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Trip | Volunteer in Costa Rica
Veterinary placement in Rehabilitation Center and Marine Park in Esparza, Costa Rica
Esparza, Costa Rica
Quick Facts
about this position
Working hours
none
Minimum age
from 18 years
Education
(soon to be) student in veterinary medicine
Language skills
Good Spanisch knowledge
About this position
Overview Veterinary placement in Rehabilitation Center and Marine Park in Esparza, Costa Rica
The main aim of the center is to rehabilitate injured and ill animals and release them into the wild after their recovery. Your veterinary experience will help you in taking care of injured seabirds, mammals and reptiles! By participating, you bring your knowledge to the local animal shelter and the rehabilitation center and improve the animal’s living conditions.
What to expect
Description Veterinary placement in Rehabilitation Center and Marine Park in Esparza, Costa Rica
Together with local professionals you take care of the animals in the animal shelter and the rehabilitation center – including former pets which are illegally kept and also injured ones, which are released into the wild after their recovery. There is a veterinarian in residence who will need your assistance. Your tasks will vary according to your skills and abilities. For minor operations there is a basic theater available.
Daily routine
Each day you work for maximum 6 hours (between 9am and 4pm) in the animal shelter and the rehabilitation center. Your schedule is very flexible – so there is enough time to immerse yourself in the project and get to know local employees closely.
Depending on local conditions, weather or unpredictable circumstances, your tasks may vary.
Requirements:
- Language skills: basic English, advanced Spanish
- Qualification: strong interest in animal science, preferably students of veterinary medicine
- No allergies (fish and seafood)
- Own initiative and commitment
- Ability to be a supportive team member
- Motivation to work physically and get your hands dirty
Itinerary of your stay abroad
Program Flow in Costa Rica
The project is available all year round – you can start every week!
Arrival
Volunteers are requested to arrive on Saturdays or Sundays at Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO). Between 10am and 10pm, our partner organization will provide a personal pick-up service at the airport and drop you to your accommodation safely. The ride takes approximately 1 - 1,5 hours, depending on the traffic. If you arrive on weekdays, the pickup must be either self-organized or extra paid. At the airport, currency can be changed and the driver helps you to get a cheap, local SIM card for your mobile phone.
Introduction day
After your arrival, there will be a detailed introduction providing information about Costa Rica, its culture and various Do’s and Don’ts.
Start your Project
You start participating on Monday after you got a short introduction into the project and your daily tasks. The way to work is short – your accommodation is not far away from your workplace. You simply walk, share a car with our local coordinators or use the public bus.
The weekend
The weekend is yours! Ask your local program coordinator in Costa Rica for excursions, activities, shopping tips or other must-sees in Esparza and its surroundings. You can plan amazing trips and make your time as diversified as possible.
Departure
Friday is always your last day in the project. You have time to check out until lunch on Saturday (12 o’clock), if you are not attending the next week. Please consult our partner organization and inform yourself about the possibilities to get a transfer to the airport. Airport drop is not included, but they will provide help with its organization.
Public Holidays in Costa Rica - 2018
On the listed holidays the programs in Costa Rica do not take place. During Esparza’s official school holidays, there will be great alternative programs in which you can participate. Feel free to ask!
- New Year’s Day (1st of January)
- Maundy Thursday (29th of March)
- Good Friday (30th of March)
- Labour Day (1st of May)
- Independence Day of Costa Rica (15th of September)
- Christmas Day (25th of December)
Ready to get started?
Veterinary placement in Rehabilitation Center and Marine Park in Esparza, Costa Rica
Flexible dates
min. 12 weeks
from 18 years
Good Spanisch knowledge
from
5740 EUR
Questions? We will help you!
Contact usYour accommodation
Accommodation during your Community Engagement in Costa Rica
Together with other participants you will stay in Esparza, one of the oldest cities of Costa Rica. Far away from touristic regions, it is located in the mountains above Rio Barranca, close to the central pacific coast. Just after a 20 minutes drive you are directly at the beach – time to go surfing or relax with your friends! Besides, you can do various canopy tours, visit the Marine Park and Marina, as well as the famous Carara National Park.
Furniture & Fittings
All volunteers live together in newly designed eco-houses in the center of Esparza. They consist of several shared rooms with bunk beds according to your gender (males and females are separated), the bathroom needs to be shared. For couples and small families there is an extra room equipped with a double bed.
In the common areas you can easily keep in touch with your family and friends at home – free WIFI is available. The volunteer accommodation also offers ping pong, TV and a tropical garden.
Meals
The meals, as well as drinking water, coffee and tea is provided. At the volunteer center there are three meals a day from Monday to Friday and two meals a day during the weekend. A small fridge is available to store drinks or additional food. The food is a good mix of Western dishes and the ones of Costa Rica – so you are able to stick to known food or experience something new! Vegetarian food is also provided.
Our Service
Service community engagement in Costa Rica
Services for your community engagement work abroad include the active support in the preparation of your entire stay abroad. The team of our partner organization in each country supports you, wherever you require it:
What's included:
- Placement in a community engagement project according to you demands
- Assisting visa application
- Information about cheap flights, travel insurances and other important travel documents
- Airport pick-up with direct transfer to your accommodation (only Saturday and Sunday)
- Accommodation during your whole volunteer work (in dormitories in the volunteer house)
- 3 meals during the weekdays
- 2 meals on Saturday and Sunday
- Tips and information about freetime activities
- Contact person during your stay abroad
- 24-hour emergency number
- Regular meetings with all volunteers or interns
- Certificate
What’s not included:
- Visa
- Flights
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Transfer to the airport after the end of your project work
Our local team
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Our local team
Your Local Contact Person in Costa Rica
A specific project coordinator is assigned to every single community engagement program and will help you with your project preparation as well as your daily tasks. If there is anything organizational wise, you need to sort out, our partner office is always reachable during office hours – Andy will be happy to help you!