Provide medical and health care for those in need in the vivacious city of San Jose, Costa Rica! This internship is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to build a foundation in the healthcare system and obtain global experience in an international medical system.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum four-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your homestay in San Jose. Spend the day settling in and enjoy the young and vibrant atmosphere of the nation’s capital.
Day 1, Monday: Your host family will accompany you to the institute for your welcome and orientation on your first day. After completing a full orientation about your placement, the Field Manager will take your to your assigned placement location where you will begin your volunteer tasks. Volunteer work will depend on your experience and qualifications, level of Spanish, as well as the needs of the project.
Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Interns will work 6-8 hours per day, on either a morning or afternoon shift, depending on the needs of the program at the time. A 1-hour Spanish lesson is also included daily into the schedule. Specific tasks vary, and depending upon placement, previous experience and language skills.
Days 6-7, Saturday-Sunday: Weekends are free for relaxing or exploring.
Remaining Weeks & Final Project: The remaining weeks will follow a similar schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having Saturday-Sunday free. Participants have a minimum of 3 meetings with their dedicated Internship Supervisor during the program. These meetings will assist interns in staying on track with their learning objectives and their internship’s mandatory final project which is a 1-hour presentation and a 10-20 page written paper.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
This project takes place in the spirited capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose. Costa Rica is located in Central America, with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The city is located in the Central Valley, so volunteers can reach any coast or border in Costa Rica in just 3-4 hours. Within San Jose; however, there is excellent shopping, nightlife and a great live music scene that shouldn’t be missed.
Provide medical and health care for those in need in the vivacious city of San Jose, Costa Rica! Costa Rica is home to an incredibly comprehensive health care system that provides universal healthcare to all the citizens. As an intern, you will be working in an internationally competitive healthcare system and learning about the advantages and opportunities this system provides for the citizens, residents and staff members. Interns will be placed in two sectors of the Costa Rican health care system: assisted living facilities and small, local clinics. Interns usually work one-on-one with a staff member from their given placement, shadowing and assisting them while on site. The needs of the facilities are constantly changing, and because of this, interns will engage in a variety of different activities and will need to be flexible! Your daily tasks will be dependent upon the level of credentials you have.
This internship is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to build a foundation in the healthcare system and obtain global experience in an international medical system. Interns on this program will notice the tangible impact they are making in the local communities they are serving in and be deeply planted in a personal journey of cultural immersion. While interning in San Jose, interns will also have the option of sharpening their Spanish language skills!
Medical interns will either be placed in assisted living facilities or small local clinics for the duration of their internship. Interns will be shadowing medical professionals and, depending on their qualifications, may be involved with more hands-on tasks, such as triage, patient consultations, check-ups, making rounds, elderly care, health education, patient records and taking vital signs.
Some of your tasks may include:
Medical students in 3rd or 4th year can expect to do the following in their placement:
– Work alongside a nurse, doctor, therapist, or other medical professional with consultations
– Do triage, clean wounds, draw blood samples, give sutures and injections
– Provide general care and companionship to patients (talking, feeding, bathing)
– Distribute or sort medicine, teach patients about their medicine
– Clean or prepare materials and equipment, including changing beds
– Assist with administrative work and filing, recording patient data
Please note: Specific tasks will depend on your level of experience, education and Spanish language skills. Physical therapy and dental placements may or may not be available at any given time. For the four-week program, a one-hour presentation or 10-20 page paper is required upon completion. For the eight-week program, both a one-hour presentation and paper are required. Weekly journals are also required.
Typical Schedule: Interns will work Monday-Friday for six to eight hours. Daily, one-hour Spanish language classes are arranged around the working schedule. Weekends are free for interns to spend as they wish.
Holidays: While the project remains open throughout the year, activities and volunteer schedules may vary during holidays. For specific dates, please consult with our placement coordinators.
Consider joining one or more of these specialized program add-ons to add another dimension to your experience in Costa Rica:
Spanish Immersion Week – Recommended Add-on
During your first week in Costa Rica, you can attend Spanish group classes (Monday-Thursday for 4 hours each day) and take part in cultural activities in the evenings. This is a great way to start your volunteer adventure and meet participants from around the world. See Additional Options below for the extra fee, which includes:
Costa Rica Mini-Adventure (6 Days / 7 Nights) – Add-On:
Extend your stay with an exciting adventure across Costa Rica’s top highlights. Visit the iconic Arenal Volcano and relax in natural hot springs, explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens and its wildlife sanctuary, and experience a guided coffee tour from bean to cup.
Enjoy an unforgettable whitewater rafting trip on the Pacuare River, visit Tortuga Island with its white-sand beaches and clear waters, and take part in a traditional cultural evening with local music, dance, and panoramic views over San José.
This add-on combines nature, adventure, and cultural experiences with guided tours, transportation, and selected meals included. See Additional Options below for the extra fee.
Other Activities & Tours
There are lots of things to do in San Jose, such as city tours, shows at the National Theatre, the central market, parks, etc. Our local staff will post a monthly events calendar to let you know about the activities going on. Outside of San Jose you can hike up volcanoes, go white-water rafting or zip-lining, take a trip to the Pacific or Caribbean coasts, and so much more. There are a lot of options at your fingertips. Our staff is well-acquainted with the area and can advise you on the must-see places. You can also book tours and trips through an on-site travel partner in San Jose.
