VN Center

Casa
Costa Rica
Upala
VN Center

VN Center Study abroad and volunteer in Costa Rica. Intern, volunteer, and academic group study.

Support communities and gain experience while immersing yourself in Costa Rican culture.

28/05/2026

Josie has participated in VN faculty lead programs before. This time, she decided to return on her own for a fully customized internship experience.

During her two weeks, Josie lived with a local host family, worked mornings at the hospital, and spent afternoons at CAIPAD supporting adults with disabilities through activities, arts, and daily interaction. Outside of her internship, she explored Río Celeste, La Fortuna, spent time with her host family, and experienced everyday life in Costa Rica.

While Josie's group experience was incredible, she discovered that coming independently allowed her to grow in new ways. Through daily life with her host family, she connected more deeply with the culture and language. In her personalized and supervised internship placement, she was able to take on more responsibilities, build stronger relationships, and reflect more intentionally on her future goals.

Sometimes stepping outside of the group experience creates space for personal and professional growth you never expected. ✨

Have you already traveled with us as part of a group and wondered what it would be like to come back on your own? Interested in a customized internship, Spanish immersion, or personalized cultural experience in Costa Rica? We’d love to help you create something meaningful, flexible, and designed around your goals.

🌎Two weeks. One personalized experience. 💙🇨🇷

25/05/2026

Day 3 at CAIPAD 💙
53 continues her internship experience with the amazing adults and staff at CAIPAD. From making colorful paper popsicles to dancing, each day is a new opportunity for connection and learning.

Experiences like this remind us that kindness, inclusion, and human connection go beyond borders. Thank you to everyone at CAIPAD for welcoming Josie and with so much warmth. 🌎✨

We are so grateful for the memories, lessons, and friendships being created along the way.

23/05/2026

Day 2 at CAIPAD 💙

Today, .53 and Program Assistant continued learning from the incredible adults and staff at CAIPAD through art, movement, and connection.

Internships like this allow participants to form relationships, build cultural humility, and understanding the strengths and talents every person brings to the community. 🌎✨

21/05/2026

Day 1 of Josie’s internship at CAIPAD 💙

Today, Josie worked alongside VN Assistant and the amazing adults at CAIPAD. It was a fun and meaningful first day!

At CAIPAD, internships are about relationships, cultural exchange, empathy, and supporting individual strengths to allow all to thrive ✨

We are excited to see Josie continue learning from this incredible community throughout her internship 🇨🇷

18/05/2026

In La Victoria, we invited children to reflect, create, and share through our “What Is In Your Heart?” activity ❤️🎨

Through art, the kids expressed their dreams, friendships, families, and hopes for the future. These small moments of creativity open space for connection, confidence, and joy.

Every drawing tells a story and very child deserves to be heard.

Thank you to everyone who continues supporting community-based activities that promote well-being, creativity, and belonging in border communities.

Interns welcome to join our Rincon de Arte program to spread health, wellbeing, community, and peace through community arts and crafts.

17/05/2026

CAIPAD Upala supports adults with disabilities by building independence, community, creativity, and opportunity every day. From occupational therapy to art, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion, these spaces remind us that every person deserves dignity and the ability to thrive 🌎💙

Interns and volunteers can learn alongside CAIPAD and support inclusion, wellbeing, and human connection.

Internships are a chance to grow professionally while making meaningful relationships that truly matter.

16/05/2026

Today, we explored the border region of Los Chiles, learning about the growing reality of reverse migration as families and individuals are being forced to leave the United States and return to uncertainty.

We reflected on the human side of migration and the important role that NGOs, local organizations, and communities play in creating spaces of safety, dignity, and support for vulnerable populations.

From providing basic needs and legal support, to listening and welcoming, community matters. Borders are not just political spaces; they are deeply human spaces filled with stories, challenges, and strength.

Thank you to the organizations and community members working every day to accompany migrant and refugee families with compassion and humanity. 🌎🤝

Students and professionals are invited to be a part of this process and community! Internships and volunteer programs to support migrant communitiesare open;

15/05/2026

Today, the children of La Victoria shared their dreams, hopes, and creativity through our “Under the Same Sky” art activity. Through colors, drawings, and imagination, we remembered that no matter where we come from, we all live under the same sky. 💙

A space for creativity, connection, and joy in the community. 🎨☁️

13/05/2026

Today we celebrated the incredible women of La Victoria and one year of their sewing project. We decorated hats, danced together, shared cake, and celebrated a new sewing machine that will help continue creating opportunities and dreams for the future. 💃🎂🪡

A special thank you to the students from for donating the new sewing machine and helping support this project and the women behind it. ❤️

Want to be part of this work? Interns and volunteers can collaborate with the women of La Victoria on marketing, product development, English, social media, community development, and more while learning from the community and building meaningful connections across cultures 🌎✨

.petrilla

01/05/2026

No one regrets doing a volunteer abroad or internship abroad program in Costa Rica.

They regret waiting too long.

If you’ve been thinking about stepping outside your comfort zone, gaining real-world experience, and being part of something meaningful — this might be the decision that shifts your direction.

At VN Center, our international internship and volunteer programs focus on social justice, community development, and working alongside migrant and host communities.

This isn’t just an experience.
It’s something that stays with you.

Summer 2026 is open.

26/04/2026

You’re not behind.

You just haven’t experienced this yet.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about your direction, sometimes what you need isn’t more time — it’s a different experience.

An internship abroad in Costa Rica or a volunteer program focused on social justice and community work can shift your perspective, build confidence, and help you find clarity.

At VN Center, our international internship and volunteer programs are designed to help you grow through real experiences, not just ideas.

Your path doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s.

Dirección

Upala

Teléfono

+50683367586

Página web

http://www.gostudycostarica.org/

Notificaciones

Sé el primero en enterarse y déjanos enviarle un correo electrónico cuando VN Center publique noticias y promociones. Su dirección de correo electrónico no se utilizará para ningún otro fin, y puede darse de baja en cualquier momento.