This trip has been great and incredibly informative. I want to open up my own coffee shop one day, so I went to Costa Rican hoping to learn about how coffee is farmed and how companies make the production process as sustainable as posible. I do not want to roast my own coffee, but I…
Day 11: Dam Good Deltawerken
Today was entirely dedicated to learning about to complex Deltaworks, or Deltawerken system, protecting the southwestern region of the Netherlands from flooding. After we arrived to the mueseum and had some very delicious cinnamon rolls, we were taken through a short film and tour explaining how the Deltaworks were built. After the catastrophic flood that…
More Than a Motto: Pura Vida
Coming into this trip, I thought sustainability mostly meant things like recycling and renewable energy. After spending time in Costa Rica though, I realized sustainability is way more connected to business, tourism, agriculture, culture, and everyday life than I originally thought. My project theme focused on multinational corporations and sustainability, and throughout the trip I…
Adiós Costa Rica
I cannot believe that this trip is already coming to an end. Sitting in this airport right now feels impossible, as it feel like yesterday we were standing in the hour long immigration line and meeting Pino for the first time. Over the past two weeks, I have learned so much about sustainability, business, Costa…
May 22
Before this trip to Costa Rica, I viewed sustainability mostly as an environmental problem that was more towards on protecting forests, minimizing pollution, and using and producing renewable energy. But, learning and going to these other countries Kyndryl, Café Britt, Café Monteverde, and Sibö Chocolate, I realized sustainability is much more connected to business strategy than…
Saying Goodbye to Beautiful Costa Rica!
As I am sitting in the airport and reflecting on my trip, I can’t help but be sad. Looking back at the past two weeks I realized how much fun I had and how much I learned. Before arriving here, I viewed sustainability as a corporate buzzword. Watching Costa Rican entrepreneurs treat the rainforest not…
May 22 – One Last Pura Vida
Throughout this trip, my understanding of sustainability and agriculture expanded far beyond what I previously associated with those topics. Before coming to Costa Rica, I often thought about sustainability mostly in terms of environmental protection or marketing, but this experience showed me how deeply it can become integrated into a company’s culture, values, and long-term…
Final Costa Rica Blog Post – 05/22
The plus3 Costa Rica trip is coming to an end and my understanding of renewable energy and green infrastructure has changed a lot. Before this trip, I mostly thought about sustainability in a simple way: solar panels, wind turbines, recycling, and trying to be environmentally friendly. After seeing Costa Rica in person, I realized that…
Hasta Luego Costa Rica
These past 2 weeks I was given the opportunity to visit beautiful farms, unique factories, and beautiful sites. I was never quite sure if going abroad was for me and how’d I do in another country for 2 weeks, but this experience has given me so many benefits. I have learned so much about how businesses operate…
May 22nd- Pura Vida :(
As I sit down to write my last blog post from Costa Rica, I find myself genuinely struggling to put into words just how much this trip has meant to me. From the moment I arrived in Heredia, my host family made me feel completely at home. They were warm, patient, and endlessly generous, feeding…
The Business of Pura Vida
As I write my final blog post from Costa Rica, I am very sad that this experience is coming to an end because I truly do not want to leave. Over the past two weeks, this trip has given me such a wide variety of experiences that made it both educational and unforgettable. We were…
Day 11: Sky Farm and Water Museum
We started our day with a walking tour focused on sustainable water practices in Rotterdam. Something we saw that stood out to me was that in one area that had mostly concrete, there were several basins that water would flow into. Then, it would be drained and stored in rain barrels, thus preventing flooding. Afterwards,…
Taking Pura Vida Home
Over the last 2 weeks in Costa Rica I have completely changed the way I think about businesses. Before, I mostly viewed businesses through profitability and being the overall “best”/most popular. However, after visiting so many different organizations and farms, I realized that successful businesses can also prioritize environmental protection and community development. My project…
Goodbye Costa Rica!
Coming into this trip, I did not really know what to expect from Costa Rica beyond the fact that it was going to be warm and that it was going to rain a lot. Leaving it, I have a completely different understanding of what it actually means to build a business around something bigger than…
Day 10: Let’s Seal the Delta Works!
Today, we woke up somewhat early to go visit the Deltapark Neeltje Jans. It was essentially like a museum and mini amusement park combined, and it educated us on the Deltaworks as well as the North Sea Flood of 1953. This storm had catastrophic effects on people living near coastal areas of the Netherlands. Over…
See ya, CR!
Over the course of our trip to Costa Rica, my understanding of renewable energy and green infrastructure has expanded far beyond what I could have learned in a classroom. As a finance and business analytics major with a minor in economics, I came into this experience thinking mostly about the financial side of sustainability-costs, investments,…
May 22nd: Ciao Costa Rica!
Our time in Costa Rica has come to an end. While I’m sad to be finishing this trip, I’m also incredibly grateful for the time we have spent here. Our various excursion provides me with an up close learning experience that deepened my understanding of renewable energy and green infrastructure. Before this trip, my understanding…
Wrapping It All Up
Leaving Costa Rica, I have gained so much knowledge and experiences on this trip that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn about or see firsthand back in the States. Costa Rica has built an economy around a set of values that embody their country through community, sustainability, and care for their people which…
Last Day of an Amazing Adventure
As I wrap up my time in Costa Rica, I realize this trip has been more than just a study abroad experience; it has been a turning point in how I see business, sustainability, and leadership. My project theme focused on how companies balance profitability with responsibility, and throughout these visits, I’ve seen that balance…
Last Day: Adios Argentina!
This trip has gone by so quickly, and I am so sad to be leaving the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. It feels like just yesterday that we arrived, excited and unsure of what to expect. On our last day, we had the opportunity to listen to everyone’s final presentations. It was fascinating to see…