Request Info
Start Your Summer 2024 Adventure View Programs!
Fall 2024/Spring 2025 Programs Available View Programs!
View January Term 2025 Programs! View Programs!

Full Time Internship | San Jose

Costa Rica | Optional Credit Available | Spring 2024
A group of students on bicycles.
A student on a mountain with a view of a sunset in the background.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Fall 2023

  • Spring 2024

  • Fall 2024

  • Spring 2025

Overview

Intern in Costa Rica and enjoy paradise!

San José, the business center and capital of Costa Rica, is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and a top tourist destinations. San José, considered the gateway to the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, is surrounded by lush rainforests and beautiful mountains. Interning in San José will help you gain valuable international work experience! 

Start by exploring our wide range of internship examples – there are many exciting internship opportunities in San José!  Don’t worry if you do not see what you’re looking for – Global Experiences is always finding new opportunities in order to give everyone a personalized internship match.

What’s Included

The AIFS Abroad inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help interns make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies
  • Guaranteed Internship Placement

    Once accepted into program we guarantee an internship in one of your approved career fields

  • Global Career Readiness Program

    Connecting academic goals to professional experiences 

  • Housing

    Student Residence

  • Excursions & Day Trips

    3-day excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park, a 3-day excursion to Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs and Monteverde Cloud Forest and a day trip to Poás Volcano, Doka Coffee Tour, Grecia & Sarchí Artisan towns

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    A wide range of AIFS-organized cultural activities and social events to enrich your experience.

  • On-Site Location Coordinator

    to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Green Initiative

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance

  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • Flight Package

    Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways

    Airport transfers to and from accommodation

  • Credit

    Credit can be obtained through our School of Record, Fairfield University

    Earn up to 6 credits during the summer, and up to 12 during the semester

    Some universities require credit to be earned, and we cannot change a universities requirement

Program Details: Full Time Internship | San Jose Multiple Career Fields

Program is closed

Dates

January 6, 2024March 30, 2024

Term

Spring

Application Deadline

October 31, 2023

Inclusive Fees

$6,990

Eligibility

Open to First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of GPA

Visa Requirements

A visa may be required for this program. Please contact your advisor or log into your portal for more information.

Global Themes

  • Business, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Global Sustainability
  • Health Sciences and STEM
Learn More About Global Themes

Internship Opportunities

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for interns on this program, with the following academic options available:

The Global Experiences Enrollment Team reviews application materials, which are a combination of relevant work experience, college or university level course work, and an assessment of maturity and readiness for working in a professional setting. After a participant has been accepted, we guarantee an internship placement. 

Our team works with applicants 1:1 to gain a better understanding of the skills you will bring to your team, talents you want to grow, and expectations you have of your experience. By working individually with each intern we can assess academic knowledge, career goals, language proficiency, and overall expectations for your time in San José, in order to place you in a dynamic work environment.

Once a match is found, all interns will interview by phone or Zoom with your manager before the placement is offered and confirmed. When you arrive in San José, Location Coordinators will be there to help you start your internship and support you with on-site check-ins and coaching to make the most of your internship placement. 

Global Experiences has 20+ years of history matching talented interns with top tier international companies. Our placement team is dedicated to finding the right employers for our interns in a variety of career fields. Below are some of our top fields for San José, but are not limited to these:

  • Accounting
  • Advertising/Marketing
  • Architecture
  • Business
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Environmental
  • Event Planning
  • Graphic Design
  • Hospitality
  • IT
  • NGO / Non-Profit
  • Public Relations

Global Experiences provides an award-winning Global Career Readiness Program which combines assessments, career coaching, and experiential learning to connect interns’ academic knowledge with their professional ambitions. The Strengths-based approach focuses on interns meeting their potential and thriving in their future careers. 

Core Components Include

  • CliftonStrengthsFinder® Assessment
  • One-on-One Career Strengths Coaching
  • Goal Setting and Career Planning
  • Interview preparation
  • On-Site Career Seminars and Networking Events
  • Leadership Training and Recruitment Opportunities
  • Summer 3-6 Credits
  • Semester, up to 9 Credits
  • Semester, up to 12 Credits

Adding credit can allow interns to access existing financial aid options and gain credit towards graduation for many majors. This is suitable for interns who attend a university that does not offer credit for internships. Some universities will require credit, and we cannot change university requirements. For more information please discuss your situation with your program consultant at time of application.

Credit will be obtained through our School of Record, Fairfield University. 

View Example Internship Placements
An outdoor market stall with fruits.

Living Abroad

AIFS Abroad provides excellent accommodations, activities, resources and staff to help interns learn about and integrate into their host community.

Apartment

  • Rooms in a shared 3-4 bedroom flat
  • Includes a shared kitchen, balcony, wifi, a washer and dryer
  • 24/7 security and on-site support services in a secure housing building
  • Communal areas – cinema, BBQ terrace, games room

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in San José.

Geography

In the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is a gem of a destination, with San José, the capital, the beating heart of this unique country. Tremendous biodiversity, stunning landscapes, clean energy production and an engaging and friendly culture are prevalent both in the street and in the workplace.  

Meet Karla – our Program Director in San Jose! Karla started her own study abroad journey at the age of 16 when she went to France. There she learned about the host families and living with them and the importance of having a well-organized program that understands culture shock difficulties, learning needs and encourages safe exploring.

Karla loves ice cream, doing yoga, spending time at the beach and playing with her two kitties Cleopatra and Nefertiti (aka Cleo & Nefer).

In addition to day trips and excursions, a cultural calendar of weekly activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of life in Costa Rica. Typical activities, tours and visits include:

  • Welcome lunch
  • Tours in and around San José
  • Tropical dance lessons
  • Tour of the Teatro Nacional
  • Visits to museums
  • Tours of local markets
  • Participation in a language exchange program with Costa Rican students
  • Visit to the indigenous reserve of Quitirrisi
  • Costa Rican cooking class
  • Farewell dinner

You may be asked to pay a small supplementary fee for some events.

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside San José and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of Costa Rica. Previous excursions have included:

Arenal Volcano.

Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Spa, and Monteverde Cloud Forest 

Go sightseeing, hike to La Fortuna Waterfall, take a boat ride across Arenal Lake to Monteverde, zip-line in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and more. Includes round-trip transportation, hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and dinner on the first night. 

  • Costa Rica
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee
The entrance sign to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Hike, swim at the beach or hotel pool, and explore the park’s exotic flora and fauna. Includes round-trip transportation, hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts and all entrance fees. 

  • Costa Rica
  • 3 Days
  • Included in Program Fee
Poás Volcano.

Poás Volcano, Doka Coffee Tour, Grecia & Sarchí Artisan Towns

Guided tours and free time to explore. Includes round-trip transportation, lunch and entrance fees. 

  • Costa Rica
  • Day Trip
  • Included in Program Fee
A footbridge in Sarapiquí.

Sarapiquí

Rafting, guided hikes (including a night hike with a local naturalist) and chocolate making demonstration. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, dinner (night one) and breakfast and lunch (day two). 

  • Costa Rica
  • 2 Days
  • $295 (Spring 2024) / $315 (Fall 2024/Spring 2025)
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Closed

Program is closed

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
    October 1, 2023
  • Application Deadline**
    October 31, 2023
  • Scholarship Deadline
    October 1, 2023
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    January 6, 2024
  • Program Begins
    January 6, 2024
  • Program Ends
    March 30, 2024
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    March 30, 2024
  • * We encourage applicants to apply by this date for a better chance of acceptance into their preferred career fields.
  • ** Deposits are due within 10 days of acceptance.
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Students can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS programs. Students who choose to book their own flights should meet up with group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed in your account 6 months prior to departure. (Program fee is guaranteed.)

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $860
  • Boston
    $820
  • Buffalo
    $820
  • Charlotte
    $1,060
  • Chicago
    $880
  • Cincinnati
    $1,020
  • Columbus
    $840
  • Dallas
    $1,060
  • Denver
    $1,160
  • Des Moines
    $1,100
  • Detroit
    $1,000
  • Houston
    $940
  • Los Angeles
    $940
  • Miami
    $760
  • Minneapolis
    $1,040
  • New York
    $840
  • Newark
    $840
  • Orlando
    $700
  • Philadelphia
    $680
  • Phoenix
    $1,040
  • Pittsburgh
    $780
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $880
  • San Francisco
    $940
  • Seattle
    $1,040
  • St. Louis
    $860
  • Washington/Dulles
    $720
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to intern in San Jose?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: intern@aifsabroad.com