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AIFS Internships San José

A historic church with a red spire stands amidst pink blooming trees and tall palms under a bright blue sky.

Costa Rica, San Jose

Offered through AIFS Abroad, the AIFS Internships San José program is an approved UW affiliate program. On this 8-week summer program, you'll grow professionally through AIFS's personalized internship match at a Costa Rican organization or company, complemented by AIFS' Global Career Readiness Program, all while immersing yourself in San José, the center of Costa Rican culture, history, and business. In your free time, explore Costa Rica's renowned biodiversity across its lush rainforests, beautiful mountains, and Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. 

You'll be working closely with both IAP and AIFS on this program. You can access the program's main information page through the AIFS Abroad San José Internships website to learn more about the internship placements, academics, housing, excursions, and location.

This program is open to students of all majors. Consult the AIFS Abroad San José Internships website for a list of example placements, including in the fields of Accounting, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Finance, Interior Design, Marketing, Museums/Galleries, NGO/Non-Profits, and Video Production, and more.  

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience and professional, practical skills while enhancing career development and building a global network

  • Global Perspective: Promote and foster cross-cultural exchange to thrive in an interconnected world

  • Personal Growth: Foster independence, critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience

  • Inclusive and Diverse Network: Build a network of professionals and peers from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Provider

Subjects

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Apartments, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Summer: Late May - Late July (8-weeks)

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 2/20/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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Alongside your internship, you will take an online course, IS-523 Culture & the Global Workplace (3 UW-Madison credits). This course includes internship reflection and academic consideration of cross-cultural relations in the global workforce. You will interact with other UW-Madison students doing internships in various fields around the world.

AIFS works with you 1:1 to gain a better understanding of your academic knowledge, career goals, language proficiency, and overall expectations for your time in San José, in order to best place you in a dynamic professional environment. Once an internship match is found, all interns will interview by phone or Zoom with your manager before the placement is offered and confirmed. When you arrive in San José, on-site staff will be there to help you start your internship and support you with on-site check-ins and coaching to make the most of your internship placement.

You will be required to confirm your participation on this program prior to receiving your specific internship placement. The timeline for receiving your internship placement varies and some students on your program may hear earlier than others. It is likely that you won't be informed of your placement until after you've arrived in country or right before departure.  As with all study abroad experiences, flexibility and open-mindedness are key. 

SOHE Students: You should request International Studies 523 (IS 523) as the course equivalent for your internship course and connect with your academic advisor once your credits from abroad transfer. Your advisor will make the appropriate substitution for your required major internship.

Affiliate Institution(s)

AIFS Abroad

Program Web Pages

AIFS Summer Internships San Jose