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 Rican culture, and Costa Rican History through all of the experiences we had. Before coming on this trip, I mostly viewed sustainability as primarily a marketing strategy that companies used to improve their image. While I have learned this to be slightly still true, after visiting farms and throughout Costa Rica, I realized how deeply sustainability affects all parts of the operations within a business. From the way products are grown and sourced to how businesses interact with local communities, sustainability plays a much bigger role than I originally thought.
One experience that especially expanded my understanding of sustainability was our visit to Tour De Fresas strawberry farm. Unlike large industrial farms, this business focused more on smaller-scale production and protecting the land while still remaining profitable. During the tour, I noticed how carefully the workers managed the products and maintained the crops by having specific tourism rules and regulations. This visit helped me understand that sustainability often requires businesses to sacrifice some efficiency, or level of output, in order to protect their resources long term. It also showed me how smaller companies can use sustainability as part of their identity while still creating a successful business model.
Another experience that impacted me was visiting The Best Pineapple Tour. Compared to Tour De Fresas, this company operated on a much larger scale, which made it easier to see how difficult sustainability can become when companies are trying to meet global demand. I learned more about the environmental concerns connected to pineapple farming, especially issues involving pesticides, land use, and large-scale production. At the same time, the company discussed ways they are attempting to reduce waste and improve farming methods. Comparing these two farms helped me realize that there is no perfect way to approach sustainability because every business has different goals, resources, and challenges.
Our visit to Sibö Chocolate also changed the way I think about sustainable business practices. What stood out to me most was that sustainability was included in every part of the company rather than only being used for marketing purposes. The company focused on ethical sourcing, environmentally friendly packaging, and educating consumers about where their chocolate comes from. I was especially interested in how they built strong relationships with local cacao farmers while still creating a high-quality product for customers and tourists. This experience taught me how important transparency and traceability are becoming in modern supply chains because consumers care more about where products come from and how they are produced.
Another part of this trip that had a lasting impact on me was learning more about Costa Rican culture and history throughout our excursions and conversations. Before visiting Costa Rica, I knew very little about the country beyond its reputation for sustainability and tourism. Hearing about the country’s history, economic development, and focus on environmental protection helped me better understand why sustainability is such an important part of everyday life here. I also enjoyed seeing how proud people were of their culture and communities. Experiencing this firsthand made me realize how important it is for businesses to understand the cultures and communities they operate within instead of focusing only on profit.
Overall, this trip completely changed the way I think about sustainability in business and the role it plays in everyday operations. The experiences that impacted me most were seeing how companies balance profit with environmental responsibility, learning more about traceability in supply chains, and understanding how important local communities are to long-term success. Beyond the business lessons, I will also remember the people, culture, and experiences that made this trip so memorable. Whether it was touring farms, trying new foods, learning about Costa Rican history, or simply spending time with everyone on the trip, these are memories that I know will stay with me long after leaving Costa Rica. As I continue studying business and eventually begin my career, I hope to apply the lessons I learned here by supporting business practices that focus on both profitability and long-term sustainability instead of only short-term success.
