Description

We have many diverse internship placements to choose from throughout Costa Rica.

While on the program you will live with a Costa Rican host family. Sharing your daily life with them will provide you with experience and insight into the culture that you could never have had as a tourist. Soon you will become immersed in "Tico" culture and live "pura vida."

Highlights

I. Accommodation
During their internships, participants will live with a Costa Rican family either by themselves or with a group of other volunteers. Participants will be provided with 2-3 meals a day and laundry service. Living with a host family will give participants an invaluable insight into the "real" Costa Rica.

*A handful of internships offer on-site living instead of home stay accommodations.

II. Language Classes:
To those who need them, optional language classes are available. These classes are held prior to starting the internship and are usually one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor. They cost an additional USD 400/ week and include home-stay accommodations and meals. Classes are a great way to be introduced to a new country and improve participants' Spanish skills.

III. Internship placement:
Health Care
* Paramedical Assistant

Locations: Heredia and Cartago

Description of Project and Duties:
Participants with this program work with a paramedical team in either San Jose or Heredia, getting first-hand experience with the team by responding to emergency calls in the ambulance. The internship schedule will mirror that of the paramedical team: 24 hours on call at headquarters and 24 hours off. Each intern will be paired with 2 or 3 Costa Rican paramedics, with whom they will complete their shifts. Interns will work 2-3 shift s a week.

Aside from emergency calls, the paramedics will also transfer patients from one hospital to another and host health and safety fairs in the community. CPR and paramedical training will be provided by the staff so that interns develop an understanding of the necessary procedures and terminology. This is not only a great opportunity to get medical experience, but also to work closely with Costa Rican's in the medical field.

* Clinical Medicine

Locations: Montezuma

Description of Project and Duties:
This internship enables pre-med, medical, nursing, pharmacology, and public health students to experience a hands-on placement in a public clinic. The clinics AIDE works with also undertake home visits where doctors and nurses try to educate families on preventative medicine. Interns will take on administrative tasks in addition to assisting with patient exams and attending home visits.

Requirements:
Some previous medical experience or relevant coursework.

* Physical Therapy and Special Education

Location: Quepos/Manuel Antonio

Description of Project and Duties:
The mission of this project is to improve the quality of life for handicapped children in the rural Pacific coast region of Costa Rica. Basic services for the disabled are located in San Jose, Costa Rica, a six to nine hour round trip bus ride. Since the center operates in a rural area where this type of care is non-existent, they welcome children with all types of physical and mental disabilities.

AIDE interns will assist with daily activities such as art classes, games, and sports. There are also special education classes and specialized speech and physical therapy sessions. Usually interns will find themselves gravitating towards a few certain children and become more of a personal coach and mentor.

*Please note that specific details, such as exact work hours and the type of work, can only be determined by expertise, skills, attitude, and Spanish fluency. Also, some programs do have special requirements that are needed to be accepted.

Also Included:
- Pre-departure orientation
- Guaranteed internship placement
- Visa assistance (if needed)
- Travel/Medical insurance
- Airport pick-up
- Transfer to your accommodations
- Arrival orientation
- One way transportation to the city of your internship placement
- Accommodations and meals
- Full-time local representative in Costa Rica
- 24/7 personal support
- Certificate of completion (upon request)

Qualifications

* Participants must be at least 18 years of age
* Participants must be eligible to receive a tourist visa to Costa Rica
* Other requirements may apply according to the internship position offered

Intern Types

• Health Sciences
• Medicine

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Program Fees Include:

1 month: USD 2,000
2 months: USD 2,600
3 months: USD 3,200
Additional Week(s): USD 150

Language Classes Fees
1 week: USD 400
2 weeks: USD 800
3 weeks: USD 1,200

AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of the services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser for more information.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 months

AIDE Abroad's Mission Statement

AIDE Abroad's mission is to provide international experiences that impart professional and personal growth, develop leadership skills, and enhance intercultural competence and understanding.

Year Founded

2007