• Decent Work And Economic Growth

Micro-Business Internship

location
4 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Work with local businesses, including entrepreneurs, families, and social enterprises.
  • Receive 1 hour of private Spanish lessons every day (Monday to Friday).
  • Gain Spanish practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.
  • Make memories you'll never forget during your time abroad.
  • Learn more about the Latin American ways, customs and habits.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Dive in & make a Costa Rican impact! Immerse yourself in the business world, apply your skills to real projects, and contribute to a local company's growth.

Micro business internship placements are with locally-owned business including small entrepreneurships, family-owned organizations, or social enterprises. Placements require at least an intermediate level (B1) of Spanish. Work may vary depending on current business projects and goals at your ...

About the program

Micro business internship placements are with locally-owned business including small entrepreneurships, family-owned organizations, or social enterprises. Placements require at least an intermediate level (B1) of Spanish. Work may vary depending on current business projects and goals at your placement.

Possible tasks for Micro-Business Interns include:

  • Provide online marketing support through website updates, social media management, adverting, etc.
  • Update and develop promotional materials
  • Assist with community outreach and promotion
  • Improve existing internal and external communication, including training materials, FAQs, and canned responses
  • Research competitors, potential partners, and promotional opportunities
  • Assist with basic accounting, including expense reports and project budgets
  • Assist with general day-to-day operations, office administration, client service, and sales

As part of the internship program, participants receive 1 hour of private Spanish lessons every day, Monday to Friday. The classes can be personalized to the level and work schedule, and focuses on vocabulary relevant to the internship placement. 

Our Native Spanish Program is taught by experienced, certified, native Spanish instructors. Maximo Nivel uses the Communicative Method of language teaching, which is focused primarily on immersive, spoken interaction as a means of learning. For this reason, please note that teachers speak only in Spanish 100% of the time during class.

All interns are required to submit weekly journals and a final deliverable.

Internships os less than 8 weeks require either a 10-20 page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation. Internships of 8 weeks or longer require both a 10-20 page written paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.

Final Deliverables are expected to cover the following:

  • Overview of the company worked with and the intern's role
  • Organization review
  • Sector analysis in host or home country
  • Analysis of obstacles incurred
  • Outcomes/results
Interns are always supported by Maximo Nivel’s in-country coordinators, but they are not with them at the placement every day. Please be prepared for some independence and leadership.

The majority of internship placements are located in and around San José. Travel time varies widely from place to place and interns should expect to spend 20-90 minutes traveling each way. The city bus system is generally the most effective and cheapest way to get to and from the project, though taxis are widely available and are still an option. For the first visit to the placement, interns are taken by a Maximo Nivel representative using the local transport and given additional information about how to get to and from the work place. Local bus rides are very affordable and a one way trip will rarely cost more than ₡350 (about $0.75). 

Typical day

Work hours at the internship placement vary according to the needs of the project. Interns should expect to work 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday, and they may have additional planning to do outside of work.

Typical day

Work hours at the internship placement vary according to the needs of the project. Interns should expect to work 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday, and they may have additional planning to do outside of work.

Free-time activities

Within San José, interns can take a city tour, see shows at the National Theatre, visit the central market, and go zip-lining. Our local staff always posts a monthly events calendar to them know of the activities going on around Maximo. Outside of San José, they can hike up volcanos, go ...

Free-time activities

Within San José, interns can take a city tour, see shows at the National Theatre, visit the central market, and go zip-lining. Our local staff always posts a monthly events calendar to them know of the activities going on around Maximo. Outside of San José, they can hike up volcanos, go whitewater rafting, and take a trip to the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. There are a lot of options and our staff is well-acquainted with the area to help advise on the must-see places. Tours and trips can also be easily booked through our on-site travel partner.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level)

Education Requirements

at High School level

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Maximo Nivel

Our fees include:

- Airport pick-up
- Host family accommodations (private room with breakfast and dinner)
- Spanish classes (5 hours of lessons/week)
- Program and safety orientation
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of internship
- Emergency contact number 24/7
- Program management
- Free Tandem Conversation Program
- Free office-wide WIFI and computer lounge
- Free social activities
- Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
- Maximo Nivel Institute open 7 days/week

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Airport pick up in San José is included. Interns find our representative outside the airport bringing a yellow flag with a smiley face on it.

Accommodation

Interns stay in a traditional family-stay where you they are placed with a pre-approved middle class Costa Rican family. Breakfast and dinner are included in their home stay.

Food & Beverages

Interns have 2 meals included (breakfast and dinner) 7 days a week.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Every Monday, all year round. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,983€
5 weeks 2,277€
6 weeks 2,570€
7 weeks 2,863€
8 weeks 2,977€
9 weeks 3,271€
10 weeks 3,564€
11 weeks 3,857€
12 weeks 4,150€
13 weeks 4,444€
14 weeks 4,737€
15 weeks 5,030€
16 weeks 5,324€
17 weeks 5,617€
18 weeks 5,910€
19 weeks 6,203€
20 weeks 6,497€
21 weeks 6,790€
22 weeks 7,083€
23 weeks 7,376€
24 weeks 7,670€
25 weeks 7,963€
26 weeks 8,256€
27 weeks 8,550€
28 weeks 8,843€
29 weeks 9,136€
30 weeks 9,429€
31 weeks 9,723€
32 weeks 10,016€
33 weeks 10,309€
34 weeks 10,602€
35 weeks 10,896€
36 weeks 11,189€
37 weeks 11,482€
38 weeks 11,775€
39 weeks 12,069€
40 weeks 12,362€
41 weeks 12,655€
42 weeks 12,949€
43 weeks 13,242€
44 weeks 13,535€
45 weeks 13,828€
46 weeks 14,122€
47 weeks 14,415€
48 weeks 14,708€
49 weeks 15,001€
50 weeks (max. stay) 15,295€
Average fees 401€/week

Program fees

401€ per week 4 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

4 - 50 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Maximo Nivel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Maximo Nivel

Brilliant 4.7 rating (110 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2003

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Georgie

Spoken languages: English, Spanish

About the project

Maximo Nivel offers Volunteer Abroad and International Internship programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.

Meet your organization

Who we are? 

Maximo Nivel is a family-owned organization that has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru, where we also own and operate 4 intercultural centers in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; San José, Costa Rica.

What we do? 

We offer a wide range of work-study-travel programs, including Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, TEFL Certification, Gap Year, Spanish Immersion, Adventure & Culture, and more! 

Where we work? 

Maximo Nivel’s work-study-travel programs take place in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; and San José, Costa Rica. We also have off-site programs on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica and Guatemala and in the Amazon Jungle and Sacred Valley of Peru. 

Our mission/vision: 

Maximo Nivel is a professional, ethical, and hardworking organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, participant, client, faculty leader, and partner who joins us.

Our goals: 

  • Deliver high-quality, safe, affordable programs 
  • Provide the best Spanish language immersion in all of Latin America 
  • Improve impact at every volunteer project site where we work 
  • Train and certify world-class ESL teachers 
  • Organize excellent internships and other opportunities for international work experience 
  • Help people experience the world through education, adventure, and cultural travel.

Who are we looking for? 

Adventurous people who are passionate about travel, culture, languages, and helping others.

Why choose us? 

Maximo Nivel's program fees are affordable and transparent. We pride ourselves on providing great client service!

110 reviews · rating4.7

Wolfgang Oberauer rating5

2024 at Construction and Renovation Assistant

I had the most amazing experience as part of this volunteering programme. Maximo Nivel was great in taking me feel looked after. My hist family was always there for me, kept my room clean, cooked for me and were super reliable. A great benefit was also the Spanish classes which really uplevelled my ...
Martina Gut rating4.4

2024 at Support Local Healthcare

Fue una linda experiencia para mí y me quedé satisfecha de toda manera. La primera semana estaba en un asilo de ancianos y las próximas semanas en un colegio para niños discapacitados, siempre con gente muy amable. En los fines de semana siempre hice excursiones fabulosas como montaña de siete ...
Aisha Rahman rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Observing the hatching of baby sea turtles in Costa Rica was an unparalleled experience. Everyone made me feel welcome and supported. It was great to be able to explore Tamarindo and other beach towns during the weekends and I met so many great people I still keep in touch today. Thank you for the ...
Daniel White rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Experiencing an arribada in Costa Rica was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Thousands of turtles arriving simultaneously to lay their eggs was a remarkable sight to behold. As a volunteer, I felt privileged to contribute to the conservation of these endangered ...
Kathleen Nordstrom rating5

2023 at Community Childcare Supporter

I would recommend Máximo Nivel a million times over. The warm, engaging staff and volunteer/student community make you feel welcome from the moment you step in the door, and I met several lifelong friends. There are lots of opportunities to explore, including around the city and the country as a ...
Javier Jiménez rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

The project that I was in was the turtle conservation in Junquillal and it was for 3 months. I didn't know what to expect at all but I fell in love with the little town and the wonderful locals that were so loving and caring towards me. When we had to release the baby turtles into the wild I really ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > San José

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Contact Georgie
  Very high response rate
English, Spanish

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