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 and what Costa Rican culture is like. Additionally, I had lots of great opportunities to practice my Spanish and meet new people. These past 2 weeks have been 2 of the best weeks of my life and I know I will miss it very much. I have so much respect for the beautiful country of Costa Rica, and I can’t wait to visit again someday.
One of the most impactful visits for me was to Café Britt. Seeing how the company transformed coffee into a global brand expanded my understanding of agricultural marketing and value-added production. Instead of only selling raw coffee beans, Café Britt created an experience around its product through tours, tastings, and branding. I learned how important quality control and storytelling are in agriculture because customers are not only buying coffee but also buying into the culture and identity behind it. This visit helped me realize that successful agricultural businesses must focus on both production and customer experience to compete internationally.
Another experience that changed my perspective was visiting Café Monteverde. During this visit, I saw how smaller agricultural businesses can survive by emphasizing sustainability and local connections. The farm demonstrated how coffee production can coexist with environmental conservation while remaining profitable. I found it interesting how they focused on protecting the land while also educating tourists about the coffee-making process. This showed me that agriculture can support ecotourism and create additional sources of revenue beyond simply selling crops. The visit also made me think about how businesses can build stronger relationships with consumers by being transparent about where their products come from.
The visit to The Best Pineapple Tour in the World gave me a deeper appreciation for large-scale agricultural operations and the logistics required to run them efficiently. Before the tour, I never realized how much planning, labor, and technology go into pineapple farming. I learned about planting schedules, export standards, pest management, and the process of shipping pineapples worldwide while maintaining quality. What stood out most was how agriculture in Costa Rica is heavily connected to international trade. This experience helped me understand how global business depends on efficient agricultural systems and how important innovation is for maintaining productivity and sustainability.
Another memorable experience was visiting Tour de Fresas. This visit showed a different side of agriculture by focusing on smaller-scale farming and direct interaction with consumers. The strawberry farm created an experience where visitors could learn about production while also enjoying fresh products made directly from the farm’s crops. I noticed how businesses like this create value by combining agriculture with tourism and hospitality. Instead of relying only on crop sales, they increase profits by offering experiences and specialty products. This helped me understand how diversification can make agricultural businesses more successful and resilient.
Throughout the trip, one major theme I noticed was how Costa Rica consistently balances agriculture with sustainability. Whether it was coffee farming, strawberry production, or pineapple exports, businesses emphasized protecting natural resources while still generating profit. Coming from the United States, I often think of agriculture as focused mainly on efficiency and large-scale production. In Costa Rica, I saw how businesses can also prioritize conservation and environmental responsibility without sacrificing success. This changed my understanding of what agriculture can look like in the future and showed me that sustainability can strengthen a company’s brand and long-term growth.
Overall, this experience in Costa Rica will have a lasting impact on me. I have learned so much in the classroom at Pitt but being able to have hands on experiences were so much fun. I got close with my group, and I know they’ll be my close friends for years to come. I am so grateful for Katie and Ryan for giving me the opportunity to explore Costa Rica and have an unforgettable experience. The people of Costa Rica were so kind and welcoming, and I can’t wait to visit again.