Community Outreach Intern, Costa Rica

Period of internship:            
This is a one-year commitment, including:

·       4 – 6 months full-time in Costa Rica
*Exact start and finish dates in Costa Rica are flexible – however, the intern must be able to arrive in Costa Rica by mid-April and stay until mid- to late- August.
            PLUS
·       6 – 8 months part-time (2 – 8 hours per week), “cyber-commute”
Start training January, 2012.  End of internship December 31, 2012

Minimum qualifications:           

• At least 1 year of university study in a bachelor’s degree program with a major in Spanish, theatre, dance, music, education, or other related field
• Written and verbal proficiency in both Spanish and English
• Excellent communication skills (spoken & written)
• At least two years experience working with children/youth, including experience with elementary-school-aged children (5 – 12) and with teenagers.
• High level of flexibility, patience, initiative, personal responsibility, honesty, cultural sensitivity, compassion
• Significant experience in and ability to teach one or more performing arts disciplines
• Ability to work independently
• A sense of adventure
• Strong desire to experience a new culture, become part of a new community, and make a difference

Primary Responsibilities:

Before traveling to Costa Rica:

• Assist in planning for Musical Theatre Connections: Costa Rica 2012  program
• Plan curriculum for outreach classes in your area of expertise
• Through web & library research create or develop arts education resources to bring with you to Costa Rica
• Assist in promoting MTC Costa Rica 2012 to high school students in your local area

On-site in Costa Rica:

• Lay the groundwork for MTC Costa Rica 2012, which begins at the end of June.  Visit schools & recruit students.  Distribute information & publicize through a variety of media in the community.  Secure venue & rehearsal space.  Meet with school administrators, teachers, and other key community members.
• Organize, plan and teach weekly theatre/dance/music classes at a number of different local schools and/or community centers.
• Write regular blog postings about the program and your experiences in Costa Rica
• Attend cultural activities in town

After returning from Costa Rica:

• Assist in the evaluation & documentation of the MTC: Costa Rica 2012
• Assist with the planning & preparations for MTC: Costa Rica 2013
• Organize an outreach event or program in your home or university community

 
Housing:

The intern will be housed with a Costa Rican host family for a minimum of three months.  The home-stay cost is approximately $450 per month including room, board, and laundry.  After 3 months, the intern may choose to continue to live with his/her host family or to move to an apartment or house.


Funding:

This is an unpaid internship.

We are a small organization with a limited budget run by a volunteer staff.  So that we can maximize the resources available to provide program opportunities in the community, we ask our interns to cover their own costs (including housing & airfare) if at all possible.

However, as with all of our programs, we do not wish to turn away passionate and qualified individuals due to their families’ financial circumstances.  Please specify in your application whether you will be able to cover your own costs, or, if not, how much financial assistance you require.

 
University Credit:
  
While in Costa Rica, it is possible to obtain college credit for Spanish language courses taken at CPI, a language school with a branch in Monteverde, the town where we work.
   
If your university may offer credit (possibly under education, performing arts, or general elective) for your internship work, we would be happy to assist with this process.


How to Apply

First, please visit our website and read about our organizations mission & philosophy and our Costa Rica program.
 
Then, please send your professional resume, theatre or dance resume (or one resume that includes all relevant information) and a letter of interest as attachments to director@farcornersmusicals.org