Veterinary Science/Zoology Internship in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose
• North Western Region: 
Heredia

Term: Throughout the year 
Dates: Throughout the year, every 1st or 3rd Monday of each month.

Description:
We have many diverse internship placements to choose from throughout Costa Rica.

While on the program you will live with a Costa Rican host family. Sharing your daily life with them will provide you with experience and insight into the culture that you could never have had as a tourist. Soon you will become immersed in "Tico" culture and live "pura vida."

Highlights:
I Accommodation
During their internships, participants will live with a Costa Rican family either by themselves or with a group of other volunteers. Participants will be provided with 2-3 meals a day and laundry service. Living with a host family will give participants an invaluable insight into the "real" Costa Rica.

* A handful of internships offer on-site living instead of home stay accommodations.

II Language Classes
To those who need them, optional language classes are available. These classes are held prior to starting the internship and are usually one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor. They cost an additional USD 400 / week and include home-stay accommodations and meals. Classes are a great way to be introduced to a new country and improve participants' Spanish skills.

Internship placement:
Veterinary Science/Zoology
* Veterinary Care - Wild Animals

Location: Guanacaste

Description of Project and Duties:
Interns will be working in an environmental refuge that rescues and rehabilitates wild animals. Many of these animals have been confiscated by the government due to illegal trafficking or were brought to the center by people who found them lost and ill in the wild. Each animal receives specialized attention for their recovery and subsequent release into their natural habitat. Those animals who cannot survive in the wild (due to injury or lack of survival skills) live in peace and comfort at the sanctuary.

Daily activities for interns may consist of the following: preparing food for and feeding the animals, cleaning and repairing enclosures, assisting veterinary staff, building and cleaning trails throughout the sanctuary and giving guidance and information to visitors.

AIDE participants can choose to live in shared volunteer housing in the sanctuary or with a local host family.

* Veterinary Care Domestic Animals

Location: Heredia

Description of Project and Duties:
Interns will be working in a no-kill domestic animal shelter located in the mountains of Costa Rica. The shelter is run by an American woman who has been living in Costa Rica for the past 20 years, rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs and cats. The shelter is also is home to several monkeys and an ocelot. Intern duties may consist of administering medications to sick animals, checking and treating ear infections, assisting with spaying and neutering, using a microscope to identify various types of mange and worms, helping with minor surgeries and observing orthopedic surgeries. Interns will also partake in the daily activities of feeding, walking, socializing and bathing the animals.

Requirements: Interns should either be veterinary or pre-vet students since the placement will be very hands-on and some previous knowledge is required.

* Please note that specific details, such as exact work hours and the type of work, can only be determined by expertise, skills, attitude, and Spanish fluency. Also, some programs do have special requirements that are needed to be accepted.

Also Included:
* Pre-departure orientation
* Guaranteed internship placement
* Visa assistance (if needed)
* Travel/Medical insurance
* Airport pick-up
* Transfer to your accommodations
* Arrival orientation
* One way transportation to the city of your internship placement
* Accommodations and meals
* Full-time local representative in Costa Rica
* 24/7 personal support
* Certificate of completion (upon request)

Qualifications:
* Participants must be at least 18 years of age
* Participants must be eligible to receive a tourist visa to Costa Rica
* Other requirements may apply according to the internship position offered

Language Classes Fees
1 week: USD 400
2 weeks: USD 800
3 weeks: USD 1,200

AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of the services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser for more information.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

AIDE 's Mission Statement: Through education and the exchange of ideas and people across borders, AIDE will build a worldwide community of global citizens who will be part of an ongoing intercultural conversation. AIDE will be a catalyst for change in the world by building bridges between individuals from diverse cultures.

Year Founded: 1992