Service-Learning in San José, Costa Rica

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.

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.

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.

Language Requirement: Spanish (Intermediate)

Work with an organization that provides after-school and daycare services to children with limited economic resources. Be a positive role model and help students with homework and educational activities. Engage the children by facilitating recreational activities, art, and music projects.

Language Requirement: Spanish (Beginning)

This public school provides comprehensive education for K-12 students. Participants in this role may serve as a teacher’s aide by grading papers, assisting students with homework, facilitating recreational activities, and supervising the classroom. There also may be opportunities to tutor students one-on-one or teach English.

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

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.

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.

Language Requirement: Spanish (High Intermediate)

This organization 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 focuses specifically on youth education and recreation programs that help children and young adults learn new skills in a safe and creative learning environment. Participants may have the opportunity to facilitate English and technology classes, assist with administrative tasks, and help prepare educational materials and activities.

Language Requirement: Spanish (Intermediate)

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the prevention of cancer, providing treatment, and supporting patients and their families. Participants may be able to assist in receiving patients and writing and maintaining patient records. Observe supportive therapies developed by the center’s psychologists or assist with educational workshops and presentations to raise cancer awareness. Placements that may involve patient interaction are observation-based; participants are required to complete the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) workshop for eligibility.

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.

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.

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.

Language Requirement: Spanish (Advanced)

This NGO dedicates itself to providing information about HIV and its prevention. They offer workshops and talks to the public, give emotional support to patients living with HIV, and seek to reduce the risk of HIV in vulnerable populations. Participants in this role may help give workshops and educational talks to the public, conduct research, provide emotional support for patients living with HIV, AIDS, and/or STIs, and help with daily tasks around the center. There may also be opportunities to assist the organization in strengthening its prevention efforts and contributing to a better quality of life for patients. Placements that may involve patient interaction are observation-based; participants are required to complete the Global Ambassadors for Patient Safety (GAPS) workshop for eligibility.

Service-Learning participants will work closely with the Environmental Department of the park. Environmental projects may include manual labor (gardening, planting, weeding, reforestation initiatives, and nursery restoration and creation of artificial lakes), environmental education workshops, playground creation, and work with schools in the local community. Participants also have the opportunity to propose their own projects that they feel would be would gain student or community interest. For certain projects, participants might be required to have an advanced level of Spanish.

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.