Join Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable international internship organization, and invest in your future with a Healthcare Internship in Costa Rica.

Healthcare internships in Costa Rica are based in clinics or hospitals, where interns assist and shadow local doctors and nurses. Specific placements are tailored for interns’ experience, internship length and Spanish language proficiency, but all provide the chance to see healthcare in action in a small Costa Rican town and learn from experienced local professionals.

All interns in Costa Rica are accommodated in various homestay accommodations. Interns are matched to an appropriate host family, taking into consideration convenient proximity to their internship placement. Typical host families in Costa Rica usually comprise of two parents and children or a single parent with children (the ages of a host family’s children can range from young and still living at home, to adults living independently).

Eligibility requirement

Suitable for students at a pre-med educational level, as well as those studying medicine or nursing at a more advanced level.

Language requirements

Interns must be confident enough to verbally communicate in intermediate Spanish.

What's Included

This program ranges from 2-24 weeks. Your fully-hosted experience includes sourcing of your internship placement, personalization of your project plan, airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 support. For a full list of our transparent fees, check out our website.
 
Free healthcare is provided to citizens in Costa Rica, but resources are limited and help is always needed. Healthcare internships are based in the town of San Ramon de Alajuela and neighboring communities, where interns assist in healthcare clinics.

Pre-med healthcare internships are typically based in health support schools, elderly homes, chronic pain clinics, and on programs for people with disabilities. Pre-med interns can support local nurses and staff with a range of tasks, including administering medicines, treating small ailments, keeping medical records, conducting health workshops, assisting with mealtime, therapies, and other basic duties.

More experienced interns can assist alongside local doctors and nurses, typically in rural clinics or hospitals. Healthcare interns can shadow doctors as they treat patients, help to arrange medical supplies, assist during emergency situations, and help with health awareness workshops.

Please note that specific placements will always vary based on your medical experience and patient requirements. Short-term interns can expect to have an introductory experience, as the initial period of your internship is about understanding the local healthcare system, and Spanish-speaking interns are more likely to have greater independence.
 
Intern Abroad HQ's Costa Rica programs are available year-round, with the Monday start date of your choice.

Intern Abroad HQ provides the most affordable and top-rated programs. Detailed pricing available for your duration on our website.

We match you with innovative and entrepreneurial host organizations around the world that give you the opportunity to make a real contribution on high-impact projects with the support of travel experts with an outstanding safety system and track record.

Gain valuable international career experience that will boost your employability in a volatile job market.

Our experiential learning approach provides a structured and guided platform for you to think critically about your experiences on your internship. It accelerates and deepens your learning by asking self-reflective questions around the contexts, actions, and outcomes of your placement.

Academic credit available for all experiences with 45 hours or more through our School of Record with University of Montana that you can apply towards your degree at your home institution.

Flexible booking and free changes so you can register with confidence.

• Select your start date & duration: All Intern Abroad HQ programs are available year-round and you can choose to intern for durations on this program ranging from 2 to 24 weeks.
• Complete your registration: After you have been accepted on your chosen program, you can secure your place by paying the Deposit.
• Pay your Balance: This is only due 60 days before your program starts.

Need to make changes to your booking? You can make free unlimited changes to your destination, project and dates up until 60 days before you start.