CAREER EXPLORATION IN WILDLIFE AND RAINFOREST RESEARCH

Embark on a dynamic 21-day internship adventure in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, where your knowledge and hands-on experience flourish week by week. Join a dedicated group of aspiring conservationists to engage in immersive wildlife studies. Be guided by field biologists, and actively contribute to habitat restoration projects. Embrace sustainable practices that are critical in being a good steward of the environment. This is your opportunity to explore, learn and make a lasting impact on the delicate ecosystems of Costa Rica while gaining valuable, real-world internship experience.

Even after spending three weeks in Costa Rica, you’ll wish you could stay longer by the time departure day comes!

Discover the remarkable Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Engage in hands-on initiatives and workshops within local communities, while gaining essential knowledge and experience in the field of conservation. Learn all about the interdependence of nature on a local scale. You’ll also contribute to vital wildlife conservation efforts guided by experienced biologists! With over 2.5% of the planet’s biodiversity concentrated in this rainforest haven, this internship offers you the chance to emerge with not only practical skills, but also a profound appreciation for the peninsula’s unparalleled biodiversity. Expect to develop a deeper understanding of sustainable coexistence between humans and nature that can shape your path toward a future in conservation.

Internships for high school students like this one are still unique, but are becoming more requisite all the time for teens looking to stand out within large, competitive university applicant pools. This internship can also help you determine whether the focus area you choose – Environmental Stewardship – is a good fit for your future college education or career path.

Home Base is a rustic nature lodge nestled within a lush jungle field station. Find yourself surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature! Your accommodation provides a direct connection to the natural world, allowing you to fully absorb the essence of the Osa Peninsula’s vibrant ecosystem. The simplicity of our lodging perfectly complements the rugged beauty of the region, offering a tranquil sanctuary after each day’s adventure-filled exploration.

High school students who participate in this GLA travel internship in Costa Rica will develop essential leadership and career development skills, while working on initiatives centered around the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development worldwide.

This is an experiential career development internship with sociological underpinnings into a specific theme and concentration in a field of interest. Interns will gain experience working in-person with a social enterprise or nonprofit host organization from around the world.

Throughout the course of your session you will complete 60 total internship hours:

• Observation Hours: 36
• Professional Development Hours: 12
• Self-Study Hours: 12

The outcomes of this internship are related to five main learning objectives:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of your goals and your professional growth areas, as well as a deeper understanding of Costa Rica and fields related to environmental stewardship.
2. Attain knowledge and understanding of recent trends, terminology and case studies within environmental conservation.
3. Learn to recognize and articulate multiple perspectives within a larger social context.
4. Learn to critically analyze quantitative and qualitative sources of information to make informed opinions.
5. Learn to observe and analyze real places and situations where impacts and results can be interpreted and applied within context.

Our partner for this internship, Osa Institute, was founded in 2011 in Costa Rica. Osa Institute is a nonprofit organization that is sponsored by donations and utilizes Osa Discovery & Lodge as a research center for data collection, laboratory for data analysis, work space and center for developing projects specific to educational goals.

These goals include comprehensive biological monitoring, focusing on fields such as Agriculture, Entomology, Ornithology, Herpetology, Mammals, and Marine Conservation. Osa Institute also utilizes the Community Center to offer classes to the community in a range of fields.

Osa Discovery serves as an international education and experiential provider for these groups of educators and students, aiming to elevate the overall experience of the group. This helps to foster a favorable environment that encourages exploration, cooperation and the creation of lasting memories amidst the wonders of the Osa Peninsula.

The 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development serves as the framework for discussions and the self-study coursework for our student interns here in Costa Rica. During this travel internship you will focus on three SDGs, including:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

Explore topics related to building the case for sustainable conservation practices.

Complete a core curriculum with your peers and through the guidance of your internship supervisor. Build your personal competitive edge, as part of a cohort of student interns working in partnership with our global nonprofit partner in Costa Rica. Create a portfolio from completed project work to enhance your college application or future career resume.

By completing this travel internship you will earn:

• A professional letter of recommendation
• A certificate of completion
• Community service hours
• Relevant experience for college applications and essays

Global Leadership Adventures can also provide any supporting documentation and serve as an organization of record, should you want to earn college credits for your internship.

Global Leadership Adventures is extremely proud to partner with Portland State University, based in Portland, Oregon, to offer college credit for our student interns who successfully complete all requirements for the internship.

Student interns are welcome to enroll in the internship for Portland State University credit. This internship course curriculum is fully accredited for U.S. undergraduate credit through PSU. Credits are transferable to other colleges and universities, though please note that it is the responsibility of each intern to confirm with their university of intent that these quarter credits will be accepted at the institution.

Getting college credit during high school has so many benefits. It can help with earning scholarships for college and even improve your chance of admission into your university of choice.

The additional fee to earn four quarter credits from Portland State University is $750.00. Though recommended, you are not required to purchase the college credit add-on as it is 100% optional. Click here to learn more.

Click here to begin your program application.

To save your spot, an application fee and $600 deposit are required.

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