I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed my time here in Costa Rica. Before this trip, I mostly viewed sustainability as an environmental issue and traceability as a technical business process, but I only knew a surface level amount of information on both from the pre-departure meetings. After visiting farms, food production facilities, tourism sites, and local businesses, I can now say how intertwined these themes really are with each other economically, socially and responsibly. Throughout the trip, I saw how businesses in Costa Rica balance profitability with environmental responsibility while maintaining transparency throughout their supply chains, something rare where we are from.

One of the most impactful and educations experiences was visiting Dos Pinos, a farmer-owned dairy cooperative. Seeing the production process firsthand helped me understand how traceability systems operate on a large industrial scale. We observed all of the precautions they take and organized production lines designed to maintain food safety and consistency. I eventually learned that traceability is especially important in dairy production because products are highly perishable and contamination can spread quickly if products are monitored to the fullest extent. What stood out most to me was how Dos Pinos supports local dairy farmers while being a fierce competitor in its respective industry

Another experience that expanded my understanding of sustainability was learning about the ins and outs of Costa Rica’s agriculture. I saw how farms must balance production demands with environmental protection, especially in a country that depends heavily on agriculture and ecotourism. Such as at Sibo chocolate, where Julio told us how he will always pay more for better quality chocolate instead of mass-producing it. He also mentioned how he wants his competitors to have the same ethicality, like with the biodegradable packaging. This helped me realize that sustainability is not just about protecting nature but also about protecting industries, local jobs, and long-term economic stability.

Our visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve also had me thinking. Walking through one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world helped me better understand the relationship between conservation and tourism in this country. I noticed that visitor access was more restricted than I expected, but I learned these decisions are meant to reduce certain damages and keep authenticity. That showed me how sustainability often requires organizations to limit short-term profits in order to protect long-term environmental and economic stability.

Another important example was seeing how Costa Rica has built much of its international reputation around sustainability and environmental responsibility. Throughout the trip, I saw companies really market there sustainable practices, renewable energy usage, and environmental certifications. Sustainability in Costa Rica is not just treated as a social responsibility but also as a advantage they have over the world that attracts tourists, investors, and business partnerships. I also realized that businesses such as Dos Pinos face major challenges balancing sustainability with large-scale production demands, including high energy, transportation, refrigeration, and sanitation needs. I believe to remain competitive, future improvements in digital traceability systems, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable production methods will become increasingly important.

Overall, Costa Rica gave me a much deeper understanding of how agricultural sustainability and traceability operate in different business environments. Visiting Dos Pinos, learning about agricultural sustainability, exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and observing how businesses incorporate environmental responsibility into their operations all increase my understanding of our theme. As a Finance and Accounting major, this experience changed the way I think about business by showing me making the most money isn’t always everything, and having your community behind you can prove beneficial as well. Long-term success also depends on the themes of sustainability, transparency, and responsible leadership. The experiences from this trip will have a lasting impact on how I view business operations and decision-making in the future. I’ll end by saying if your thinking about doing Plus3 Costa Rica, stop thinking and give it a shot, it is more than worth it!