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Classroom Internship in Costa Rica's Cloud Forest School

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Cloud Forest School - Centro de Educación Creativa
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About

The Cloud Forest School semester internship is a 4-month, field-based learning experience. Interns work as full-time assistants to a classroom teacher where they learn to plan and give lessons, evaluate student work and behavior, and refine their classroom management skills. They work closely with a cooperating teacher to assist in all aspects of the classroom.

Interns live with school homestay families, helping them to integrate into the local culture while being fully immersed in a Spanish speaking lifestyle as well. Interns attend teaching meetings, professional development sessions, and become a part of the CFS family.

Highlights
  • Work with our wonderful teachers and students!
  • Get authentic classroom experience!
  • Learn Spanish!
  • Be integrated into local culture!
  • Become part of the caring Cloud Forest School community!

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

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based on 2 reviews
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  • Growth 10
  • Support 10
  • Fun 9
  • Housing 9.5
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Default avatar
Kayla
Age:
26
Female
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

Apr 7, 2014

The Cloud Forest School is one of the best schools that I have ever had the opportunity to work with. They staff is unbelievably dedicated to the students and in turn, the interns. The bilingual challenge for me, as a native English speaker with limited Spanish, really pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow as an individual and a teacher. The students were great to work with and were very understanding of the fact that I was learning to become a teacher. They were always willing to help. I am missing it everyday.

What would you improve about this program?
I really have a hard time recommending anything for change. Although it is true that nothing is perfect, the CEC runs an incredible school and the powerful impact they have vastly covers any flaws.
Default avatar
Alicia
Age:
34
Female
Monteverde, Costa Rica
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rican Paradise

Dec 13, 2013

I completed a three month counseling internship after completing my Master's in School Counseling. This experiences changed my future plan drastically. I fell in love with the Monteverde area and the Cloud Forest School. I was able to enjoy the beautiful cloud forest everyday as I walked around campus working with students and staff. The support and acceptance I experienced from the staff made my time away from home very enjoyable. In a very short time I was able to develop a home away from home. It took me a while to become accustom to finding scorpions and other insects in my living and working space, but all my experiences have left me with some great stories. I was participating in a yoga class one day when a scorpion fell off the ceiling right through my hair and onto my yoga mat! I was able to remain calm as the scorpion was tossed outside and we continued our yoga class without much interruption. That is something I have never experienced before! Through my work at the Cloud Forest School I was able to see a positive change in the lives of the students I worked with. This is the best results of any work with children in my opinion. I am so grateful that I took a leap of faith and came to Monteverde for this unique, empowering experience!

What would you improve about this program?
During my experience I was able to receive informal feedback from my supervisor every week. I would have liked to have a more formal process for feedback and guidance in order to get the most growth out of my experience. This feedback could have come from numerous people including administrators, teachers, and parents. I believe in the power and importance of constructive feedback.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Chelsea Henderson

Program
Classroom Internship in Costa Rica's Cloud Forest School
Chelsea is originally from Atlanta, GA. She has a bachelor's of science degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Mathematics Education. She originally visited Monteverde, Costa Rica in 2007 and fell in love with the area and the Costa Rican culture. She has lived in Monteverde and worked at the school since August 2010.
Interview with Chelsea, External Relations Manager at Cloud Forest School

What position do you hold at Cloud Forest School? What has been your career path so far?

Chelsea: I am the External Relations Manager here at the Cloud Forest School. I manage all our international programs here at the school, including international admissions (families and high school students), interns, volunteers, and volunteer groups. This is my fourth year at the Cloud Forest School. I previously worked as the high school math teacher for three years here at the school.

What is your favorite story of a student's experience with Cloud Forest School in Costa Rica?

Chelsea: I remember being so impressed my first year with two international students from the US who were here on their own studying in the 11th grade. The fact that they were able to leave home and come experience a new culture at such a young age, while really making the most of the opportunity, was really inspiring to me.

What does the future hold for Cloud Forest School - any exciting new programs to share?

Chelsea: The Cloud Forest School is expanding its international programs across the board. One of our newest programs, which we hope to grow and encourage more international participation, is our Summer Program offered in June and July. These programs allow for international as well as local families to participate in fun activities on campus, while learning Spanish and about the Costa Rican culture. We also invite interested adults and college students to participate in the program by volunteering or serving as a summer intern.

What's one piece of advice you would offer someone considering a program abroad in Costa Rica?

Chelsea: Come prepared to experience a different culture; that means be open to not only a new language, but different daily customs, cuisine, style of homes, and values. With the Cloud Forest School, you will be placed in a vetted homestay family, who have children enrolled in the school. These are great experiences for our participants who are willing to embrace a life that may be different than what they are used to.

About Cloud Forest School - Centro de Educación Creativa

Located in the heart of the Monteverde Cloud Forest in beautiful Costa Rica, The Cloud Forest School serves more than 200 students from Pre-K through 11th grade. We take pride in the fact that 95% of our student population are local students and that we are able to provide financial aid to over 75% of our student population. Volunteers, interns...