Sustainable Development Internships in San Jose

Join young volunteers on a life-changing expedition and support their health and well-being as they seize the opportunity. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable youth empowerment and counseling support helping young people through a transformative expedition. You’ll work with an organization dedicated to arranging volunteer expeditions where young people can gain the skills and confidence they need to become future global citizens and leaders. These expeditions are designed to test and challenge volunteers to foster their development and growth. Your role as an intern will be to support volunteers through this journey. This will include taking responsibility for volunteers' health and well-being, offering one-to-one counseling, and deploying conflict-resolution or behavioral management strategies. This versatile program offers broad career development with learning opportunities in an array of transferable skills, ideal for careers in social work, education, or sustainable development.

Costa Rica is a personal favorite of IGS staff members and a location we are all too happy to nudge students looking to practice their Spanish. In the capital city of San Jose, previous participants have worked at a language school where they assisted in the classroom and tutored children. One of our law students requested work in a bilingual law office in the downtown area and we secured a terrific litigation attorney for her. In the highlands of Monteverde, past interns have assisted a rainforest education institute that serves visiting school groups. They helped the local staff educate visitors on the dynamics of what makes a cloud forest unique. Our internship program includes a range of activities such as guided night excursions in search of tree-dwelling ocelots (wild cats) and monstrous tarantulas. Some participants enjoyed rafting through the Pacuare River, a well-reviewed travel spot. One student called it the journey of a lifetime. A side trip to La Fortuna Volcano is sure to produce some excitement while witnessing New World monkeys and some of the world’s most poisonous snakes.

Come, live, and work abroad with an internship in Costa Rica through AIFS Abroad. San José is a city with a welcoming culture, surrounded by natural beauty, and many unique internship opportunities. The capital city of Costa Rica is considered the business center of Central America and has excellent placements in NGOs, engineering, business, and much more. As part of the AIFS Abroad program, we guarantee a tailored internship in your approved career field. Before leaving for San José, you will be provided with our award-winning career development, including Gallup strengths, one-on-one coaching, improvement of your professional documents, and interview prep. During your time in Costa Rica, you and your fellow interns will be taken on a few social and cultural excursions to help you experience everything San José and the surrounding area have to offer. Costa Rica is a culturally rich country with over 5% of the world’s biodiversity, beautiful beaches, and dense rainforest. With so many attractions and hidden gems to explore in San José, there will always be something new for you to experience during your international internship.

Costa Rica is home to extraordinary biodiversity, with rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves, and coastlines that support countless species. This Marine and Environmental Conservation Cohort Internship in Costa Rica is a 4-week program (January 4 – 31, 2026) designed for students, graduates, and nature enthusiasts who want to make a real difference in protecting these ecosystems. Set in one of the world’s most eco-conscious countries, the program combines hands-on conservation work with opportunities to understand how communities and nature thrive together. As a cohort-based program, you’ll participate alongside a group of like-minded peers, building connections with fellow conservation enthusiasts from around the world. Together, you’ll contribute to projects such as sea turtle conservation, coral reef restoration, and sustainable coastal initiatives, while also enjoying structured learning, group excursions, and cultural immersion. This shared journey not only strengthens your professional skills but also creates a supportive environment where lasting friendships and networks are formed.

CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most affordable, comprehensive program packages available. We also don't cut any corners by offering everything you would expect from an overseas program: tuition, housing, support, insurance, excursions, social and cultural activities, and airport pick-up – all considered the core of our package. Some programs also include all or most meals, extensive off-site orientations/excursions, transportation passes, and more. Whether you want to study for a year, semester, or summer, intern for a month to a year, or take an intensive foreign language course for a couple of weeks, CIS Abroad has the perfect program for you at the best value! "You're Going Places with CIS Abroad!"

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.