Volunteer Program in Costa Rica

Freiwilligenarbeit in Costa Rica durch Intercultura Spanisch Sprachschule

Intercultura Language School offers a volunteer program for all students who have completed a minimum of two weeks of Spanish language study with us. If you are interested in volunteering in Costa Rica, exploring Latin American culture and local communities, and spending some of your time abroad dedicated to helping others, Intercultura can help you achieve these goals. You can choose to stay in a city program in the Central Valley, or near our beach campus on the Pacific Coast. Our programs focus on development, education, health, social work and the environment, with volunteer opportunities for anyone 18 or over. 

Intercultura offers a unique volunteer program where you can work helping others and at the same time rely on the infrastructure of our Language Centers, with our full-time, multilingual support staff. Our volunteer program is a non-profit branch of our Centers, and a large part of student payments are used to help fund scholarships and materials for local schools, animal rescue projects, community development initiatives, and programs for at-risk children and youth.
 
We invite you to participate in our programs and contribute to cultural understanding through global exchange, awareness, and social & environmental development in Latin America. Your experience will deepen your understanding of both your own and Costa Rican culture, and it will undoubtedly change the way you see the world and your place in it.

Current positions include the following:

  • Teach ESL: Ministry of Education teacher or assistant teacher of English (ESL / EFL) in local primary and high schools.
  • Orphanages: work with children at local orphanages, leading games, activities, sports & English classes.
  • After School Program: collaborate with rural non-profit for local children -- teaching assistant, library services, arts, web design & other positions are available.
  • Medical Clinics/Hospitals: shadow and participate in basic procedures at local clinics and hospitals (experience and relevant studies required).
  • Drug Rehabilitation: work with local youth in addiction recovery programs (sports, English, games, administrative support).
  • Special Education: assistant teach in special ed programs at local schools.
  • Retirement Centers: help care for and interact with the elderly.
  • National Parks: assist with trail maintenance, construction, beach patrol and administrative support in national parks and reserves.
  • Eco-Farms: support in production processes at eco-farms in rural areas.
  • Women's Cooperatives: administrative and production/process support in rural and urban areas.
  • Animal Shelter: clean, care for and exercise animals at a local shelter -- dogs & cats, or tropical species shelters both available.
  • Turtle Protection: beach patrol, nursery care, and support services for turtle protection entities.
  • Butterfly and Orchid Gardens: tours, administration and maintenance in local butterfly and orchid gardens.
In addition to our regular volunteer programs, Intercultura co-sponsors the non-profit CREAR Foundation www.asociacioncrear.org. Started in 2005 at Intercultura's Playa Sámara campus, CREAR's After School Program (ASP) is a creative supplementary learning project designed to offer local children new educational and artistic opportunities, giving them the chance to explore and develop their talents in a variety of creative fields. Subjects include: dance, music, health, theatre, horticulture, woodwork, computer studies, English and folklore. Local students receive full scholarships for all courses. The majority of the program is funded by local businesses and individuals, and by the efforts of our volunteer teaching staff and volunteer assistants. Students are welcome to contribute their time and skills for as little as one day or as long as they choose!
 

Many volunteer positions require:

  • A minimum time commitment. The social/educational placements normally require a minimum of a month (4 weeks), the environmental placements tend to be more flexible about their minimums. We recommend going for at least two weeks.
  • Students to cover their own room and board. When participating in a placement in Heredia or San Jose, the students have the option of staying with their school homestay that they can pay for through the school. The majority of environmental placements are in remote areas and require the students to live onsite and pay the fees there.
  • Relevant work experience and/or degree (please bring your CV and a letter of reference)
  • Some knowledge of Spanish!
It is important that students set realistic expectations for volunteer programs. There are several things which will help you have a more meaningful and rewarding experience, and increased interaction within your placement. These include:
  • The concrete and communicable skills you bring to the position that make you a valuable resource to the organization. For example: teaching certification or license, construction experience, advanced professional degrees, experience teaching technology, sports, arts & crafts, music, photography or other short-term skills, library management, community development experience etc.
  • Your Spanish level (intermediate or higher greatly facilitates training and interaction). We require a high beginner level to start (which you would acquire after 4 weeks of classes if you start in our first level).
  • The time commitment you can make (the longer you can stay the better, as this helps justify the significant investment in time and human resources that is required to train volunteers).
  • Your willingness to learn and work in any and all areas that need help and the understanding that your ability to contribute is defined in large part by the above factors.
  • Understanding that you are interacting in a different culture and that your expectations are based on what you are used to seeing and experiencing in your own culture. Open-mindedness is key to developing a good relationship with the people in the placement.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FEES:

Intercultura's Volunteer Program has a placement fee of $99, which includes:
  • scholarship, monetary and/or materials donation by Intercultura to host organization
  • pre-departure counseling for placement selection
  • email communication with volunteer coordinator before arrival
  • choice of placements based on availability and your qualifications
  • orientation meeting and cultural adaptation workshop
  • weekly discussion session with volunteer coordinator and other volunteers
  • on-site access to volunteer coordinator
  • participation in all on-site Intercultura cultural activities

NOTE: All beginning Spanish students taking at least 4 weeks of Spanish classes at Intercultura are eligible to volunteer. Lodging and Spanish classes are not included in the Volunteer placement fee.  It is typical in Costa Rican culture, even in paid positions to not receive much or any structure/guidance, so volunteers must be prepared to take the initiative and make their own way.

 
Intercultura supports several local environmental, social and development projects, offering logistical assistance, materials, scholarships and/or monetary donations to non-profit organizations.  Please click here to read more about our Community Commitment.
 

COMMENTS FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS:
 

Christina Homann, Germany
Public School Volunteer, 2011
"Hola Cesar,
...El cambio es muy difícil para mi, yo extrano el clima, la escuela y todo la
gente tica :) quiero regresar ahora pero no es possible ...Aqui la vida es muy
rapida y no es possible vivir como en Costa Rica con el lema "Pura Vida" o
"tranquilo". Yo tengo que planear mucho para mi futuro, pero ahora para mí
es más fácil relajarme ( yo solo pienso a Costa Rica). Yo encontré el
paraiso del mundo...
Espero que es possible estudiar para un semestre en America Latina y
visitare ustedes...
Mi proyecto en la escuela influyó mi desición sobre estudiar para ser
profesora. Estaba un tiempo con experiencias muy buenas. Espero que mis
conocimientos espanoles de Intercultura me ayudan en mis estudios.
Muchos saludos a todos:)  Saludos y que estés bien.
Pura Vida!!!
Christina

Geert Hemelings, Belgium, 2010
TURTLE PROTECTION
"It's a beautiful place, the work is hard but good...The highlights were developing my connection to nature and the people even further. Always having alot of fun while working, but doing a great job. To be able to see prehistoric sea creatures every day and making sure of their further existence. To see the sea, the stars, the sunrise and the sunset every day. To bring a smile to the faces of the people. " hemelings@hotmail.com

Tina Wyns, 2010
PUBLIC SCHOOL
"...although it was hard, I enjoyed the freedom after a few days. It also gave me the opportunity to do a lot myself and to really connect with the children. I only didn't like the fact that the working hours were limited!...Personally I learned alot from this program; how to work with children, how to improvise, how the Costa Rican school system works, etc." tina_wyns@hotmail.com

Claudine Wildschutz, La Belgique, 2010
ORGANIC AND MEDICINAL FARMS VOLUNTEER
"Me revoilà, tout se passe très bien, j’ai été accueillie comme prévu à ma descente de l’autobus. La famille est super sympa, une petite fille de 8 ans et une de 18 ans. Je changerai de ferme chaque semaine car en plus des travaux de nourrissage des animaux, chacune a une spécificité bien à elle. J’ai commencé par les plantes médicinales puis le café, les tilapias, le cacao et le lait. Ici je me sens utile."

Cendrine Hysek, Schweiz, 2010
Voluntaria con CREAR After School Program
"Yo siempre veo la vida y el mundo en colores, tambien Intercultura y sus profesores y personal. Sin todos los colores Intercultura no sería lo que es. Gracias por sus alegrías, pasiones, fiestas y emociones. Vine como una extranjera y voy a salir con muchos nuevos amigos y experiencias. Gracias por agregar más colores en mi vida."

David Lingg, Switzerland, 2009
PUBLIC SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
david.lingg@gmail.com
"The placement totally fulfilled my expectations...I think they really appreciated my help. I would recommend this place to people who accept that there really is work to do: you need a bit of patience while working with the kids, but it is worth it. The teachers and the kids are very helpful!"

Franziska Meierhofer, Schweiz, März 2009
ADMINISTRATIVE & MARKETING VOLUNTEER
franziska.meierhofer@hotmail.com
"In Samara steht man gerne auf am Morgen. Die Sonne scheint, das Meer ist schon lange wach und die Schule sieht so fröhlich aus, in ihrem freundlichen Gelb und dem tropischen Gartenareal, nur durch eine Palmenallee vom 5km langen Strand getrennt. Die Vögel zwitschern ihre Morgenlieder, alles strahlt in starkem Blau und saftigem Grün. Alle Leute grüssen sich. Hier meint man es, wenn man mit einem zufriedenen “Perfecto” auf die Frage nach dem Wohlbefinden antwortet.

Cory Suard, MS1, USA, 2009
SALUD MEDICAL VOLUNTEER
Hi Maxi,
Thanks so much for everything! Yo trabajé en La Clínica por dos semanas..... ¡y todo fue Pura Vida! Los Doctores, Enfermeras, y empleados de la clinica son muy amables y "ayudables", y buenos profesores también. En La Clínica se tiene la oportunidad para hacer entrevistas con pacientes y aprender procedimientos (poner suero, suturar, observer cirugias, etc.). La clinica es privada, y por eso es muy tranquilo a veces, pero generalmente la clinica es bastante ocupada. Los que tienen mucho iniciativo pueden aprender mucho durante tiempos tranquilos y ocupados. Cuando yo trabajaba en la clínica era el único que hablaba ingles; entonces, se debe estar preparado para communicar solamente en español. Estoy muy agradecido por mi trabajo en La Clínica. Yo aprendí muchas cosas que son aplicables para practicar medicina en los Estados Unidos, y espero que todos los estudiantes de medicina puedan tener la misma experiencia!

Alice Gleises, France, 2007
STUDENT SERVICES VOLUNTEER
liloo_lop@hotmail.com
Un grand merci à toute l’équipe de Intercultura pour cet accueil si chaleureux !!
J’ai passé 4 mois extraordinaires au sein de votre école, que ce soit à Heredia ou à Samara. Pendant cette période, j’ai pu découvrir en profondeur cette école et son personnel et je dois dire que tout a été parfait. L’organisation est surprenante, les professeurs sont compétents et tous très agréables. J’ai adoré le mélange de cultures et la bonne ambiance dans toutes les langues qui règnent au sein de l’établissement. J’ai également participé aux activités et aux excursions, ce qui m'a permis d’apprendre beaucoup sur la culture latine mais aussi de rencontrer de nouvelles personnes qui sont aujourd’hui des amis dispersés au 4 coins du monde. Encore une fois pour cette incroyable expérience qui a marqué ma vie, je vous remercie ! Un merci particulier à Laura.
Los extraño mucho !
Pura vida,
Alice