AIFS Abroad's Full-Time Internship program in San Jose, Costa Rica offers you a unique opportunity to gain real-world professional experience while earning optional academic credit toward your degree. Over a 12-week internship period, you'll work 32 to 40 hours per week in a field aligned with your academic and career interests, from engineering and environmental studies to marketing, nonprofit work, and video production.

The program places you with carefully selected host organizations across diverse sectors. Whether you're interested in civil engineering with a real estate development company, environmental consulting, software development, marketing communications, or work with NGOs supporting migrant rights, you'll find placements that match your goals. Each internship involves hands-on tasks—from conducting field work and completing technical drawings to managing social media, developing marketing strategies, and supporting project execution. You're not just observing; you're contributing meaningfully to real projects that matter to your host organization and the Costa Rican community.

Academic credit is optional and flexible. If your home university requires additional credits beyond what you can transfer, AIFS includes a 3-credit International Internship course (AIFS297) at no extra cost. You can upgrade to a 6-credit course for $600, or add supplementary courses in Global Leadership and Workforce Development or Intercultural Communications for $600 each. All coursework is completed online alongside your internship and includes journaling, reflections, and assignments that connect your workplace experience to broader learning outcomes. You'll receive an official transcript from Fairfield University (the School of Record), which your home institution will evaluate for transfer credit.

Beyond the internship itself, you'll immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and society. San Jose, the capital, is a vibrant hub where you'll interact with local colleagues, navigate a Spanish-speaking workplace, and gain intercultural competence that employers value. The program supports your transition with housing arrangements and ongoing advising. This is an ideal choice if you want to test-drive a career path, build professional skills, strengthen your resume, and experience meaningful cultural immersion—all while earning credit and getting paid through your internship salary.