Internships in Human Rights

Human Rights placements are typically with community organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. Interns work with change agents and other social workers who are focused on empowerment and social justice. You help with community outreach, education, research, and fundraising. Immerse yourself into a community and a project and see first-hand the impacts of culture, social values, and the roles of politics, religion, gender, and ethnicity.

Possible tasks for Human Rights Interns include:​

• Support marketing via website updates, social media, and creation of promotional materials
• Interview potential recipients and/or beneficiaries
• Collaborate on projects or events
• Translate or edit documents
• Create presentations for potential projects
• Attend organizational meetings
• Support staff in daily office tasks

When finding a suitable internship placement, Maximo Nivel always take your goals and interests into account. You gain valuable experience in your desired field, but please also keep in mind that placements are meant to be mutually beneficial. The tasks available and assigned to you may vary depending on the current projects and goals of the organization in which you are placed. 

Interns are required to submit weekly journals and a final deliverable.

Internships lasting less than 8 weeks require either a 10-20 page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation. Internships that last 8 weeks or longer require both a 10-20 page written paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation. Final deliverables are expected to cover the following:

• Overview of the organization worked with and the intern's role
• Organization review
• Sector analysis in host or home country
• Analysis of obstacles incurred
• Outcomes/results
• Recommendations for the future

Interns are always supported by Maximo Nivel’s in-country coordinators, but they are not with them at their placement every day. Please be prepared for some independence and leadership.

The majority of internship placements are located in and around San José. Travel time varies widely from place to place and interns should expect to spend 20-90 minutes traveling each way. The city bus system is generally the most effective and cheapest way to get to and from your project, though taxis are widely available and are still an option. For the first visit to the placement, interns are taken by a Maximo Nivel representative using the local transport and given additional information about how to get to and from your work place. Local bus rides are very affordable and a one way trip will rarely cost more than ₡350 (about $0.75). Taxis will be much more expensive and the cost will vary.

Work hours at the internship placement vary according to the needs of the project, but interns should expect to work 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday, and they may have additional planning to do outside of work. 

Spanish classes are also included in the program (1 hour private class every day) and are scheduled during off hours, Monday to Friday.

Within San José, participants can take a city tour, see shows at the National Theatre, visit the central market, and go zip-lining. Our local staff always posts a monthly events calendar to let them know of the activities going on around Maximo. Outside of San José, they can hike up volcanos, go whitewater rafting, and take a trip to the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. There are a lot of options and our staff is well-acquainted with the area to help advise on the must-see places. Tours and trips can also be easily booked through our on-site travel partner.