Cultural Embrace offers a wonderful way for university students, gap breakers, and graduates to gain professional development in Costa Rica. Live the "Pura vida" in the capital, San Jose, or coastal Manuel Antonio/Quepos, and immerse yourself in this beautiful country! You will be able to gain not only valuable work experience, but also a chance to improve your Spanish skills, and explore a particular field from the viewpoint of the Costa Rican culture.

Our Internship in Costa Rica program is aimed at university students and graduates with the appropriate skills, experience and Spanish language from all sectors. We offer a wide variety of work experience placements.  Examples of the fields that we have found internship placements for are: administration, finance, law, medicine/health, zoology/animal welfare, film/television, hospitality and tourism, non-profit, public policy, environment/ecology, social work, education, and more.

The minimum duration for this program is 4 weeks.  You will be enrolled in to an intensive group Spanish language course for the first week of your time in Costa Rica. You are required to have an intermediate level of Spanish or higher, and if you do not meet up to these standards, additional Spanish language classes can be arranged.  Most interns are NOT paid, however a bonus could be negotiated at the discretion of the company.  To get more information about Costa Rica internships, please download the program details, and follow our blogs.

Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences! 

Internship in Costa Rica Offers: 

• Practical international work experience in your field of interest
• A reference from your employer upon completion of your term  
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: sports, music, cooking)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences 
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills

• Guaranteed Internship Offer Prior to Departure
  Cultural Embrace guarantees an internship offer that matches your requested field of interest. Placement confirmed based on employer’s approval prior to departure.  
• Housing
  Cultural Embrace includes a pre-arranged private bedroom with a carefully selected and pre-screened host family in San Jose or Manuel Antonio. Breakfast and dinner are cooked for you during the week. Laundry services are also included with your host family. 
• Arrival Assistance 
  Airport pickup and transfer to your accommodation (in San Jose). Introductions to the host company.
• Travel Insurance:  Basic Major Medical Coverage 
  Our policy provides basic medical coverage. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance, which is available at extra cost.
• Visa Assistance
  All interns travel on a tourist visa to Costa Rica. Your coordinator will give you instructions and let you know the process for applying.
• Cultural Embrace “Culture Kit”
  Before your departure, we send you a packet filled with useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
• First Week of Spanish Language Lessons
  20 hours of Spanish language lessons are included with your program. Improve and practice your Spanish in a small intimate group (max. 8) with a qualified local Spanish teacher. Groups are divided by skill level. In the event that no group can be formed while you are there, students will receive three hours of private tutoring per day. Additional Spanish may be taken before or during your intern-ship. Contact your Cultural Embrace Coordinator to prepare accordingly.
• Full Time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides bi-lingual representation in the US and Costa Rica prior to, during, and after your placement.
• Cultural Activities & Excursions
  Enjoy occasional social, cultural activities and excursions with locals and other interns. Some excursions may require additional transportation and entrance fees.

Want a quick glance view of all our programs and destinations, as well as Intern in Costa Rica's requirements? Click here.

• You must be 18-30 years of age 
• You must have some experience or studied subjects in your desired internship field
• You must have intermediate or advanced Spanish language skill (We offer Spanish language lessons if your language level does not meet an  intermediate level)
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High level of responsibility
• Dedication to the full term of commitment 
• Provide us with a criminal background check

 
Interested in other Costa Rica programs? Consider Volunteer in Costa Rica; or Intern Abroad in other destinations in a wide variety of fields.  

*Please note prices are subject to change according to world currency exchange rates
**Prices listed in US Dollars, and AUD$, CAN$, £,€ accepted


Click here for quick tips on how to make a smooth and successful placement.

1. Obtain the Intern Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Intern Application (pdf).  Intern in Costa Rica Program Details and FAQ (pdf).

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days. 

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

• Intern Program Application
• Signed Work/Intern Agreement
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• University/College transcript (official please)
• Copies of diploma or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter explaining why you want to work in Costa Rica
• Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
• Doctor’s Note verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
• Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
• Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
• One smiling full-length photo of yourself
• US$250 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee) 

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minute phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program fee.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 16-20 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your internship.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 16 weeks or fewer before the desired date of departure. Applications received 12-16 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received fewer than 12 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250. 

Follow our current and past participants through our social media community. Connect through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and CE Blog. For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089.