Short-Term Community Development Internship in Costa Rica
Short-Term Community Development Internship in Costa Rica
Travel to the coastal town of Cimarrones, Costa Rica to complete a community development internship.
Program Code: CRCI0908NOur Impact
Location
Volunteer in Cimarrones
Program Information
Remote-Working Friendly
Reliable WIFI
Part-Time Options
Research Internship
Get out of the library or the lab. Visit a remote research base to get the data needed to complete your thesis or research paper.
Career Internship
Want to land a job working for a purpose-driven organisation or kickstart your career in an impact-focused field?
Core Internship
Travel with ambition and purpose. Make a positive environmental or social impact and gain experience in an impact-focused role or sector.
Research Internship
Get out of the library or the lab. Visit a remote research base to get the data needed to complete your thesis or research paper.
This program is designed for undergrad, graduate students or post doctoral researchers looking to complete research in a number of fields related to conservation and international sustainable development. You’ll conduct your own data collection and analysis with support and guidance from a research supervisor.
- Designed for students and researchers
- Complete your research paper or thesis
- Conduct data collection and analysis
- Receive support from a research supervisor
Career Internship
Want to land a job working for a purpose-driven organisation or kickstart your career in an impact-focused field?
Join our career internship program. It’s designed for those looking to get their first job or advance their careers in international sustainable development. You’ll complete a purposeful project for a real organisation working in conservation or international development, located in a number of locations around the world. A supervisor specialising in international professional work will guide you throughout the experience.
- Designed for new graduates and working professionals
- Complete a real project for an organisation abroad
- Get experience within a sustainable development organisation
- Receive direction from a career supervisor
Core Internship
Travel with ambition and purpose. Make a positive environmental or social impact and gain hands-on, impact-focused experience in the field.
Gain practical experience in the field while receiving support from a supervisor throughout. As a core intern, you’ll take part in project work with local partners while also taking on extra responsibilities on base, giving you opportunities for leadership experience. This means you could lead workshops and surveys or organise fundraising events and beach cleanups, for example.
- Designed for students, new graduates and working professionals
- Get field experience in real-world conservation and community development work
- Gain insight into careers within the sustainable development sector
- Receive direction from an internship supervisor
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Overview
Program details, highlights and videos.
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Dates & Prices
Choose your start dates and durations.
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Life On Base
What's a GVI base really like?
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Covid-19 Response
Read up on the response measures we have in place to keep you safe.
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What's It like?
Search for and chat to alumni who've been there and done it.
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Live Updates
Follow us live on Facebook!
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Reviews
See what our alumni have to say.
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Arrivals
Information on your airport arrival and pick up.
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Flights
Search for flights via our partner, Student Universe.
- Your Supervisor
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Your Impact
Our short, mid and long term objectives.
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Our Ethics
Read about GVI's Ten Ethical Commitments.
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Program Ethics
Our ethical practices and policies.
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Training
All the training you'll complete on this program.
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Qualifications
The various qualifications and certificates you'll receive.
- Career Services
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Free time
Where you can explore in your free time and at weekends.
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Cultural Immersion
Immerse yourself in local and cultural practices.
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Parent Info
Information for parents and guardians.
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Support & Safety
GVI's detailed health, safety and support protocols.
- Work Placements
Overview
Cimarrones, located just under three hours from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose, is a traditional laid-back Costa Rican town. The town is an attractive location for international tourists and many locals are employed in the tourism industry in the surrounding volcano national parks of Turrialba and Irazú. However, they need to be able to fulfill the English language skills required by local employers.Interns have the chance to assist with English activities, including childhood development projects, individual English classes for students who require additional academic assistance. You will also be contributing to UN SDG, #5, Gender Equality, by assisting us with setting up our women’s empowerment program in the area. The program focuses on supporting English language education for women as well as assisting with entrepreneurial facilitation.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Kickstart your career in international development.
- Contribute to UN SDG #5, Gender Equality.
- Improve your English teaching skills and develop soft skills like teamwork and leadership.
- Immerse yourself in the pura vida lifestyle of Costa Rica.
- Explore Irazú Volcano National Park by hiking to view the crater.
- Learn Spanish.
Program Details
Further Program Details
Throughout your internship, you will be developing your intercultural competency, not only by learning Spanish and practising your Spanish communication skills with the local community in Cimarrones, but you will also be sharing your work and living space with GVI staff, volunteers, and interns from around the world.
Weekdays will be busy, but in the evening and on the weekends you will have a chance to further immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture, by learning how to cook a traditional Costa Rican dish of Gallo Pinto or how to dance the salsa, or explore the local landscape, by hiking, mountain biking ziplining through Irazú Volcano National Park.
*Costa Rica is a primarily Catholic country which means that events like Easter and Christmas are celebrated with gusto. As is to be expected, school attendance tends to decrease during these times. However, we often run educational summer programs or provide one-to-one tutor during the holidays. Community infrastructure development like renovating community centers and setting up communal gardens also continues during this time. In addition, participants have the opportunity to learn more about Costa Rican customs by participating in the festivities.
*A basic level of Spanish is required to effectively communicate with children, women, and other local community members. Speak to your Enrolment Manager about adding group or one-on-one Spanish lessons to your program cost to support you in your Spanish language learning while on the project. Unless they are already fluent, Interns will be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of Spanish from the start of their internship. We also strongly recommend that you start learning early in order to get the most out of your interning experience.
Flexibility
Payment Plans
Cancellation Waiver
Life On Base
Base Tour
Highlights
You’ll share a house that has basic bedroom and bathroom facilities with other participants and GVI staff. If you’re stationed at our main base, you’ll be in a Caribbean-style wooden house, which is situated on a 3-acre property with a river you can cool off in after a rewarding day of work. There is a shared kitchen and living area where you can plan lessons and enjoy your free time, as well as a large shaded area underneath the house with swings and tables. We have a base cat named Leo and a few dogs in the area stop by from time to time. The base and surrounds are a bird watcher’s paradise and you may even be lucky enough to receive a visit from the local howler monkeys or spot an elusive sloth.
We are located within walking distance of most of our project sites in Cimarrones, with the exception of the local high school which we arrange transport to and from. The villages of Cimarrones and neighbouring Rio Hondo are small and safe to walk around. Travelling around the local area in your free time is relatively easy. To get to Siquirres (which takes about 15 minutes) the bus costs around 600 colones (1 USD) and taxis cost about 6,000 colones (10 USD). There you’ll find bus terminals to all the main national attractions. For safety reasons, when COVID-19 restrictions are in place, we require GVI participants to make use of taxi services instead of public transport.
You’ll have daily access to long-distance communications whilst on the project, but bear in mind that the connection may not be as reliable as back home. You can bring a network unlocked phone along or purchase a relatively cheap mobile phone in Costa Rica. You can then purchase a local SIM card and prepaid minutes in town, or stay in touch through Skype and calling cards. These cards are also readily available from shops in Siquirres. There is Wi-Fi available for project and personal use at the base, but it can be unstable at times due to our remote location.
You’ll take turns preparing breakfast for the group, which typically consists of porridge, cereal, or toast, accompanied by fresh tropical fruit, and tea or coffee. Lunch and dinners are prepared by a local staff member and served on base. This is a great opportunity to experience Costa Rican cuisine, like Gallo Pinto a popular rice and bean mix), or fried plantains. Other ingredients may include pasta, potatoes, yucca, salad, and seasonal vegetables.
Located in a mountainous region of central Costa Rica, and in close proximity to the equator, Cimarrones enjoys a fairly consistent climate. Temperatures range between 22°C – 30°C (72°F – 86°F) all year round. Being a rainforest, the weather is highly variable and it can rain at any time of year.
COVID-19 Safety
Enhanced cleaning and social-distancing measures in place. Learn more.
Covid-19 Response
Health and Hygiene
For over 20 years, GVI has prioritised the health and safety of our staff, participants, partners and local community members. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, GVI has created the GVI health and hygiene team to put in place new standards of cleanliness, norms and behaviours that meet or exceed international recommendations to ensure the ongoing safety of GVI’s participants, staff and communities around the world. Internationally recommended practices, such as advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the governments Australia, UK and US, continue to be monitored and the standards are likely to change if and when international advice changes.
The work GVI is contributing to across the globe remains important and the following measures allow our participants to continue to join GVI’s programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. The following changes to our existing protocols have been made by the GVI health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities.
Essential information you need to travel safely during the COVID-19
pandemic – including destination ratings, flight bookings, and tests.
What's It like?
If you’d like to find out what the experience of joining a GVI project is really like, simply contact us and we’ll put you in touch with one of our many Alumni.
We’ll try to match you to an Alum based on your location, nationality, age, stage of academic career, gender, and program interests. This allows you to gain insights into the experience that is most relevant to you.
Depending on your location you might be able to speak to an Alum over the phone or online, or meet up with them face-to-face at a coffee shop nearby. We also run a series of small events around the world where you can speak to GVI Alumni, Ambassadors and staff members.
Live Updates
Arrivals
When it comes to support, we ensure that each participant is provided with unparalleled, 360 degree support, from your initial contact with the GVI Family, all the way through your program, and even after, as you become part of the GVI Alumni Team.
As part of this promise, we will ensure, whenever possible, that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at the airport. In most locations, we also set up a Whatsapp group to help with managing airport arrivals. We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our staff will be there to welcome you, easily identifiable in a GVI t-shirt or holding a GVI sign and wearing a friendly smile. This means there will be someone there to greet you as you land, and from there you will be transported to your GVI base to start your adventure and meet the rest of your team.
COVID-19 Safety
Please note that the above images were taken pre COVID-19. All airport pick-ups and program operations now run with enhanced cleaning and social-distancing measures in place. Learn more.
Flights
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As GVI is providing this portal as a service we are not responsible for the accuracy of this site.
We are also not responsible for any loss, damage (including loss of profits or consequential damages), injury, illness, harm or death in relation to your flight and travel arrangements.
Essential information you need to travel safely during the COVID-19
pandemic – including destination ratings, flight bookings, and tests.
Your Supervisor
We’re of the belief that internships are learning experiences and that a great supervisor is absolutely essential to the success of any internship program. Our supervisors will assist you in familiarising yourself with your environment and provide the guidance you need to meet your goals and solve problems. They’re remote, so that location and travel restrictions don’t affect us in choosing the supervisor that best suits your needs.
Research Supervisor
If you choose our research internship package, you’ll be assigned an research supervisor. Your research supervisor will provide guidance for you in achieving your data collection and analysis goals. They’ll also help you to navigate the complex challenges of collecting and analysing data within the context of international field research.
Internship Supervisor
When you choose our core internship package, you’ll be assigned an internship supervisor. They’ll help you to navigate day-to-day challenges involved in completing learning and tasks related to your internship program. They’ll provide guidance throughout your internship so that you can get your work done successfully and maximise the benefits of your experience.
Career Supervisor
If you choose our career internship package, you’ll be assigned a career supervisor. Your career supervisor will help you to navigate the professional relationship with the international organisation for which you’ll be completing a project. They’ll also help you to master skills necessary for successfully making the transition from full-time student to full-time employee.
Your Impact
All of our programs have short, mid and long-term objectives that fit with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs. This enables us to report on our collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help our local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.
Prior to your arrival on base, you will be educated about the history of the UN SDGs. Then, once on base you’ll learn about the specific goals of your location, the long-, mid- and short-term objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these goals on a global level.
Our aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to act as active global citizens after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.
Costa Rica was the first country in the world to make primary education both free and obligatory in 1869, funding the education program through the state’s share of the great coffee wealth. In those days only one in ten Costa Ricans could read and write. By 1920, 50% of the population was literate. In 1948, the country abolished its national army and shifted the portion of its national budget allocated to armed forces to the education system. By the 1970s 89% were able to read and write. Costa Rica now boasts a literacy rate of 93% for those ten years or older. In addition, in 1994, a policy to place a computer in each of the nation’s 4,000 schools, plus obligatory English classes, was implemented.
Despite this, education is not readily available to everyone. Elementary and high schools can be found in every community, but many cannot afford the required uniforms, and rural schools often lack books for students. Children often spend as little as three hours in school as the class schedule is divided into two sessions in order to accommodate the number of students.
Cimarrones, home to our volunteer community project, is a central valley town in the mountainous central region of Costa Rica which is home to multiple volcanos, botanical gardens and some of the oldest coffee farms in the country.
GVI has been working in local communities in Costa Rica since 2011 and aims to support those communities in developing themselves and particularly in developing the younger members of the community. GVI works in Cimarrones to support community and economic development, as well as education focused initiatives. Our current partners include the Liceo Rural Nairi Awari High School, Escuela Las Brisas de Pacuarito and a local women’s entrepreneur group.
As such, the main UN Sustainable Development Goals of this project include, #4, Quality Education, and #5, Gender Equality.
Project Objectives
GVI Cimarrones Long-term Objectives:
1. Improve access to education and wellness to Cimarrones and the surrounding areas of Las Brisas and Pacuare.
2. Increase environmental awareness in the local community.
3. Improve English literacy levels in the Cimarrones community and surrounding areas.
4. Assist in building sustainable, women-led businesses in the immediate community and surrounding areas.
Our Ethics
Below is a list of core ethics and best practices we believe are essential to the operation of high quality, ethical volunteer and sustainable development programs. We believe that all responsible volunteer and sustainable development operations should focus upon these principles. If you are considering volunteering, these are some of the key considerations you should question, to ensure that your time and money contributes towards positive change.
We want to constantly develop our own understanding of ethical best practice. In so doing, we aim to provide an exemplary industry standard for other education institutions, international development organisations, and social enterprises. Our Badge of Ethics stands for the drive to always do good, better. Find out more, click on the Badge below.
Our 10 Ethical Commitments
Locally Driven, Collaborative Projects
We aim to design all our projects in collaboration with local organizations and communities and ensure that they are locally driven.
Clear Objectives & Sustainable Outcomes
We aim to clearly define short-, mid-, and long-term objectives with sustainable outcomes for all our projects.
Impact Reporting
We aim to track, record, and publish the impact of each of our projects.
Working Against Dependency
We aim to build in-country capacity by assisting local organizations in becoming self-sustaining.
Responsible Exit Strategies
For each local organization we work with, we aim to have a plan in place for withdrawing support responsibly.
Clear Roles & Specialized Training
We aim to ensure that every participant is assigned a clear role and that they are fully trained and supported to carry out their work by specialized staff.
Respect for all
In all our actions we aim to respect the skills and efforts of all and seek to protect the rights, culture and dignity of everyone who engages with GVI.
Local Ownership
We work to ensure that credit for the results of any project, along with any data collected, research conducted, or Intellectual Property developed, remains the property of local organizations.
Transitioning from the Orphanage Model
We do not condone and aim to withdraw support of orphanages and residential care centers.
Child and Vulnerable adult policies
We will live by our Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult policies.
Continual Development
As an organization, GVI is committed to striving toward best practice, and to educating both our potential participants, our partners, and the world at large about them. Both the volunteering and sustainable development sectors are increasingly, and rightly, under scrutiny. Many recent local and global articles highlight poor practices and questionable ethics. GVI is widely recognized for striving to apply global best practice in the volunteering, education and sustainable development sectors throughout our operations by reputable organizations such as ChildSafe.
However, global best practice is always evolving and we dedicate both time and resources to engage with internationally respected experts and learn from the latest research to ensure our programs both fulfil their potential to create maximum positive impact, and minimise their potential to create unintentional negative impact. Along with and as part of the sustainable development and volunteering community, we are constantly learning and applying this learning to practice. We do not always get everything right, but we seek feedback from our community members, partners, participants and our staff, and react accordingly. We know are already doing a great job, and feedback we have received confirms this, but we aim to do even better and are continuously refining our operations to improve upon our already excellent reputation.
Program Ethics
NO ORPHANAGE PROGRAMS
We don’t support or allow participants to work in institutional residential care facilities, also known as orphanages. We partner with ReThink Orphanages and Freedom United.
CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION POLICY
Our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy requires all our staff and participants to complete a criminal background check and to learn why you shouldn’t reveal a child’s identifying factors in photographs. We support the ChildSafe Movement.
NO MEDICAL VOLUNTEERING
We don’t offer any programs where our participants engage in medical treatment. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country. Our participants only assist with public health programs.
NO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
We don’t offer any programs where our participants work directly with people with disabilities. This is because our participants aren’t typically qualified to do this work and would therefore not be able to do this work in their home country.
Training
A GVI program is an investment in your career. No matter which you choose, you will be working toward improving your employability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise and earning qualifications in many cases. Most of our staff are, in fact, GVI Alumni, and we have helped many of our Alumni discover, move toward, and earn their own personal dream jobs. Each program includes introductory workshops, ongoing presentations, as well as on-the-ground professional support provided by our very own trained staff members. In addition, our training programs are critical for helping us to ensure the long-term impact of our sustainable development projects around the world.
For All GVI Participants
Orientation: Your Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Learn about COVID-19 pre-departure guidelines, base expectations, personal and area hygiene practices and what we are doing to keep you safe.
Orientation: Travelling Responsibly and Ethically
Learn about the importance of child and vulnerable adult protection best practices and how to apply them while on project.
Orientation: UN Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction to the history and evolution of sustainable development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and how these related to your project work.
Orientation: Further Opportunities for Impact
Learn about our country locations and further opportunities available to you during or after your program.
For All Participants at Cimarrones
Community: Women’s Empowerment
Community: Human Empowerment
Costa Rican Culture
Introduction to TEFL
Qualifications
ITA TEFL Certificate
One of the most popular ways to work and travel the world is teaching English abroad. Many jobs require that you already have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. We offer certified TEFL courses in several locations in partnership with The International TEFL Academy (ITA). It is a 170 hour part-time online course which prepares participants to teach English to a wide range of foreign language students from business professionals to young children. Students typically take about 11 weeks to complete the course. Our TEFL course also includes 20 hours of practical work, which is more than TEFL standards require, to provide practical engagement to assist with self-learning. There is also an option to complete another 30 hours at no extra charge to learn more about adapting teaching methods to young learners or business professionals. ITA also provides a lifetime access to career resources.
University of Richmond Certificate Careers in Sustainability
Career paths in social and environmental impact are not as well-established as in other fields. That’s why we’ll provide our interns who have successfully completed their program with our Careers in Sustainable Development course. In this course, you’ll learn about current and emerging opportunities in a range of sectors, allowing you to make the best decision about your future.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all internships. Full course details can be found here.
University of Richmond Certificate Leading Teams for Impact
Leadership is a critical skill set for anyone looking to make an impact or drive sustainable development. Develop your own leadership style and learn how to set achievable objectives, give effective feedback and manage conflict successfully. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Richmond.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.
University of Richmond Certificate Community Development
In this course, you’ll explore the most common pitfalls of community development initiatives so that you can avoid them. You’ll also learn how to carry out community development work effectively and ethically and how local context impacts program development. After successfully completing the course, which you have the option of doing prior to your in-country program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Richmond.
This online course, valued at £295, is included in all volunteering programs. Full course details can be found here.
References and Recommendations
Professional Reference
Once you’ve successfully completed your internship, you’ll receive a digital professional reference signed by your program manager. It’ll include a description of the topics covered and the experience gained on your program. Add this to your job applications to boost your chances of securing the position of your choice.
LinkedIn Recommendation and Skills Endorsement
This is only included in the research and career internships.
If you’ve fulfilled the requirements of your internship, your supervisor will complete a LinkedIn recommendation for you. This’ll summarise the most impactful points of your professional reference. They’ll also endorse skills they’ve seen you demonstrate during your internship.
Career Services
After successfully completing your internship you’ll have a host of new skills, specialised knowledge and work experience. You’ll also have a professional reference and, possibly, new qualifications. Our post-program career services will help you leverage what you’ve gained throughout your internship to take the next step on your chosen career path.
Careers in Sustainability
Career paths in social and environmental impact are not as well-established as other fields. That’s why we provide all of our interns with a Careers in Sustainable Development course in partnership by the University of Richmond. In this course, you’ll learn about current and emerging opportunities in a range of sectors, allowing you to make the best decision about your future.
This online course is valued at £295 and is included in all internships.
Course details can be found here.
Career Coaching
When you’ve successfully completed your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule two career coaching sessions with one of GVI’s career mentors.
Use these small group sessions to develop your career goals, personal branding and job-hunting strategies.
Preferential Recruitment
At the end of your internship you’ll be added to our list of potential candidates we’ll consider first for GVI vacancies around the world. Stay up-to-date on positions by checking our Careers Abroad jobs portal. Get in touch if you find that fits you perfectly.
Job Portal Access
Once signed up to a GVI Internship, you’ll receive access to our jobs portal listing thousands of vacancies in social and environmental impact roles around the world. Employers range from non-profits to purpose-driven businesses.
Job Guarantee
If you join a career and research internship program for the duration of 24 weeks or longer you’ll receive a money-back job guarantee. We promise that you’ll find a position in an impact-driven field within 18 months of successfully completing the program or you’ll receive 50% of your internship program fee back.
Free time
Joining a program not only allows participants to collaborate with communities or work toward preserving unique ecosystems but it also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area or travel further to see what other parts of the region have to offer.
Long term field staff are a great source of advice, and have helped us put together the following information on local travel options. Many decide to travel before or after their experience (subject to immigration restrictions), solidifying the lifetime friendships established on program. Please note that the below suggestions are not included in the program fee, and are for the individual to organise at their own expense.
Weekend Trips
FINCA TOURS
PUERTO VIEJO
Coffee Plantation Tour
Canopy Tour
RIVER ADVENTURES
Further Travels
IRAZÚ VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
CARTAGO PROVINCE
Surfing
Manuel Antonio National Park
Other Latin American Nations
National Parks
San Jose
Cultural Immersion
Engaging intimately with a new context teaches not only global awareness but adaptability and critical thinking, skills highly valued in the modern marketplace. Local and cultural immersion is encouraged on all our programs around the world, and is also one of the most enjoyable aspects of your experience. Luckily, there are many activities you can get involved with in your free time, or before and after your program. On our community programs the focus is on cultural topics, while on marine or wildlife programs the emphasis is more on the environmental element. Use your evenings and weekends to explore diverse and eclectic topics like Theravada Buddhism in Laos or how plastic pollution and climate change affects Indian Ocean coral.
CHURCHES AND CATHEDRALS
You’ll find many beautiful churches and cathedrals within the forests and hills of Cartago and Limón province. Cartago province is home to the renowned Black Madonna – a catholic shrine to the Virgen de los Angeles (the Virgin of the Angels) who is Costa Rica's patron saint, also known as La Negrita.Festivals
March to April: Easter is a popular holiday in Costa Rica and is celebrated with elaborate processions.October: You can experience the city of Límon’s famous carnival in October.
December: As a predominantly Catholic country, Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas with enthusiasm.
Spirituality and Religion
The majority of Costa Ricans identify with the Roman Catholic religion. Other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Rastafari are also followed in Costa Rica. Our community is also home to a number of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses.Dancing
Dancing is an integral part of Costa Rican culture. Locals learn to dance the fluid ballroom styles of cumbia, salsa, bolero, and the merengue from a young age, and festivals often involve dancing in the streets. Taking a dance class on your weekend travels is a fantastic way to experience this vibrant culture and see why it plays such a big role in Costa Rica’s history and their way of life.Cooking
Food in Costa Rica is a combination of Spanish, South American, Caribbean and American influences. Common dishes include corn tortillas, tamales, fried plantain and Gallo Pinto, (meaning “spotted rooster”) – which is the national dish, and consists of a mixture of rice and beans. Learning to cook traditional dishes using authentic Latin American ingredients allows you to connect with the culture on a very unique level through the universal language of food.Languages
Spanish is the country’s official language and the majority of the population speaks Spanish. You’ll also hear indigenous languages like Bribri, Ngӧbe, Cabecar, Buglere and Maleku, as well as English, and even Mandarin. In and around Cimarrones, the community speaks Spanish, Patua, Creole, Cabecar, and varying levels of English.Parent Info
‘If only every student could do this. It changes your life in all the right ways,’ says Chris Heritage, parent of Luke Heritage, one of our teen volunteers who has participated on two GVI programs, one in Costa Rica and another in South Africa.
We are a parent-run organisation that is incredibly serious about health and safety, and increasing the impact, as well as the long-term career benefits of our programs. Our programs help young people develop the skills to select a career path that is personally fulfilling, and live a life aligned to the well-being of our planet and the global community.
Ken and Linda Jeffrey, whose son Sam volunteered with GVI in Thailand, talk about how the experience affected Sam. He also went on to volunteer with GVI again in South Africa. ‘I know it sounds like a cliche but in a sense, he did go away as a boy and he came back as a young man. Both of us could recommend GVI without any hesitation to any other parent thinking about exploring an opportunity for their children to explore the world and to see different parts of it.’
Parent Info Pack
Download the Parent Pack and learn more about:
Our staff: All our projects are run by staff, selected, vetted, trained, and managed by our central office.
Health and safety: Our safety practices include a child and vulnerable adult protection policy and high participant ratios.
Staying in touch: See what’s happening on base, by following a hub’s dedicated Facebook page.
Free parent consultations: We would love to talk to you about exciting opportunities available for your child.
Support & Safety
We won’t sugarcoat it — traveling abroad is usually a complex process that carries an element of risk. But this is exactly why we’re passionate about providing extensive support throughout the process as well as the highest safety standards during the in-country phase. We believe that volunteering abroad should not only be impactful, but an enjoyable experience that carries as little risk as possible. This is exactly how we’ve been able to maintain our reputation as the most highly respected volunteering organisations in the sector over the past two decades.
COVID-19 Safety
Enhanced cleaning and social-distancing measures are in place throughout each GVI program. Learn more.
Support
Once a participant books, they will be assigned a personal support coordinator who will oversee their pre-departure journey. The support coordinator helps to bridge the gap between program enrolment and arrival at one of our field bases. Your personal support coordinator will ensure that you are provided with all the necessary information required to apply for visas, background checks, and any other documentation.
Safety
Upon arrival at the airport, participants will be greeted by a GVI staff member. All GVI staff are our own and all our programs around the world are run by our staff. All GVI field staff are background checked, Emergency First Response and safety trained. The minimum staff to participant ratio on GVI’s programs is one to six, although on several bases we have a ratio of one to three. When finishing the experience, participants will provide feedback on all aspects of their program.
Essential information you need to travel safely during the COVID-19
pandemic – including destination ratings, flight bookings, and tests.
Health & Safety Case Studies
HOW GVI UPHOLDS HEALTH AND SAFETY
It takes courage to book a GVI program, get on a flight, and head off to somewhere new. Volunteering offers a level of cultural immersion that typical backpacking or holidays just can’t achieve. This is why thousands of people around the world participate in paid GVI programs.
GVI’S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND SECURITY
As the saying goes: ‘Expect the best, plan for the worst’. Cliched or not, we take it to heart. This tenet is at the core of how GVI operates when it comes to promoting the health and safety of our participants, staff, and local community members at all of our 20+ bases around the world.
HOW GVI REMAINS PREPARED FOR NATURAL DISASTERS
The weather isn’t just a topic for polite small-talk here at GVI. We have emergency action plans in place for all scenarios. So when the weather, or other natural forces, takes a nasty turn, we are prepared to respond to stormy situations.
HOW GVI MANAGES PARTICIPANTS EXPECTATIONS
Once GVI has matched a participant to a program that suits their passions and goals, our team aims to set the right expectations for them. In the event that false expectations around a program are created, the GVI team takes immediate action to ensure that the situation rectified.
