Costa Rica is one of the most sustainable countries in the world thanks to several different environmental sustainability practices that have been put in place to protect its natural environment. With nearly 93% of electricity being produced from renewable resources such as hydro, wind, and solar power, and nearly 30% of the country’s territory being protected natural land, Costa Rica is a global leader in its sustainability efforts. Tourism is the main engine behind Costa Rica’s economy, and with its many national parks and ecological tours, the country is a model in promoting sustainable tourism. By implementing practices such as banning single-use plastics, emphasizing sustainability education in schools, and by protecting their diverse ecosystem, Costa Ricans and tourists are able to enjoy the beauty of a natural environment while also being able to preserve it for the near future. 

Costa Rica even has more ambitious plans such as decarbonizing its economy by 2050. By preserving its natural resources such as forests and reversing the previous decades’ work of deforestation, along with decreasing the use of fossil fuels, the goal is to help prevent global warming and its destructive effects by setting an example that they hope will spread the message to other countries, especially those with bigger carbon footprints. The focus on sustainability makes Costa Rica seem impressive and more progressive than the United States in terms of addressing climate change and environmental issues. I am interested to see how Costa Rica’s sustainable environment and practices differ from what I am used to seeing in the US. 

I am really excited to go to Costa Rica for many reasons! I’m looking forward to the various site visits and trying the fresh fruits, chocolate, and coffee. It will be cool to see this from a supply chain perspective to see how these local farmers maintain their sustainable agricultural practices to get people around the world these products we all know and enjoy. Also, I have taken Spanish classes since fifth grade and am eager to practice my skills in a Spanish-speaking country for the first time. In my free time I love to play soccer and have been playing since I was four years old, so hopefully we get to play a little bit or watch one of the local games while we are there. In addition, I am excited to see the natural landmarks including the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Overall, exploring a new culture like Costa Rica’s will be very exciting and I can’t wait to experience it in just a few weeks!