Community Engagement in Costa Rica

Health

Language Requirement: Spanish (High Intermediate)

This hospital treats children with a vast array of health conditions including burns, cancer, acute conditions, premature birth, and more. This placement is best for students majoring in Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nursing, Public Health, and Health Science or for students interested in learning about foreign health care systems. Participants in this role may be able to visit and read to children in the various wards, assist volunteer staff at the hospital with the duties of the ward, and boost patients' morale through storytelling, arts and crafts projects, and games. Placements that may involve patient interaction are observation-based; participants are required to complete the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) workshop for eligibility.

Limited availability. Organization requires that participants are female-identifying.

Environment, Community Development

Language Requirement: Spanish (Beginning)

Founded in 1992, the butterfly garden is located on the Rio Torres bio-corridor in central San Jose. They breed approximately 20 different butterfly species and care for the surrounding gardens to maintain the habitat. Their mission is to operate an eco-sustainable business that provides social, environmental, educational, cultural, and economic benefits for the community. Possible responsibilities include planting shrubs and weeding in the greenhouses or garden trails, feeding larvae and butterflies in the laboratory, or assisting with content creation and social media marketing.

Community Development

Language Requirement: Spanish (Beginning)

This community-based center is part of a larger public park dedicated to creating an integrated space for community members and promoting an appreciation for nature, the environment, art, music, and technology. This specific center aims to provide students with opportunities to express themselves through dance, theater, and circus performance. Service-Learning participants will have opportunities to assist in both hands-on and administrative capacities such as supporting workshops, helping with artistic presentations, and organizing logistics and beneficiary information.

Health

Language Requirement: Spanish (High Intermediate)

These public and private clinics throughout San José offer general medical services, specialty medicine, and educational health campaigns. Health clinic placements are best for students majoring in Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nursing, Public Health, and Health Science or for students interested in learning about foreign health care systems. Participants may be placed in a general hospital, public or private clinic, community health center, or other healthcare setting and may have opportunities to learn about health issues, prevention, health care, and patient care in Costa Rica by engaging with and shadowing local professionals. Additionally, participants may serve in a variety of ways including preparing emergency kits, accompanying patients, and sterilizing materials. Participants may also accompany trained professionals on home visits and/or assist staff in coordinating and conducting health campaigns on topics such as nutrition, dengue, and immunizations. Please note that participants' experiences may vary depending on interests, host organization, language level, and education level. Placements that may involve patient interaction are observation-based; participants are required to complete the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) workshop for eligibility.

Limited availability.

Community Development

Language Requirement: Spanish (Intermediate)

This community-based center is part of a larger public park dedicated to creating an integrated space for community members and promoting an appreciation for nature, the environment, art, music, and technology. This center aims to provide students with opportunities to express themselves through music and develop their musical talents. Participants will have opportunities to share teaching techniques and musical expertise with the students as well as assist the center's music professors with workshops and classes.

Community Development, Education

Language Requirement: Spanish (Advanced)

As the capital city of Costa Rica, San José is home to many museums and cultural centers. Participants placed in these organizations may have opportunities to promote awareness of the rich cultural history of Costa Rica by organizing and coordinating projects for visitors, leading guided museum tours, assisting with marketing and PR projects, coordinating special events, and translating marketing materials. These placements are ideal for individuals interested in archaeology, anthropology, museology, natural history, education, and administration.

Education

Language Requirement: Spanish (Beginning)

This state-funded PK-12 bilingual school's mission is to provide quality, integrated education with a special focus on civic commitment, personal growth, and environmental conservation. Participants in this organization may have opportunities to serve as a teacher’s assistant, help students with reading, writing, listening, and speaking lessons in English, and assist in PE classes and other activities.

Due to vacations, this organization is not available from mid-December through the first week of February and during July.

Child and Family Development

Language Requirement: Spanish (Beginning)

This is a charitable non-profit organization committed to promoting the wellbeing of the Costa Rican youth and their families. The organization focuses on helping families from rural, low income areas, whose children are in need of medical treatment at the local children’s hospital. The organization’s mission is to provide the children with a better chance of recovery during their treatment at the hospital and a safe place to play and have a "home away from home". Participants work alongside other volunteers to keep the center clean and welcoming and interact with the children and their families who are staying at the center, and participants also have opportunities to propose their own projects.

Education

Language Requirement: Spanish (Intermediate)

This center empowers people with disabilities, particularly people with visual and hearing impairment, to live independently by providing counseling and physical, speech, and occupational therapy in addition to music, art, and physical education. Students at the center also receive dietary guidance and medical care. Participants in this organization may have chances to become actively involved in the community by aiding educational or creative instruction, assisting in the dining area, and coordinating recreational activities.

Due to vacations, this organization is not available from mid-December through the first week of February and during July.

Health

Language Requirement: Spanish (Intermediate)

For 130 years, this senior citizens’ home has been providing comprehensive care for the elderly. They strive to provide a family atmosphere of acceptance and respect, while fully addressing the needs of over 200 seniors. Participants in this organization may have opportunities to plan and lead recreational activities, organize games, socialize with and read to the residents, teach dance or aerobics classes, and assist with everyday activities. Placements that may involve patient interaction are observation-based; participants are required to complete the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) workshop for eligibility.