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Internships in Costa Rica:

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, a worldwide leader in ecotourism, is known for its astounding beauty and rich biodiversity. But despite its breathtaking scenery and reputation for environmental-friendliness, Costa Rica has many complex layers. In the 1990s, Costa Rica’s sudden popularity as a tourist destination added new life to a primarily export-driven economy, once largely based on agricultural goods from coffee to produce. This reliance on tourism, and therefore the international economy deeply affects Costa Rica, as there is a sharp decrease in both of its main sources of revenue — a drastically lower demand for exports and a lagging tourism industry. As a result, the government is now aiming to diversify the economy by improving education in technology. In addition, Costa Rica’s reputation for social stability and peace, along with its free education and universal healthcare, has drawn the attention of immigrants from other Central American countries seeking better lives. Along with issues such as alcoholism and machismo, the combined impact of immigration and a struggling economy has led to more pervasive challenges such as widespread unemployment, elderly abandonment, child labor, and an increasing economic divide.

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Our Mission

To empower students to become globally minded professionals by enabling hands-on work experience with organizations around the world that are making a difference. We do this by creating an international network of in-country partners and local grass roots organizations who are working to improve the welfare of their community in areas such as education, health care, the environment, clean energy, economic development, agriculture and more. Terra Intern Abroad is open to work with non-profits, non-governmental organizations, sustainable businesses and mission-driven social enterprises.

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