As I wrap up my time in Costa Rica, I realize this trip has been more than just a study abroad experience; it has been a turning point in how I see business, sustainability, and leadership. My project theme focused on how companies balance profitability with responsibility, and throughout these visits, I’ve seen that balance…
Author: kdr83f465cb6c9b
Day 10 – Monteverde: A Shared Responsibility
This morning, we didn’t get the classic Monteverde moment of seeing a quetzal, but we did find its nest tucked into the side of a mossy tree. That alone made the hike feel special. We also saw a few really bright birds darting through the branches and a group of white‑faced capuchins climbing around like…
Day 9 – Sustainable Futures
Today’s trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde showed us how important renewable energy is in Costa Rica. We stopped at a wind farm and later reflected on the hydroelectric dam on Lake Arenal, which we saw a few days ago from a distance. Our professor told us that when the dam broke a few years…
Day 8 – Amazing Arenal Adventures
Arenal Mundo Aventura (AMA) really stood out to me because it’s not just an adventure park; it’s a business built around protecting nature. The park was started in 2005 by four Costa Rican partners who wanted to show that tourism and conservation could work hand in hand. Of the 560 hectares of rainforest, only 10%…
Day 7 – Our Day Around Arenal
Today felt like stepping into an adventure story. We braved the rainforest canopy on hanging bridges as rain poured, and instead of slowing us down, it made the whole experience more exciting. The mist hung between the trees, the leaves glistened, and every step felt like we were explorers moving through a living, breathing jungle….
Day 6 – Tourism Vs. Tradition
We’ve been talking about how farmers in Costa Rica are starting to use ecotourism and agrotourism to earn extra income. It makes sense that younger people are more into tourism than farming. Tourism feels faster, more social, and usually pays off sooner. Farming, on the other hand, takes a lot of time, hard work, and…
Day 5 – Sustainability You Can Taste
Visiting Sibö Chocolate showed me what sustainability looks like when it’s lived out, not just talked about. Julio Fernández Amón, a historian-turned-chocolatier, built his company around the belief that business should support people, protect the environment, and honor culture. He pays his farmers well and provides steady, meaningful jobs, making Sibö a place where the…
Day 4 – Café Britt: Sharing Costa Rican Pride
Today’s visit to Café Britt showed how a company can truly lift up Costa Rican culture and economy. From the very beginning, Britt focused on quality over quantity, putting a lot of care into every step of the process. They undergo strict quality checks to ensure each bag of coffee meets their high standards. You…
Day 3 – Global Tech vs. Local Roots
Today, we got to see two different ways of doing business in Costa Rica. At Kyndryl, the setup felt like a modern tech hub. Their office is in a business park with neighbors like Amazon and Goodyear, and the place has everything: a soccer field, a food court, and a gym. Employees only come in…
Day 2 – Everyday Heredia
Today we got to take a walk around Heredia, spending the morning in the Mercado Central. The market was alive with color and sound, with fruits stacked in bright bunches, customers asking prices, and vendors going over to the neighboring shop to chat about their day. What stood out most was how work wasn’t rushed….
1 Day or Day 1 – Strawberry Farm Freshness
Our trip to the strawberry farm ended up being a great way to start the trip. From the moment we arrived, it was clear how intentionally the farmers work with the environment. They plant smaller fruit bushes around the edges of the fields so birds go for those instead of the strawberries. It’s a simple…
Getting Ready for Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s whole approach to sustainability honestly feels so genuine. The more I read, the more it seems like they’re not just saying the right things, they’re actually doing them. Clean energy, protecting forests, making sure huge crops like coffee, bananas, and pineapples are grown responsibly… It’s everywhere. Those three crops show up in almost…