Leaving Costa Rica, I have gained so much knowledge and experiences on this trip that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn about or see firsthand back in the States. Costa Rica has built an economy around a set of values that embody their country through community, sustainability, and care for their people which…
Tag: Joelle Shen
Learning to Leave It Better
Across the wide varieties of companies we have visited during our time in Costa Rica, we have heard over and over again how they value sustainability. We have seen it through how they operate at the farms through avoiding pesticides and using natural resources to ward off pests. We have seen how Arenal only uses…
1% Fossil Fuels and 100% Humid
Costa Rica has been setting the standard for renewable energy since the 1970s, and after today’s visit to the wind turbines near the continental divide, it is easy to see why this country takes so much pride in its energy infrastructure. The country currently generates around 13,000 kilowatts of energy through renewable sources, with roughly…
Soaking It In (Literally)
With Costa Rica holding 6% of the world’s biodiversity, they carry a significant responsibility to care for it. As a developing country without oil reserves or an abundance of raw materials to lean on economically, they have had to look at what else they have to offer. That answer was ecotourism, turning their natural environment…
Pura Vida and Probably Wet
Today we had the opportunity to walk through the canopy forest and do a walking tour of a sugarcane plantation, which was a blast. Although it did rain, I think that it added to the experience in a unique way. Due to our pre-departure meetings, I was prepared for the rain that would occur on…
From Harvest to Hospitality
I think that tourism tends to be glamorous and the picture-perfect version of Costa Rica that everyone wants to see. Historically, farming tends to be viewed as a lower-level job. Even though for Costa Ricans who own farms and have Nicaraguan immigrants working in the fields, it is not viewed socially as a high-paying job….
Triple Bottom Line, Triple the Snacks
Today was one of those days that sounds random on paper but ends up making complete sense by the end. We visited Sibö Chocolate, had lunch at Riverside Gastropub, and sat in on a lecture about Costa Rica’s medical device industry. Three completely different businesses, but each one is asking the same question: what does…
Let’s Be Brew-tally Honest Here
Walking through the beautiful site of Cafe Britt with our passionate tour guide Appa was an incredibly insightful and enjoyable experience into seeing the process from bean to cup. At this point in the trip, we know that Costa Rica values being green and upholding community in its country. While the country does a great…
Moo-ving Beyond Shareholders
Costa Rica centers itself on community and sustainability, and Los Pinos exemplifies this better than most. The dairy cooperative, one of the largest in the country, follows a model that involves small farmers sharing resources and decision-making power in the production of their products. Starting with only 25 farmers and a focus on high-quality feed…
Fluent in Pointing
I didn’t know what to expect when coming to Costa Rica to stay with a host family. Was my host family going to speak English? Was I going to like the food? Would they like me? All these questions were running through my head, but I had no need to worry because my host family…
The Sweetest Thing in the Volcano
I thought I knew good strawberries until I came to Costa Rica. While the country is known for its coffee, pineapple, and tourist spots, the strawberries cultivated in its volcanic regions are like no other. It was only today that I learned the strawberry is a flower, and its journey from farm to table is…