Observe medical procedures, consultations with patients and learn Spanish medical terminology. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist with checking vital signs and taking blood pressure and height and weight of patients. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to analyze and develop X-rays and work with blood tests in the laboratory. Volunteers assist in health campaigns to provide educational health talks on various topics such as nutrition, dengue, TB, diarrhea, breast exams and immunizations. For a glimpse of alternative care, there are opportunities to visit patients in their homes. This placement is ideal for those going into the medical field. Assist social workers with student interviews for scholarships, observe and help with domestic violence, drug addiction and alcoholism cases for students and their family.

Work as a teacher's aid by grading papers, assisting students with homework and supervising the classroom. Tutor special needs students one-on-one or teach English. Volunteers also assist with physical education classes and plan recreational activities. This is an excellent choice for those interested in gaining classroom teaching experience.

Visit and read to children in the various wards of the hospital. Assist the hospital staff with the duties of the ward and boost morale of the patients through story telling, arts and crafts projects and games. Entertain children to allow parents to step out and run errands. This placement is ideal for those going into the social work or medical field.

Prepare and conduct arts and crafts projects for children and supervise them at the museum. Educate children and provide demonstrations regarding the various educational themes throughout the museum. Volunteers have the opportunity to translate pamphlets that the museum utilizes for their visitors. Volunteers also assist with various marketing and PR projects.

Research and distribute reports and newsletters to the general public relating to current topics and initiatives being discussed in the Costa Rican government. Some areas of focus include free trade, environment, human rights, immigration policy, US - Costa Rican relations and rights of indigenous peoples. Translation opportunities are also available.

Assist a social worker and be a teacher's aid in an orphanage or school. Volunteers help with homework, give tutorials, and provide academic support in a variety of subjects. Mentor and support the children through fun games and reading activities.

Learn to guide students and children through the park to view the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. Help with the collection, sorting and classification of butterflies, other insects, animals and plant life. There are also opportunities to work in the areas of investigative research and client services at the park.

Give drawing and painting workshops to children and the elderly and assist with the occasional art festival. Depending on their language level volunteers may also be trained to give guided tours of the exhibitions in the museum.

Complete basic lab work to analyze material recovered from a site. Wash, tag and catalog ceramics, bones and lithic remains. Support the museum through management of the natural history collections, historical documents or library. Guide tours of the museum, work with the development of the exhibitions, help with special events or workshops or assist with administrative tasks. This placement is ideal for volunteers interested in archaeology, anthropology, botany, entomology, ornithology, zoology, museology and/or administration.

Assist with English classes or other projects. Help provide the children with a solid education and values. Work with social programs for people living with AIDS, indigenous people, pregnant women and street children.

Provide animal care at the zoo. Volunteers help to prepare food, feed, clean cages and handle animals. There are also opportunities to guide young school children through tours of the zoo and teach them basic facts and vocabulary about the animals. Participants may also work with the reforestation of land, collect seeds for planting, plant and maintain trees and perform trail maintenance.

Plan activities for senior citizens, organize games, read and talk with them, assist them with everyday activities and possibly teach. Volunteers will spend time with them as well as their families that visit on a regular basis. This placement is great for those that really want to practice their Spanish as the seniors are very talkative and love to share their stories with the volunteers.

Assist the organization to provide workshops and educational talks to the public, help research new information and give general emotional support for the patients inflicting with HIV, AIDS or STIs. Help the organization to strengthen prevention and contribute to a better quality of life for the patients.

Work with an organization that provides after school and daycare services to children of limited economic resources. Help students with homework, education activities and be a mentor. Volunteers can sing songs and play games with the children to encourage a positive environment.

Work with an NGO dedicated to protecting and conserving the environment. Participate and interact with this NGO on current and upcoming projects on investigation and research. Volunteers can review projects, research, edit, translate, prepare reports, and learn about how an NGO works from the inside out. This is great for students interested in environmental law.

Assist teachers and medical professionals at a center for children with special needs. The center has programs that focus on social work, psychology, counseling and guidance, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and emotional disorders. It also has a teacher who specializes in hearing, language and education for blind and deaf-blind individuals, as well as music, physical education, and art. The center also provides support programs and homecare where children are given dietary guidance by a nutritionist, as well as medical care. ELAP participants will be able to assist in the various areas of the center, depending on their interests and aptitudes.

This organization's mission is to empower survivors of sexual violence and the sexual commerce industry to reestablish themselves in society through providing counseling, literacy classes and vocational training. Educate the women on topics of marketing, finance and business administration, assist in the day care, teach computer lessons and support the women in their microenterprise bakery initiative.
*Female volunteers only.