AIFS Abroad Internships in San José, Costa Rica

Global Experiences in San Jose provided us an opportunity to explore an environment that was very different from what most of us were used to and in a way that gave us time to go explore on our own during many of the weekends (in addition to a few planned trips to places that were really unique and interesting). San Jose (and sometimes Costa Rica as a whole) was very different from what some of us expected and they were many weekends where we had really amazing and crazy adventures. We were able to explore so much, have so much fun and make lifelong memories along the way.

Besides our weekend and planned trips, we spent most of our actual time in San Jose at our internships. All of our internships were pretty different and unique (mine was an NGO working to organize girls' clubs in disadvantaged communities to prevent teen pregnancy), although some of us had shared experiences with similar work environments or focus areas. Our local coordinator, Mariel, was really helpful and really tried to set us up with the best suited internships but did so almost entirely with people or groups that she knew first-hand or second-hand or trusted would be great opportunities for us.

Mariel was very friendly and even organized a group-work day where we all went to a work-share area with a pool and shared about our work experiences and learned about each other, which was a great addition to our already-planned events. She also really tried to set me up with an additional internship in another field I'm really passionate about (i.e., indigenous issues) and although the opportunity did not pan out about because of lack of availability, she really tried to find me another opportunity on top of the one she had already set me up with, which was really generous and thoughtful, and I know future interns will be in great hands.

An internship through Global Experiences in San Jose is unreal. It's unlike anything you've done in a place that most people don't travel to. Having both support and independence makes it an amazing experience for sure! There are so many things unique to living in San Jose and in Costa Rica that really do make the experience both professionally and personally worthwhile in every sense. Being able to travel with the group of interns and on your own make the experience just that much better.

Mariel was amazing and such a huge help to adjusting to Costa Rican life, was able to show us all the local spots and make the two months in San Jose feel like home. There isn't anything that quite lives up to how incredible, personal and unique a trip like this really is!

If you are looking for a work experience unlike any other, then look no further! San Jose is a wonderful city filled with great opportunities for people with almost any interest imaginable. Your internship will be high-quality; you won't just be getting coffee, you'll be involved in meaningful work that impacts your company/organization. While there are certainly challenges throughout the experience, learning how to overcome them is incredibly rewarding, and by the end of your internship, you will have grown into a more mature, confident, and capable person. You will also make connections through your work that will be invaluable in your future professional endeavors. Going all the way to a country like Costa Rica might be an intimidating prospect, but the results are far more gratifying than anything you might find in a more familiar setting. If you want to gain work experience while having an adventure, then this is the program for you!

Interning in San José, Costa Rica was a really interesting experience that took me far out of my comfort zone. This is a unique location because once there, you are immediately immersed in the culture. This may seem like a lot at first, but it ends up being helpful because you get acclimated quickly! Even though Costa Rica is small, it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the whole world. When here, be sure to go on adventures every weekend to see all of the beauty Costa Rica has to offer--from the highest mountains and volcanoes to the beautiful beaches! This experience has pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, which has aided me so much in my personal and professional development! If you are interested in the Spanish language, adventuring, or just doing something really unique, you must come to CR!