Zoology & Wildlife Sciences Internships in Costa Rica

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

At Roots, we believe valuable learning and making an impact can go hand-in-hand. That's why we offer academic internships with grassroots organizations around the world. As an intern, you'll have a unique work experience that will inspire you, enhance your career, and allow you to gain insight into grassroots development work. At the same time, you'll contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Join an internship that truly matters for you and the world! The focus areas of our internships are wide-ranging: from female empowerment and early childhood development to wildlife conservation and food security. No matter your degree or career focus, we'll be able to find you an internship that matches your interests and requirements. Our internships are based across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia with year-round remote, in-person, and hybrid placements. What we'll offer you: - Careful matchmaking - Assistance with traveling (visas, flights, accommodation, etc.) - Supervision during your placement - Regular check-ins and troubleshooting - Career-driven opportunity Get in touch for a free internship consultation!

Get the chance to work with injured animals from the Amazon rainforest or at a shelter for sea turtles in one of our internships abroad. At the Institute for Global Studies, we help students gain invaluable work experience in their field from an international context. Wildlife shelter work can bring out the best of human nature. Connecting with abandoned animals instills a sense of accomplishment that few tasks provide. Apart from bonding with animals, gain insight into local communities and their interactions with wildlife in their area. Meet with students, residents, and the general public to learn about their customs. Common duties include food preparation, checking in animals, interpretation to the public, medical assistance, and community outreach.

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 a country where meaningful work meets breathtaking natural beauty. Through World Endeavors’ internship programs, you’ll gain professional experience while living in one of the most sustainable and biodiverse places in the world. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, conservation, business, or education, you’ll find opportunities that match your goals and help you grow personally and professionally. Internships are available year-round with flexible start dates, typically lasting from 2 to 6 months. You’ll be based in Atenas, a welcoming town known for its perfect climate and friendly community. Living with a local host family allows you to enjoy authentic Costa Rican culture, home-cooked meals, and daily Spanish language practice. With ongoing support from local coordinators and a dedicated advisor, you’ll have everything you need to make your internship experience rewarding, educational, and unforgettable.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

CIEE offers the most extensive network of internship programs. Are you a U.S. college student looking to study and intern abroad? We have full-time and part-time placements across 40+ locations worldwide and in diverse fields, from AI and engineering to public policy and business administration. Find the right fit for you! Live, learn, and work abroad on an internship program with CIEE! CIEE Summer Internships CIEE Summer Global Internships are 6-credit, 8-week programs with full-time working hours (approximately 30 hours weekly) and a seminar. CIEE Summer Intern and Study Abroad are 6 to 7-credit, 6-week programs with a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and a 3-credit academic course. CIEE Semester Internships CIEE Semester Global Internships are 9 to 13-credit, 12-week programs that feature a full-time internship (approximately 30 hours weekly), a seminar, and an optional 3 to 4-credit academic course online. CIEE Semester Intern and Study Abroad Programs are 12 to 14-credit, 12-week programs that feature a part-time internship​ (approximately 20 hours weekly), a seminar, and two academic courses.

The programs carried out by GVI Costa Rica takes a holistic approach to the conservation of the area. GVI helps to monitor every ecosystem of this incredibly diverse area - forest, canal, beach, and sea. As with all conservation initiatives, numerous essential factors are involved to make and carry out informed decisions – trained personnel, resources, and accurate information. You have the opportunity to gain an internationally recognized qualification in Biological Survey Techniques in this internship program. Live and work with our research team in a remote environment, where you will gain vital skills and experience essential for future work in the field of conservation or beyond. Included in your training is a First Aid qualification course.

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!"

Help Protect, Rescue, and Care for Animals Around the World If you’re passionate about animals and dream of making a real difference, our Animal Care & Wildlife Volunteering Abroad Programs offer unforgettable opportunities to work hands-on with animals in need. With Volunteering Journeys, you can join projects that protect wildlife and rescue domestic animals in Sri Lanka, Peru, and South Africa — three of the world’s most biodiverse and inspiring destinations. Whether you’re looking to care for stray dogs, assist with wildlife rehabilitation, or help protect endangered elephants and sea lions, these programs are perfect for animal lovers, veterinary students, and gap-year travelers who want to combine meaningful work with adventure.

The Science Exchange is the only nonprofit organization offering affordable, customized, field-based sea turtle research internships for undergraduate and graduate science students worldwide. Interns travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and other Latin American destinations, where they undertake a range of tasks. They can work at a sea turtle research center on the beach or in a lab, collect field data for research papers, and immerse themselves in the local culture! Upon successful completion, they can earn at least three university credits. We help them publish and present their work at professional conferences. Over 65% of our interns publish with their mentors, and many graduates have landed jobs with sea turtle or other conservation groups! To participate in this international internship program, participants must be at least 18 years of age. Conversational Spanish is desired, but not required. French speakers and Portuguese speakers are welcome. Our interns must be able to live in tropical climates with basic amenities.

This internship supports wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release at the Toucan Rescue Ranch in the rainforest of Costa Rica. The ranch has special expertise in toucan, owl, and sloth rehabilitation but also takes in monkeys, wild cats, weasels, otters, and more! You will help evaluate animals for release, focusing on the Saving Sloths Together program. You will most likely see several sloth electrocution cases, an unfortunately common occurrence because of power lines built across the rainforest canopy. This often brings in baby sloths to be hand-raised, which you will learn about from Ranch Founder, Leslie Howle. You will also study orthopedic surgery, eye medicine, and cell regeneration therapy for wildlife animals during this internship! Each week will comprise four video calls: two with the veterinarians at the ranch, one with the husbandry team, and one in the veterinary clinic observing treatments and procedures. This internship entails 60 veterinary hours, which includes about 20 hours of independent projects.

The veterinary internship program places vet students in clinics where they can assist veterinary doctors and technicians. Interns can work with animals by assisting doctors in medical procedures, feeding, bathing, brushing, obedience training, administering medicine, cleaning cages, animal rehabilitation. Depending on experience, interns can help in vaccinations, surgeries, and diagnosis. Interns enrolled or that completed a degree related to animal care are preferred. Basic Spanish knowledge is preferred. Possible tasks: - Assisting in small clinical procedures. - Preparing and sterilizing medical equipment. - Helping take notes and take data from animals. - Helping take samples from animals. - Administrative work. - Bathing and cleaning animals. - Shadowing doctors as needed.