AIFS Abroad Internships in San Jose, Costa Rica

I had an excellent experience with the Summer 2024 Internship Program in San Jose, Costa Rica! I initially applied for the program because I always had a knack for international travel and I needed a Summer Internship to help me gain proper work experience for my Accounting Major, and AIFS Work Abroad helped me get the best in both worlds. My housing situation was just what I needed and allowed me an opportunity to forge bonds with fellow AIFS Interns as well as local Costa Rican students. It was located right by some supermarkets and even a shopping mall, helping us Interns fulfil our daily needs. The AIFS center also provided excellent cultural immersion excursions, allowing me and my fellow AIFS interns/students to enjoy the rich biodiversity, cuisine (like Casados and fresh fruit), and hospitality of Costa Rica. AIFS Staff even offered guidance for students that might have had trouble commuting to the workplace that had hired them as an intern, including me, who needed specific bus directions. AIFS upon receiving my resume and cover letter wasted no time trying to get me paired with a workplace looking for an Intern of my background: an Auditing Department at a local Municipality. Once they connected them with me, I conducted an interview with them and got the job. My supervisor and colleagues were very friendly, always looked out for me, and made sure my work quality was up to standard even when they had long, busy days. My supervisor gave me a project where I analyzed the greatest risks facing the Auditing Department, but I finished my deliverables so fast that I needed mini projects to apply my learning and keep me busy, which my supervisor was happy to provide. My workplace allowed a flexible work schedule to make room for AIFS Excursions (which occasionally happened on weekdays) and was conveniently located enough so that I could commute easily through bus/uber. The only slight hiccup with the entire work process is the fact that it wasn't initially clear that my workplace worked all in Spanish and had limited English (Note: this might vary for workplaces in Costa Rica) before I conducted the interview, but since I already had an Intermediate Spanish Background which contributed to my desire to apply for the Costa Rica Intern Abroad program specifically, I adjusted accordingly and became the best of friends with my colleagues. AIFS did a great job in identifying a workplace that was right for me, and my workplace did a fantastic job in ensuring I had the proper learning, working, and bonding experience. Overall, I believe that the AIFS Internship in Costa Rica is top notch and even exceeded my initial expectations. I would recommend this program to any student that needs some work experience in their field as well as a good cultural immersion experience. I would even recommend this program to students who aren't the most adventurous, because getting work experience in a different country will greatly help them gain relevant hands-on knowledge and an International Network, and the cultural activities AIFS offers may help them warm up to life Abroad. I hope my story inspires students to go down the same path, and as they say in Costa Rica, "Pura Vida!"

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in the internship abroad program in Costa Rica, organized by an outstanding company that provided an experience that was both enriching and stress-free. First and foremost, the program was impeccably organized. The detailed itinerary ensured that our 11 weeks there was filled with valuable experiences, visiting various places in Costa Rica. The company left no room for uncertainty, which was greatly appreciated in an unfamiliar country. One of the highlights of this program was the strong sense of community fostered among participants. From day one, we were encouraged to bond and support each other, creating friendships that enhanced the entire experience. This sense of camaraderie made navigating a foreign environment much easier and more enjoyable. The program's value was also evident in its inclusivity. The price was certainly worth it given the comprehensive services provided. The company not only arranged relevant internships and interviews, ensuring professional development, but also curated exciting weekend excursions that allowed us to explore Costa Rica's natural beauty. While I felt a bit overqualified in my internship placement and would have appreciated a greater challenge, the experience still benefited my resume and allowed me to gain valuable insights into the local work environment. Overall, my study abroad experience in Costa Rica exceeded expectations. I would highly recommend this program to anyone seeking a transformative and well-organized international education experience. The memories and skills gained from this adventure are truly priceless.

My experience with AIFS played a huge role in me finding my path as a student, in my career, and as a person. I was placed in an internship where we worked closely with the Municipality of Curridabat in the CITBIO project. We met with everyone from the mayor, city planners, university professors and students, and closely with landscape architects, arboreal, agricultural, soil, avian, and ecological experts. My comfort zone has expanded considerably, I went into this experience knowing no one and no Spanish, but AIFS provided us with opportunities to bond and to learn, and that is exactly what happened. This has catalyzed growth for me in ways I could not have imagined prior to this experience. If I could give any advice to someone looking into this program it would be to TRUST THE PROCESS. There will be ups and downs, of course, that is life, but take every opportunity available and embrace the discomfort because that is the beauty of it all-- seeing the full spectrum of the experience and carrying that with you.