About the Organization

The Centro de Amigos Cuaqueros para la Paz (CAP) in San Jose, Costa Rica, is part of the international Quaker community working to promote peace and social justice locally and globally. Our organization, founded in 1983 by Costa Rican and U.S. citizens, promotes mutual understandings in favor of peace, social justice and collaboration between peoples using non-violent conflict resolution methods.

To achieve these goals, we conduct workshops, collaborate with community organizations, provide meeting space where people organize, publish and circulate informational bulletins, and offer a lending library of books related to peace, non-violent resistance and activism. Issues include demilitarization, awareness of the consequences of the war in Iraq, immigrant rights, ecological concerns, economic development and international trade policies, and urban renewal with youth involvement.

In 1990, the North American Quakers and peace activists, Betty and Henry Ridgway, donated a guest house to our organization that we operate as a bed and breakfast affiliated with the Peace Center. Casa Ridgway, our bed and breakfast, provides the primary source of income for all Peace Center programs.

With the support of a very small permanent staff, the Center's committees address the following program areas:

I. Political Action (Incidencia en Politica):

• Campaign against the use of depleted uranium by the U.S. and British Governments in Iraq

• Involvement in the School of the Americas Watch (SOAW)

II. Working with the Immigrant Population (Acompanamiento a la Poblacion Migrante):

• Provide safe meeting space for young Nicaraguan immigrants to prepare for full participation in the workforce

• Offer skills-training workshops for young Nicaraguan immigrants

• Offer cultural workshops including: theatre, literature and mural painting

III. Art for Peace Project (Artes para la Paz)

• Promoting peace through Art projects

• Neighborhood revitalization project in collaboration with San Jose municipality including projects such as recycling or the creation of bike paths and sidewalks

IV. Institutional Strengthening (Fortalecimiento Institucional):

• Casa Ridgway is a hostel which supports CAP financially

• Promotion and sales of Casa Ridgway

• Employee relations

• Relations with the Quaker Meetings

• The Pacifict's Gallery: Research, design and display images and information about international peace activists throughout Casa Ridgway

V: Erna Castro Training Center (el Centro de Capacitacion Erna Castro):

• Promote peace through conflict resolution training and human right's training

• Workshops aimed at women's rights, indigenous rights, Nicaraguan immigrants, and other marginalized communities

Job Description

Interns will be considered part of the small permanent CAP team and will be called upon to work on a variety of priority assignments and tasks, some substantive, some operational, and some clerical. Thus, interns need to be flexible and willing to cooperate when and where needed. Upon arrival, interns will develop a specific workplan with the Executive Director which will be reveiwed and updated as needed monthly. Typically, interns will choose one of the projects outlined above as their primary project.

The Peace Center: Depending on individual intern interests and the programmatic needs of the Center, interns may conduct research and develop content in support of committee's informational and analytical needs, work on proposals, assist with publications preparation, help prepare and organize trainings, workshops and other events in the Center's areas of concern-- conflict resolution, human rights, immigrant rights, women's rights or arms control. Interns are expected to attend meetings, take notes, help convene meetings (phone calls, e-mails) and do follow-up. Interns also gather data and documents, download documents from the internet, help organize the information gathered and adapt it for special purposes, and file. They do other computer tasks, as able, such as data entry, update membership files and data bases, and the web site. Interns may also help organize and catalogue the books in the library, and assist with other administrative tasks (errands, photocopying, etc.). After some time, interns may be involved in event promotion and planning, giving presentations about CAP, the creation of fliers and brochures using desktop publishing software, etc.

Casa Ridgway: Depending on skills, an intern may also perform in one or more of the following capacities.

Guest Services: update tourist information; develop a suggestion box/evaluation sheet or feedback system to improve the services offered. Develop a comparative evaluation of the guesthouse regarding services, prices, location and accommodations.

Promotion: develop a draft or initial ideas for a promotional plan, target groups with specific promotional strategies, visit target entities, reprint and/or improve brochures.

Reception: make reservations, confirmations (fax, phone or e-mail), receive payments and issue receipts, fill out control forms, manage petty cash, fill in for other staff during night and weekend hours, help with routine administrative duties.

Interns will be part of the small full-time team operating the Center and Casa Ridgway and be supervised directly by the Coordinator of the Center.

# of Positions per term

1

Start Dates

Beginning of any academic term

Duration of Internship

10-12 Weeks, more preferred

Academic Background

Peace and Justice Studies, International Studies, Latin American Studies, Tourism & Hospitality

Skills/Experience

Committed to peace and social justice. Computer skills. Web page design skills a plus. Creative and self-motivated. Flexible.

Language Ability

Intermediate-advanced Spanish skills.

Other Requirements

Willingness to work with the regular staff as well as with guests.

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.
ALL ESTIMATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

IE₃ Program Fee

For spring term 2012, the program fee for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. The expected program fee beginning summer term 2012 is $3450 for the first term. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$800-900
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$330
Food	$50
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

A homestay (room and board) can be arranged for approximately $330 per month, including two meals per day. Students should budget an additional $200 per month for meals out, local transportation and personal expenses. Students should budget additional funds for weekend travel around Costa Rica.

Friends Peace Center (English)

Friends Peace Center (Spanish)

Read Former Intern Reports:

Samantha

Jeremy

Christine

San Jose Information

San Jose Tourist Information

Field Notes Postings:

Costa Rica: Site visit by Latin America Regional Director, Monya Lemery (August 5th, 2009)