Micro-Business internships involve placements with small, local, family-owned businesses and/or social enterprises. In Costa Rica, these businesses often focus on producing and selling artisan products and handicrafts. Interns typically take on roles related to client services, sales, marketing, training, communications, distribution, or translation.
When selecting placements, we prioritize your goals and interests to ensure a valuable learning experience. However, placements are designed to benefit both you and the business, meaning assigned tasks may vary based on the business’s current needs.
While in-country coordinators are available to support you, daily responsibilities require a degree of independence and leadership.
Spanish Language Requirement
Most businesses you’ll work with operate in Spanish. To ensure effective communication, an intermediate level of Spanish is required. Your Spanish proficiency will be evaluated through a phone interview before you begin the program.
Days and Hours
You can expect to work 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday, with daily 1-hour Spanish classes during the week. Additional planning or tasks may be required outside of work hours. Weekends are free for relaxation, exploration, or travel.
Personal Appearance
Costa Rican culture places great importance on hygiene and professional appearance. Business casual attire is required, with clothing that is modest and neat. Ensure your shoulders and knees are covered, and avoid revealing or flashy clothing. Even in warm weather, beachwear is not appropriate for city settings.
Daily Transportation
Placements are located in the San José area. The most affordable commuting options are walking or public buses, with travel times ranging from 15 to 60 minutes each way. Depending on your housing and placement locations, you may need to transfer between buses. Taxis are also available but more expensive.
On your first day, a representative will accompany you on local transportation to show you how to commute to and from your placement. Please budget approximately $5 per day for transportation costs, with local bus rides typically costing less than ₡350 (around $0.60).
Deliverables
Interns are required to submit weekly journals and a final project:
- Practicums (less than 8 weeks): A 10-20 page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
- Internships (8 weeks or longer): Both a 10-20 page written paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
Final projects should include:
- An overview of your placement and role
- A review of the organization
- A sector analysis for either the host or home country
- An analysis of challenges encountered
- Outcomes and results
Spanish Classes for Interns
As part of the program, you will receive 1 hour of Spanish lessons each weekday. Classes are tailored to your skill level and focus on vocabulary relevant to your internship.
The program is led by experienced, certified, native Spanish instructors using the Communicative Method, which emphasizes immersive, spoken interaction. Teachers conduct classes entirely in Spanish to foster a full-language learning experience.
Maximize Your Experience
The success of your internship depends on your attitude and efforts. Be prepared to encounter language barriers and cultural differences in work structure, hours, and management styles. A proactive approach will help you adapt and get the most out of your experience.
Location
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and located in the middle of the country. It’s in a great spot to enjoy the city, as well as trips to the beach on the weekends. Around a 2 to 4 hour drive from the city, you will find rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. San Jose also has plenty of shopping, cinemas, restaurants and nightlife.
Project Tasks
- Managing online marketing, updating websites, handling social media, and exploring advertisement options
- Creating and updating promotional materials
- Assisting with community outreach and promotional activities
- Enhancing internal and external communications, such as training materials and FAQs
- Conducting research on competitors, potential partners, and promotional opportunities
- Assisting with basic accounting, expense reports, and project budgets
- Supporting daily operations, office administration, client service, and sales
