Internships for San Ramón, Costa Rica

Internships will not be offered in San Ramon during the 23-24 academic year

USAC internships abroad are a great way to enhance your educational experience. Participating in a structured work or research experience with an international organization, whether in-person or virtually, will help you gain valuable skills and hands-on experience while expanding your professional network and immersing yourself in the workplace culture of Costa Rica.

A $985 internship placement fee will be required of all students participating in an in-person USAC internship. This fee helps offset the costs of securing quality internship placements and helps provide a range of professional development activities, including an online internship seminar, career workshops, and panel discussions.

For more information on eligibility requirements and application process see the USAC internship page.

Virtual placements are offered through USAC’s virtual internship program. For more information about the program, see the virtual internships page.

Internship placements in San Ramón require six semesters of college Spanish unless otherwise noted

*Placement with a particular internship provider is not guaranteed

Placements available in the following fields:

Business

English-Language Instruction

Health and Wellness

NGO and Social Services

Research - Sciences

Business

A women's cooperative manufacturing lotions, shampoos, and other personal care products from organically-sourced materials produced on cooperative farms

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Assist in manufacturing and developing products
• Research new techniques and methods to improve production
• Assist in the promotion and distribution of products

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Summer

English-Language Instruction

An NGO providing social and educational support to children living in poverty as well as promoting developmental opportunities for families

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Assist in English-language teaching and tutoring
• Assist in curriculum development and lesson planning appropriate to the age and proficiency level of students

Requirements

• Basic Spanish proficiency

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Summer, Semester

Health and Wellness

Community health clinics comprised of at least one physician, one nursing assistant, and one primary care technical assistant with support staff in pharmacy services, social work, nursing, dentistry, health records, laboratory services, and in some cases, nutrition and psychology services providing comprehensive care to children, adolescents, women and seniors

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Observe and assist in basic medical diagnosis and therapy
• Assist in patient interviews
• Develop a familiarity with the primary healthcare system in Costa Rica
• Acquire medical terminology necessary for patient treatment

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Semester

Health and Wellness

A comprehensive hospital serving the city of San Ramón as part of the Costa Rican public healthcare system. Includes departments in surgical services, physical therapy, pediatrics, diabetes, and pharmaceutical services

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Shadow general practitioners and observe treatments and surgeries, including: hysterectomy, knee replacement, ulcer, infant health, C-section, wart removal, etc.
• Assist in post-surgery physical therapy with patients under doctor's supervision
• Observe, test, and log breast milk samples
• Observe blood donor interviews, stick and draw process
• Take notes for doctors, communicate with other health departments, take inventory, observe checkups

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish
• Interns must provide their own scrubs

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Semester

NGO and Social Services

An NGO supporting conservation efforts, protecting biodiversity, and environmental outreach and education

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Conduct research on conservation efforts
• Assist in organizing events and outreach efforts
• Assist with administrative tasks and special projects

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms:

• In-Person: Semester

NGO and Social Services

A rural mollusk harvesting cooperative organized and operated by women supporting rural economic development, women's empowerment, and environmental education and ecotourism

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Assist in research, reforestation, and fieldwork
• Develop a communications campaign to raise awareness of the cooperative and their goals

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Semester

Research - Sciences

An NGO promoting environmental education, scientific research, and community outreach programs to promote the conservation of cloud forests and stewardship of watershed ecosystems in northern Costa Rica

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Study the behavior of the leaf cutter ants (Atta cephalotes)
• Assist the lead researcher gather data about the behavior of the ants.

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Semester

Research - Sciences

An NGO promoting environmental education, scientific research, and community outreach programs to promote the conservation of cloud forests and stewardship of watershed ecosystems in northern Costa Rica

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Identify aquatic macroinvertebrates from creeks in the La Balsa watershed
• Assess water quality
• Participate in community outreach and education

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Semester

Research - Sciences

A research station located in the cloud forest of San Ramón Alajuela offering educational and research facilities as well as recreational activities focused on the study of the biodiversity of flora and fauna, water resources, and tourism sustainability, among others

Sample Work Responsibilities

• Collect specimens of insects from conservation areas
• Place traps throughout the reserve for the collection of specimens
• Learn how to preserve and mount the specimens for the insect collection of the Research Station

Requirements

• Six semesters of college Spanish

Formats/Terms

• In-Person: Semester