Location:

San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Type:

Intern Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Year Round

Work Types:

Business

Program Overview

Program Description:

A great way to gain experience living and teaching in a foreign community, while also making a positive contribution to international development.

WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded by a group of Harvard students in 1986 in response to the need for educational assistance in developing countries. It also addressed a growing interest among people in the U.S. and elsewhere to serve, teach and learn as volunteers overseas. Since its inception, WorldTeach has placed thousands of volunteer educators in communities throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Pacific.

Setting Description:

Every year, WorldTeach places approximately 20 volunteer teachers to serve in Costa Rican primary schools, teaching grades 1st through 6th. Volunteers provide opportunities for English language learning to students that would not normally have an English teacher. WorldTeach works closely with the Ministry of Education (MEP) on volunteer placements to identify schools lacking local English teachers, ensuring that no Costa Rican teachers' jobs are displaced, as well as serving in schools with an acute need. In addition, since 2002, WorldTeach has assisted the MEP with its pilot bilingual schools program to provide instruction in English across all subjects.

Cost:

The cost of the Costa Rica year long program is $5,490. This includes pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, health insurance, 3-week long in-country orientation, transportation to your site, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, and 24-hour field support. WorldTeach Costa Rica volunteers receive a monthly stipend directly from the Ministry of Education once they begin teaching of approximately $100 per month. This stip