Education internships take place in private or International Baccalaureate (IB) schools. Classes are conducted in English, and the schools are generally bilingual. Interns are paired with a designated faculty member who serves as their supervisor.
We carefully consider your goals and interests when selecting your internship placement to ensure you gain valuable experience in your field. However, placements are designed to be mutually beneficial, so assigned tasks may vary depending on the school’s current projects and objectives.
While you are supported by in-country coordinators, daily activities at the placement require independence and leadership.
Days and Hours
Working hours vary but generally range from 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday. In addition, you will attend daily 1-hour Spanish classes and may have some additional tasks to complete outside of your work hours. Weekends are free for relaxation, exploration, or travel.
Personal Appearance
In Costa Rica, personal hygiene and professional attire are highly valued. Even in warm weather, beachwear is not suitable for the city. Business casual attire is required for interns, with clothing that is modest and neat. Ensure your shoulders and knees are covered, and avoid overly revealing or extravagant clothing.
Daily Transportation
Internship placements are located in the San José area. The most economical way to commute is by walking or taking public buses, with travel times ranging from 15 to 60 minutes each way. Depending on your housing and placement locations, you may need to change buses. Taxis are also widely available but more costly.
On your first day, a representative will guide you on how to use local transportation to and from your internship site. Please note that interns are responsible for their daily transportation costs, with local bus rides typically costing less than ₡350 (about $0.60) per trip. We recommend budgeting around $5 per day for transportation.
Spanish Classes for Interns
As part of your program, you will attend daily 1-hour Spanish lessons from Monday to Friday. These classes are tailored to your language level and work schedule, with a focus on vocabulary relevant to your internship placement.
Our Native Spanish Program is taught by experienced, certified instructors using the Communicative Method, which emphasizes immersive, spoken interaction. Teachers communicate entirely in Spanish during class.
Deliverables
All interns must submit weekly journals and a final deliverable:
- Practicums (less than 8 weeks): Either a 10-20 page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
- Internships (8 weeks or longer): Both a 10-20 page written paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
Your final deliverables should include:
- An overview of your placement and role
- An organization review
- A sector analysis (in your host or home country)
- An analysis of obstacles encountered
- Outcomes and results
Maximize Your Experience
The success of your internship largely depends on your efforts and attitude. Be prepared for language barriers and cultural differences in work structure, hours, and management styles. Taking a proactive approach to your work will help you make the most of this opportunity.
Location
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and located in the middle of the country. It’s in a great spot to enjoy the city, as well as trips to the beach on the weekends. Around a 2 to 4 hour drive from the city, you will find rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. San Jose also has plenty of shopping, cinemas, restaurants and nightlife.
Project Tasks
- Assisting with and observing classroom instruction and management
- Developing lesson plans and teaching specific subjects
- Working with students individually or in small groups
- Attending weekly meetings with the school director
