This comprehensive training in Costa Rica is a great choice to start a career and studies to work in the environment.

Costa Rica is home to a great diversity of species, and particularly rich ecosystems. The local authorities are doing their best not to lose the environmental richness of this place, but efforts are still needed for the conservation of the fauna and flora.

Indeed, the harmful effects of mass tourism are felt, with a population of jaguars that has declined considerably since the 1950s, currently numbering 14,000 against 400,000 70 years ago. One example among many others.

Like all of our training courses for working in the environment abroad , this project in Costa Rica allows you to benefit from complete learning while contributing to the preservation of the region’s ecosystems.

The training includes 2 expeditions per day in the rainforest to track species, collect data and study wildlife behavior. You will also have the opportunity to track the jaguar, in order to analyze its behavior through cameras previously installed in the rainforest, through studies to work in the environment.

Also participate in raising awareness of local communities through various workshops, and collect various data on the environment in order to put in place the best preservation strategies.

This project is part of the so-called career training:

This vocational training program is part of the so-called “career” projects. In addition to the mission that you carry out on site, it allows you to benefit from real support, and to access the position of project coordinator in 6 months. Here you combine theoretical training with practical learning, with online modules to be completed after the end of the mission. At the end of the program, you obtain an international certification recognized and issued by the University of Richmond, in the United States.

The accompaniment is therefore present upstream, on site but also downstream of the project. During the course of the mission, you will also have a remote project to carry out: you will have to solve a problem with other partner organizations in marine conservation, environment, animal protection… A coach will follow you and support you to help you in the best possible way in the resolution of these problems, and at the end of the project you will have access to a platform of job offers in NGOs, either to pursue a career or to continue your studies to work in the environment.

Remote projects included in professional training will be carried out AFTER having carried out the mission in the field.

If your training lasts 4-11 weeks, you will work on a remote project for a period of 4 weeks after completing the field assignment.
If your training lasts 12 weeks or more, you will work on 2 remote projects for a duration of 8 weeks after completing the field mission.

For more information on the employment guarantee conditions, click on the link:

Conditions on the job guarantee

Take a closer look at all the specificities of this training as a career program !

Mission 1: Environmental studies in Costa Rica

This study program for working in the environment allows participants to develop different methods of observing the Costa Rican ecosystem, as well as setting up data collection to study wildlife behaviors. The Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment is the first point of contact for the partner organization, which sends it the data collected to help the government take the best measures to protect endangered species such as jaguars.

=> Consult the National Geographic Article on our Jaguars project in Costa Rica

Mission 2: Bird Study in Costa Rica

This mission takes place in the heart of a national park, which is home to many species of birds. The project consists in recognizing and collecting different data on the species of the reserve. This makes it possible to carry out a better analysis of the local ecosystem, transmitted to the government which relies on it to carry out its conservation actions.

The strengths of animal training in Costa Rica:

• Working in the heart of the natural environment between national parks and reserves;
• Training within a multicultural team of experienced scientists;
• Acquire real technical skills, on video recording, on data collection and analysis;
• Get exclusive team management training;

Please note that:

• The project requires a certain physical condition because of the hot and humid climate.
• You won’t be busy all day, as surveys normally take 1-2 hours, but you can study, organize games or enjoy the beach.
• Electricity comes from solar panels, but if the weather is bad there may not be enough energy to charge everyone’s devices! Be prepared for low energy recharge for your devices during the rainy season. There is no electricity in the huts. It is very important that you bring a backpack type bag as you must carry your own luggage to the base.
• During turtle season, the beach is very rough and it is very hot and humid. During this season, volunteers may be required to walk up to 12 km on a survey under the sun.
• All volunteers and interns need a general biodiversity permit, as we are working in a national park. We need at least 4 weeks to process these permits.
• Volunteers will also participate in other wildlife surveys (not mandatory but highly recommended) – Once or twice a week volunteers will be on base cooking. Personal camera trapping is not permitted.

Contribute to the conservation of the local Costa Rican ecosystem with this environmental work study program, training you to make a positive and sustainable impact.