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student on plane

Costa Rica Externship Logistics
July 9-22, 2023

This unique hands-on Conservet veterinary externship is open to students and professionals in veterinary medicine, public health, biology, ecology and other disciplines who wish to explore conservation and medicine in the context of One Health. Students must be eligible for international flight and be prepared for challenging conditions while working at a mentally and physically demanding pace.

Externship Application

Workshop enrollment is strictly limited to not more than 10 students to better assure active student participation and personal attention during the course.

Applications can be made on-line on the
Conservet Application page.

After receiving your on-line application, we will be in touch regarding the next steps in completing your application.

completing application on computer
writing resume on computer

The Next Steps

Costa Rica externship applicants will receive an email requesting a

  • brief resume
  • short statement of interest explaining how the course might be helpful in your career development.

Completed applications can be submitted at any time, but the earlier the better since enrollment is capped.

A phone or Skype call is recommended for anyone wanting more details on course content or logistics.

Completed applications submitted after the enrollment cap has been reached will be held as alternates to replace any enrolled in the course who must cancel.

Unexpected Events

While veterinary school schedules are generally very structured and predictable, a Conservet externship, as a field course, can be impacted by weather events or logistical considerations at the hosting facilities, resulting in schedule rearrangements as needed.

Students must be resilient and adaptable to schedule changes that can occur under field conditions. Students should be prepared to work under rainy weather conditions.

rain falling on plants
jet in clouds

Travel Arrangements

Workshop participants must be comfortable with international travel and are responsible for arranging their travel to San Jose where the workshop will begin.

All workshop activities, including lodging and meals, will be arranged and provided by Conservet after arrival in San Jose.

All students are required to purchase travel insurance for their trip that includes medical coverage.

Course coordinators can suggest possible vendors offering student insurance packages; these may be available through your university.

Mental and Physical Demanding Pace

The pace of the workshop can be both mentally and physically demanding.

Days are full, and students should be conditionally fit for hiking in hilly terrain up to 3 miles with a light backpack.

Some workshop field research activities will be more challenging than others, and these will only be conducted on a voluntary basis.

hiking in the rainforest


We would be happy to schedule a phone or Skype call with you if you would like more information about the One Health externship activities before submitting your application. Simply send an email to info@conservet.org.



Costa Rica scenery with volcano in background

Explore the connection between animal, human and ecologic health in Costa Rica.



Complete the online application if you are interested in attending a Conservet summer externship in 2023.
Once we receive your application, we will contact you to provide you with more information.



Conservet letters with opossum humans forest bee flower

Conservation Veterinary Medicine
Animal, Human and Environmental Health Connection