For many of us, we think of Costa Rica as the ideal place for a relaxing and peaceful vacation, but this magnificent country can also be the ideal destination for an internship!
If you’re asking yourself, “why travel to Costa Rica?”, our answer will mostly be praising the country, because not only does it have some of the most breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, it also presents a multitude of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether you’re a student or a young professional looking for a memorable internship, Costa Rica’s charm and abundant highlights will undoubtedly leave you inspired and transformed.
10 Reasons to Intern in Costa Rica
There are many reasons why you should consider doing an internship in Costa Rica. Here are some reasons to intern in Costa Rica that will hopefully convince you to embark on an unforgettable experience!
1. Vibrant Culture
The high-spirited culture of Costa Rica alone is one of the reasons why Costa Rica is the best country, or at least one of the best, to intern in. The country offers a unique and vibrant culture, providing you with a chance to immerse yourself in the local customs, traditions, and language. With the exposure to a different culture, it can also lead to a broader worldview and increase your cultural awareness.
2. Biodiversity
Costa Rica is renowned for its rich biodiversity and commitment to conservation. Interning in Costa Rica can give you hands-on experience in various environmental internships, as well as contributing to the preservation of Costa Rica’s natural treasures. Additionally, if you’re interested in a conservation internship, our conservation marketing internship may interest you!
3. Delicious, Fresh Cuisine
Many people wonder why is Costa Rica so popular as a travel destination. One of the many reasons Costa Rica attracts foreign visitors is the delicious, diverse range of cuisine, from tropical fruits to flavorful rice and beans (gallo pinto) to ceviche and casados (traditional dishes with meat, rice, beans, and plantains). Trying these local delicacies during an internship in Costa Rica will definitely be a treat for your taste buds!
4. Sharpen Your Language Skills
If you’re interested in improving your Spanish language skills, Costa Rica is a prime location to do it. With Spanish being the national language, nearly 98% of Costa Ricans speak Spanish fluently, so if you want to get around easily then you’ll need to learn a bit of the language. Becoming an intern in Costa Rica presents an excellent opportunity to sharpen your Spanish language skills through daily interactions with locals as well as colleagues in your work environment.
5. Professional Growth
Whether your passion lies in eco-tourism, hospitality, agriculture, technology, or beyond, Costa Rica presents a perfect setting for your professional growth. Each internship opportunity that we offer in Costa Rica paves the way for acquiring a new unique set of skills and fueling your passion for a specific field. For example, if you decide to choose our conservation marketing internship, you’ll build valuable skills and experience and gain multifaceted insights on raising awareness and funds in a nonprofit context. Ultimately, each internship opportunity will lead to opening new career paths that guide you to a fulfilling and purposeful future!
6. Networking Opportunities
Interning in Costa Rica with Roots will lead you to a network of professionals, both local and international, which can be valuable for future career opportunities or collaborations. One of the many benefits of interning with Roots is that you’ll be working with NGOs, which means you’ll have a more intimate internship experience than what you’d have interning with a corporation. In smaller NGO environments, there is more room for initiative and creativity, so you’ll be encouraged to take on projects or propose new ideas, which can help you stand out and build valuable connections. With these new networking opportunities, you’ll start to establish your presence in your preferred industry.
One of the many benefits of choosing Costa Rica is the number of internship opportunities; whether you are interested in a marketing related internship or you want to focus on a specific type of conservation, like sea turtle conservation, each Costa Rica internship will open doors to new possibilities.
7. Unforgettable Adventures
Costa Rica is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, such as the Poás Volcano National Park, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, and the Arenal Volcano. During your time off, you can explore the country’s natural wonders and engage in exciting activities, like surfing, zip-lining, hiking, and wildlife spotting. Doing activities outside your internship and visiting beautiful locations will help you relax and unwind, and help you learn why Costa Rica is known for its “Pura Vida” lifestyle!
8. Personal Growth
Living and working in a foreign country can be a bit challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Being an intern in Costa Rica, away from your familiar support structures, will encourage you to become more independent and self-reliant. You’ll learn to navigate new situations, handle challenges, and make decisions on your own, which will all contribute to massive personal growth.
9. Sustainable Development
If you want to take care of our planet, then what better way to do it than taking part in an internship in one of the leading countries for sustainable development and eco-friendly practices! Doing an internship in this environmentally conscious country will allow you to become part of projects and organizations that promote green initiatives and conservation efforts.
10. Lasting Memories
Being an intern in Costa Rica will be a life-changing adventure; you’ll create lasting memories and make friends from around the world. Also, when doing an internship with an NGO, you gain a special sense of fulfillment, mainly because you’re working towards a good cause. You will absolutely never forget the experiences you have during an internship in Costa Rica.
Top Internships in Costa Rica with NGOs
Now that you know why Costa Rica is the best country for internships, it’s time to review your options. Below we’ve compiled a list of our best NGO internships in Costa Rica to help you get started.
SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP
In this internship, your role will be focused on supporting and maintaining COPROT’s sea turtle conservation projects. You’ll receive training in data collection and in-field conservation research, which will help you develop extensive knowledge about sea turtles and their behavior.
CONSERVATION MARKETING INTERNSHIP
As a conservation marketing intern in Costa Rica, you’ll help promote the valuable work COPROT does and rally their support. Your role will take a variety of forms, all with the goal of raising awareness about important conservation work and connecting the organization with donors, collaborators, and volunteers.
How to Get an Internship in Costa Rica with Roots
If you are truly interested in getting an internship in Costa Rica, Roots can help you find the perfect match for you! All you need to do is fill out our application form. The requirements for the application include filling out your basic personal information, the destinations and internships you’re interested in, your preferred start and end dates, and lastly, uploading your CV.
After you’ve submitted your application, we’ll set up a call with you to review your application, and if we feel it’s a good match, we’ll get you in contact with the supervisor for your preferred internship in Costa Rica. After your call, if everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, get started with the booking process, and send you all the info you may need.
With all of these reasons why Costa Rica is the best country for internships in mind, we can guarantee you that interning in Costa Rica will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! Get in touch with our team or browse our full list of internships in Costa Rica to learn more.
This blog was written by Gabriel Ruiz
