Hello! My name is Dylan Tenn and I just finished my first year at the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration. I plan on majoring in Finance and Accounting. I’m involved in Real Estate Club and Undergraduate Finance Club. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, playing soccer, spending time with friends, and exploring Pittsburgh.

I find Costa Rica’s initiatives and focus on sustainability to be both positive and inspiring for myself and to other countries. I find it interesting how a small, lesser developed nation finds itself in the top 20 ranking of the World Energy Council’s global “environmental sustainability” and think that it is important that many countries should try to follow suit in their initiative towards sustainability. Costa Rica has numerous initiatives such as their work towards reforestation and reversing the decades of deforestation that took place in the first half of the 20th century. This is done through protecting areas like national parks and reserves. Another example is that Costa Rica generates almost all of their electricity from renewable sources, primarily from hydroelectric power which is a source that uses moving water to generate electricity. Lastly, the country promotes sustainable tourism through initiatives like their Certification for Sustainable Tourism program. The production of coffee, which is a big part of Costa Rica’s economy also contributes towards sustainability by addressing climate change through reducing carbon emissions and producing deforestation-free coffee.

I’ve always wanted to visit Costa Rica ever since I was a child because my dad’s friend who lived in Costa Rica would frequently stay at our house and tell us stories and things that he would encounter in Costa Rica. The Plus3 Program also enticed me when I visited Pitt before I committed to the school as I’ve always thought about studying abroad. I am very excited to explore what Costa Rica has to offer and immerse myself in the culture. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the program and learn more about the region.