Journalism Internships in Costa Rica

Journalism Internships in Costa Rica

Volunteers joining the Journalism project in Costa Rica can choose between a print journalism placement at a tourism magazine and a broadcast journalism placement at a television station.

The print journalism placement is based at the tourist board for Guanacaste, the region where Projects Abroad is based. For this placement you do not need any previous journalism experience and having just a basic level of Spanish is acceptable. Of course, the more Spanish you do speak, the easier it will be to work closely with the local people.

The broadcast journalism project is based at Canal 36 television station. Volunteers joining this professional project must have excellent written and spoken Spanish and at least one year of relevant journalism experience. We will ask you to submit your CV when you apply and we may get in touch to check your Spanish skills.

Please let us know which Journalism placement you want to join when you apply.

On both of our Journalism placements in Costa Rica you will get not only an insider's view of how a television station or magazine is run, but also the chance to get involved in a wide variety of work. Your CV will be greatly enhanced by the practical skills that you gain during your Journalism placement and your experience of living and working in a different country will act as proof of your courage and adaptability.

Print Journalism Placement in Costa Rica

Volunteers work with the tourist board for Guanacaste on their magazine which is given out in every hotel in the area. The magazine is written in English and is aimed primarily at tourists from North America and Europe who are coming in increasing numbers to this beautiful part of Central America.

Volunteers are involved with all aspects of putting together the magazine as well as producing flyers. Help is also needed writing for and maintaining the tourist board’s website. The magazine is a mix of adverts and articles.

You will be working alongside the local Costa Rican staff and will spend part of your time visiting hotels and tour companies interviewing staff and visitors. You will be able to research and write articles in areas that interest you, and help with proof reading copy from other contributors.

Volunteers with any photography skills could also get involved in taking photos for the website and magazine.

The tourist board is based about 40 minutes away from Liberia. Working hours are normal office hours from Monday to Friday.

Broadcast Journalism Placement in Costa Rica

Our Journalism placements are based at Canal 36 Community Television station in Liberia. You will be given a real opportunity to get involved, but the more enthusiasm and effort you put into the project the more you will get out of it. You will start off shadowing local journalists who will show you how things work while passing on their knowledge, expertise and contacts.

The station was established in 1996 with the aim to spread and support cultural and moral values in the community and specifically to focus on the culture of Guanacaste, the local region. The station adopted a Christian viewpoint in its programmes in 2001, however, volunteers of all faiths are welcome, and the station respects all beliefs. The objectives of the station are to educate, inform, entertain and reinforce the culture of Guanacaste. Programmes broadcast include movies, music, sports, culture and news.

Volunteers will regularly help to compile the daily lunchtime and evening news bulletins. This may involve translating and writing news items taken from international cable news channels, helping with scripts, editing and even presenting.

If you can demonstrate enthusiasm and creativity, you will also be offered plenty of opportunities to get involved in different programmes and projects, including sports, culture and music shows. Please let the local staff know if you have any specific areas of interest or experience.

You may also be in demand to help local staff improve their English and if you are happy to devote a little time each week to some informal lessons it will be much appreciated.

All volunteers on Teaching, Care, Sports, Journalism or Spanish placements in Costa Rica have the opportunity to add a 7-Day Conservation Project to the end of their main placement. For more information visit our 7-Day Costa Rica Conservation Project page.