Welcome to the COSTA RICA Social Work Internship Program!

The goal of the CRINI Social Work Internship Program is to place advanced undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, who are interested in completing a field internship, within a practicum of diverse practice. This includes practicum with an emphasis on service delivery, working with different types of populations, conducts research, and learning about policy analysis in the context of the socio-cultural and historical reality of Costa Rica. Our supervised internships are meant to benefit, both, the participants and the host community, or organizations where the intern is placed.  These offer the participant projects that match the goals, objectives and specific expectations of the intern or the school program requirements of the intern’s institution (e.g., university). Please note that we are more than happy to accommodate a school’s requirement for internship hours and establish their practicum guidelines.

Our social work internship program works with students who are interested in a practicum experience that, not only includes social work practice, but also the development of Spanish proficiency. Note that Spanish is required for all internship placements.  This includes an equivalent of four semesters of college-level Spanish. Individuals who do not meet the language requirement may however, take intensive Spanish courses in Costa Rica. CRINI will arrange for private classes, which will need to take place prior to starting the CRINI internship (the cost for these will be determined upon admission to the CRINI program).

CRINI works with a number of institutions who serve a diversity of populations and address different types of social issues. These include: working in the area of prevention and social work intervention related to domestic violence against women; child welfare (e.g., child abuse and neglect); teenage pregnancy; as well as delivery of services in school settings. Our internship approach includes community social work with an emphasis on populations that are economically marginalized and oppressed (e.g., children, people with disabilities, women and the elderly), and immigrants. We also use an internship educational framework related to promoting social justice and the support of human rights.  

CRINI offers students more than a field placement. We provide opportunities for the intern to interact with Costa Ricans in order to increase language proficiency and cultural knowledge. Our program also enable interns to have an experience that helps them do critical thinking about important areas related to the Costa Rican society, issues of political and economic development, environmental social movements, history, and culture.

Our Internship Sites
Our field practice sites are located throughout Costa Rica, including urban and rural area. The specific placement site is developed based on the specifics needs and requirements of the intern, the needs of the host organizations or agency, and when applicable, the requirements of the institution where the intern studies.

Program Duration and Schedule
The Internship Program runs from mid January to the end of November, and the participant can arrive at any time based on his/her needs or school schedule.  Please note that the program is closed during the month of December.  The schedule will be discussed more in depth when the candidate applies; however, an internship typically runs for a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of sixteen weeks. A longer stay is possible, and will be considered as part of the overall process of admission into the CRINI program.

Please note that we require at least an eight-weeks commitment because it usually takes several weeks for interns to acclimate to the internship and the community before s/he fulfills the requirements of an internship project.   

Program Requirements

• Participants must be currently enrolled in a social work program or working in the field of social work.
• Show proof of enrollment (an informal transcript) is required, or must submit a letter of reference from an employer. 
• Show proof of enrolled in an international medical insurance plan.  
• Medium or advanced level of Spanish proficiency.

Intern Responsibilities
The intern will be required to maintain a daily record of his/her internship activities in order to process his/her personal and professional experiences, assess the needs of the population s/he is working with, and evaluate his/her level of developed knowledge base and competencies. S/he is also required to present a weekly written report based on his/her daily notes. S/he will also need to provide a final report evaluating his/her learning experience. This repost is subjective, however it is an evaluative mechanism that helps CRINI more effectively address how to improve the program, develop future internship opportunities and internship sites, as well as consider new projects.   

Academic Credit
Those participating in the CRINI program will receive a completion of the program certificate. We do not offer credits or grades for the internship. However, can serve as liaison with the instructor of the institution where the student is enrolled in order to recommend a grade of pass or no pass. This will be based on CRINI’s evaluation of the intern meeting the goals of the internship program.  It is recommended that prior to applying to CRINI; the participant discusses credits and grade criteria with their instructor or academic advisor. 

Note that the completion of an internship in Costa Rica, with an opportunity to also increase Spanish proficiency, enhances one’s marketable skills when applying for graduate school or employment.

Application and Placement Process
The application must be completed through our on-line application process.  Once we have reviewed it, the candidate will be notified within two weeks

Lodging
CRINI provides interns with the opportunity to live with a host family.  These are carefully screened in order to make sure they meet out standards for housing and safeness. The host family offers the intern an opportunity to practice Spanish and learn the culture. Other housing options are available, and we will provide information on these.

Program Cost
The Internship Program cost for 2011-2012 is US$3,500 for the first eight weeks, and $1,200 for additional four weeks, or $300 for any additional week. Placement fees include: Airport pick-up and drop off, lodging and two meals a day at the internship site, internship placement including consultation on research and internship options, visits to internship sites, negotiation of a learning contract between CRINI staff, the student and the host organization/community, monitoring and supervision of the internship, evaluations of the intern’s on-site performance, written evaluation of program completion, and donations to the host organization.

Each student should bring between $500 and $600 per month for personal expenses and weekend trips. 

Arrival Information
The CRINI staff will be responsible for transporting the student from the airport to the home-stay family, and back to the airport upon completing the program. If the student decides to stay in Costa Rica after the program has been completed, s/he will need to make his/her own lodging, and transportation arrangements to the airport.