Hey everyone! My name is Ben Ruggles, and I’m so excited for this Costa Rica trip! I am a freshmen engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. I am currently entering the environmental engineering track. I also have many interests in adjacent fields for which I might pursue minors or certificates, such as civil engineering, architecture, and sustainability. I am ready to see where the rest of my time here at Pitt leads me!

I live an hour northeast of Pittsburgh, though the small town feels like a world away! Outside of classes, I love to interact with nature. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, swimming, and going on walks. I also regularly read, play music, and catch up on the latest shows and movies. Here at college, I love to hang out with my friends, find new things to do, and exercise. One of my favorite things to do is to travel which has given me opportunities to go to Puerto Rico and Spain. Those trips combined with my upbringing in Mexico City, Mexico, are providing my adequate Spanish skills for this trip.

In a couple of weeks, I get to go to Costa Rica to learn about the coffee and banana industries. I chose this program due to my desire to learn more about the often looked-over business and engineering practices behind some of our most sought after products. I look forward to gaining valuable professional skills, and learning more about these practices. On a personal side, I am interested in Latin culture and I am excited to learn as much about the culture, people, and foods of Costa Rica as possible. I cannot wait to try all the tropical fruits they have!