On behalf of all of our students and staff, we thank you very much for choosing the Cloud Forest School/Centro de Educacion Creativa. Those before you have worked hard to build this school and you will be part of a global family devoted to the CFS/CEC and its students. We pledge to do our best to ensure that your stay with us is a rewarding, educational, and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions during the application process and pre-departure arrangements.

Includes: Homestay placement with CEC family (private room, 3 meals/day, laundry once per week), Spanish classes twice per week (1 hour sessions) on campus at the CEC during internship, 1 excursion in the Monteverde zone, professional development workshops, school t-shirt, transportation to/from school daily, orientation, project supervision, support, and farewell reunion. Depending on university partnership, the program might also offer: ground transportation to/from airport, one month of intensive Spanish instruction at a local language institute and an extended weekend trip to Nicaragua to renew tourist visa.

You will be notified of acceptance within two weeks of the receipt of your completed application.  Upon acceptance, we will begin planning your living and travel arrangements and responsibilities.

TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND:

• Internship Application
• Resume
• Letter of Intent (1 page)
• Letters (2) of Recommendation
• Copy of front page of passport
• Academic Plan
• College transcript
• Registration Fee ($75.00)*

*These fees are payable by cheque, credit card or wire transfer.  Please make cheques payable to: Asociación Centro de Educación Creativa, and mail to: Centro de Educación Creativa; Apdo 23-5655; Monteverde, Puntarenas; COSTA RICA. Please ask Program Coordinator for details on long-distance credit card authorizations and wire transfers.

Please note:

THE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM IS FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO WISH TO COMPLETE AN INTERNSHIP FOR COLLEGE CREDIT AND HAVE THE ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THEIR HOME INSTITUTION.

Name *

Date of birth *

Gender *

Male

Female

Email *

Passport number *

University and graduating year *

Major(s)/Minor(s) *

Current GPA *

Permanent address *

School address *

Emergency contact information (please include name, phone number and email address). *

How did you learn about the Cloud Forest School? *

Internship Specifications and Academic Plan

When do you want to study abroad as a classroom intern? *

Spring 2013 (January-June 2013)

Fall 2013 (August-December 2013)

Spring 2014 (January-June 2014)

Fall 2014 (August-December 2014)

Please list your top three choices for classroom placement in order of preference. *

Do you have any skills or qualifications that you would like to share while working at the CFS (i.e., art, computing, yoga, drama, math, music, martial arts, etc)? *

Please attach your academic program plan for the semester on a separate sheet. Include the credits you will earn and the capacity in which you expect to earn them. *

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Please obtain the signature of your academic advisor and register and include them on this document under the agreements: I, as a representative of my Academic Department, agree that the Participant’s proposed plan of study has been discussed and approved and that the Participant will receive academic credit for his or her efforts in the Study Abroad Internship. I, as a representative of the Applicant’s University Registrar or Dean of Studies Office, agree that the Participant’s proposed plan of study has been discussed and approved and that the Participant will receive academic credit for his or her efforts in the Study Abroad Internship. Your academic advisor and register must sign and date this document.

Do you plan to complete an independent study or research project during your internship? If yes, please describe the project and any extra help or resources you will need on an additional document.

Plan of Study Agreement

I, the program Participant, agree that this is my proposed plan of study and that it has been approved by my university and Academic Advisor. I promise to complete this plan of study under the supervision of the Centro de Educacion Creativa Program Coordinator and my cooperating teacher. I agree to share the results of my work with them upon completion of my internship.

Signature and Date *

Background Information and Skills

Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain. *

Do you have a conduct/disciplinary record at your institution? *

Do you have any objections to the Cloud Forest School performing a background check? *

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE (please briefly describe your volunteer history) *

HOBBIES & INTERESTS *

Have you ever lived in a country or culture different from your own? Have you traveled to Latin America or Costa Rica? Please briefly describe your travel experience. *

Level of Spanish Fluency *

None

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Fluent

Please indicate if you speak other languages and your level of fluency in those languages. *

Health

THE CFS IS LOCATED ON THE TOP OF A STEEP HILL IN A RURAL, MOUNTAINOUS COMMUNITY. IN ORDER TO LIVE AND WORK IN MONTEVERDE, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO WALK FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME (IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO WALK 30 MINUTES TO WORK, TO THE STORE, ETC.) ON ROCKY, BUMPY ROADS AND OCCASIONALLY DURING SEVERE WEATHER. TAXIS ARE AVAILABLE, BUT THE COST CAN QUICKLY ADD UP. ADDITIONALLY, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC IN TOWN WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO TREAT COMMON ILLNESSES AND INJURIES, MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITIES ARE A 3 1/2 HOUR DRIVE FROM MONTEVERDE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BE IN GOOD HEALTH TO APPLY FOR THIS INTERNSHIP.

Please describe your overall mental and physical health. *

Excellent

Good

Fair/Poor

Do you have any health problems or allergies? Do you take any prescription medications? If yes, please explain. *

Please give the company name, policy name, and policy number(s) of the insurance company that will be providing your health and accident coverage while at the CFS. *

Study Abroad Internship Fee Policy

The Centro de Educación Creativa is a not-for-profit, local private school in rural Costa Rica. Both the school and the community at large have very limited funds and resources. The average annual household wage of families with children in the school is US$5,500; over half of our students are on scholarship. Teachers and staff at the CEC earn subsistence wages. Many organizations charge interns several thousand dollars to cover the costs associated with arranging an intern placement. We at the CEC do not want anyone to be deterred from an Internship here because of economic obstacles. However, in recognition of the financial difficulties of running a school in Costa Rica, and in order to cover room, board, professional development, and administrative costs, we do require fees to be paid in advance. These fees reflect the costs of registration, application review, placement, orientation, supervision and evaluation, local phone calls, homestay placement, and internet access. These services require the full-time efforts of one paid staff member. We encourage you to fundraise your intern fee in your own community, thereby lightening the financial burden on yourself while simultaneously educating others about your internship and the CEC. On behalf of all of our students and staff, we thank you very much for choosing the CEC. We pledge to do our best to ensure that your stay with us be a rewarding, educational and fulfilling experience. Those before you have worked hard to build this school and you will be part of a global family devoted to this school and these children.

Loss or Injury

The Centro de Educación Creativa is not liable for any loss, illness, or injury sustained while an intern is in the Monteverde area. All interns must demonstrate proof of personal health and accident insurance coverage prior to their arrival in Costa Rica.

Application Fee

I have enclosed my $75.00 application fee, (payable with a long-term credit card authorization, via check or international transfer). I understand that all fees are non-refundable. I have read and understand this application and would like to intern at the CEC. I understand that unless otherwise specified, intern positions at the CEC are full-time. I agree to be at the school every weekday unless otherwise approved by my immediate supervisor.

Study Abroad Internship Agreement

I have read and understand this application and would like to study abroad for credit at the Centro de Educacion Creativa. I have academic and financial support from my home institution, and I have organized an academic program for credit with my Academic Advisor. I understand that unless otherwise specified, all internship positions at the CEC are full-time. I agree to be at the school every weekday unless otherwise approved by my immediate supervisor.

Upload your first letter of recommendation. *

Upload your second letter of recommendation. *

Upload a letter of intent. *

Upload your resume. *

Upload the first page of your passport. *

Signature and Date *