated to peace, justice, knowledge and the vision of a sustainable future.
It provides programs that promote the appreciation of diversity and community,
spirituality, and well-being of living things. These opportunities are designed
for residents of the Monteverde
community or people of rest of Costa Rica and abroad. The institute was
established by residents of area in 1986 and now partners with academic
institutions from around the world with goal to create an atmosphere of
cooperative development, diversity and cultural exchange in addition to regular
community-based education courses.
Current Projects: The Institute
functions like a college offering summer and semester courses - pure and
interdisciplinary. Just as courses change semester to semester, so do their
programs.
Possible Duties: An Intern here could
works as a research assistant for a Professor of some of available courses but
this option is subject to interesting of her/himself. Other choice could be
part of community programs sponsored for organization as the art center.
Requirements: Speak at least one of most
popular two languages on area: Spanish or English.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
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Paniamor Foundation
Mission: Paniamor seeks to achieve the fulfillment of
rights for Costa Rican people younger than 18 through social mobilization
programs aimed at strengthening the exercise of rights, the prevention of
violence and the promotion of policies and laws which further those causes.
This is basically accomplished through education and outreach programs
organized through schools and independent workshops.
Current Projects: They are currently
involved in 3 large projects. The first and largest focuses on violence
prevention. Paniamor works with school age children, fathers and step-parents
via workshops in which forms of abuse are examined, information is shared and
preventative tools are highlighted. These programs also work with teachers to
incorporate violence prevention into school curriculum. The second focus area
is political action where foundation concentrates on advocating laws and
policies which support their causes with the corroboration of agencies pursuing
similar goals. The third focus is social development in which they work with
kids (ages 12-18) to break the poverty cycle. Additionally, they promote programs directed to create new
opportunities and develop skills in urban poor kids as “ Todo dar “ previously
decrypted in other area of this section.
Possible Duties: The programs of
foundation are well funded, well developed and well organized. The secret for a
good Intern is try to focus in one specifically project based in a good
previous planning. If not you might end up doing administrative work of regular
staff of organization.
Requirements: a good Spanish level is
full required.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here
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Radio for Peace
International
Mission: This organization, founded in 1987 by charter
from the United Nations, is a short-wave radio station heard in 120+ countries
around the world that seeks to serve as a global messenger of peace and hope by
broadcasting programs that promote human rights and tolerance, increase global
awareness, inform/educate isolated populations, expose prejudice hatred and
injustice and advocate environmental awareness and healing.
Current Projects: Their current and
continuing project is to produce in-house all broadcast material. This means
that all people working here investigate and write news programs, record, edit
and make them otherwise newsworthy. They also receive programs from sister
stations and past interns. Another focus is locating funding because although
they were created by the United Nations, receive no funding from them. They
have used personal funds and written grant proposals till today
Possible Duties: They host 8 -10 interns each summer who come
from around the world to create and produce the radio station shows. Staff of
directors demands that all interns are able to use all the equipment . It means
everyone should have the ability to produce a program, beginning to end.
Additionally Interns also take turns as announcer to bridge programs on air. For
someone with interests in radio and world events, this is could be the right
place to get a real hands on experience.
Requirements: All station work is done
in English. Spanish is good but there is plenty to do even without fluency.
Cost of pack: Must to request price of
program to agency. Reserve Here