Over the last 2 weeks in Costa Rica I have completely changed the way I think about businesses. Before, I mostly viewed businesses through profitability and being the overall “best”/most popular. However, after visiting so many different organizations and farms, I realized that successful businesses can also prioritize environmental protection and community development. My project…
Tag: Lila Kesack
Protecting Nature for the Future
Today we visited the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Monteverde Institute. I learned how hard it can be to balance protecting the environment while also supporting tourism and the economy. While walking the Sendero Corazón del Bosque trail, I noticed that some areas were closed off or had limited access. Monteverde is one of…
Blown Away by Sustainability
During our stop at the wind turbines, I learned how much Costa Rica depends on renewable energy. There were many giant windmills spread across the mountains and the land, making it easier to understand how seriously Costa Rica takes environmental protection. Unlike many countries that still rely heavily on fossil fuels, Costa Rica generates almost…
Saving Nature Through Tourism
Today we learned about Arenal Mundo Aventura and how the company combines adventure tourism with conservation. The presenter explained that most of their visitors come from the United States and Canada, but they are also trying to attract more tourists from Europe. Since La Fortuna is one of the most visited places in Costa Rica,…
Caught in the Downpour
Today really showed how unpredictable Costa Rica’s climate can be. At Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, we got to see some really cool things like spider monkeys, leafcutter ants, and rare birds while walking through the rainforest. The rain made the entire forest feel greener and more alive, but I also feel like it made…
Pineapple Perfection!
Today, we said goodbye to our host families and made our way to La Fortuna. The main stop along the way was The Best Pineapple Tour. Even though I am allergic to pineapple and could not actually eat any, I still learned a lot from seeing how the farm operates and how much work goes…
More Than Just Chocolate
I really loved our visit to Sibö Chocolate. Our presenter showed us how a business can focus on more than just profit. He was extremely passionate and knowledgeable, which made the experience much more interesting because you could tell how much he cared about his work and about Costa Rica. Sibö was founded because the…
Brewing Up Business
I really enjoyed our visit to Café Britt today. The tour guide was funny and interactive the entire time, making the experience enjoyable. We learned a lot about the coffee process, from bean to cup, and about how important coffee is to Costa Rica. Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when goats supposedly ate coffee…
From Technology to Dairy
Today we visited Kyndryl and Dos Pinos, which are two very different types of businesses. Kyndryl is a large IT company based in New York that primarily works with banks, airlines, and many other companies worldwide. They chose Costa Rica because of the educated workforce and growing technology sector. I thought it was interesting how…
Warmth of Everyday Life in Costa Rica
There have been many things about the homestays that I did not expect. One of the first things that surprised me was the layout of the house. The front door and garage are basically the same entrance, and the back door to the patio is constantly open all day. I also learned that homes here…
Strawberry Farm!
After visiting the strawberry farm today, I felt like it was a strong example of a sustainable relationship between people, land, and commerce. We learned that strawberries in Costa Rica can grow year round because of the climate and the use of micro greenhouses. They help protect the plants while still allowing them to use…
Yayyy Costa Rica!!
Costa Rica’s focus on sustainability makes me think of the country in a really productive and efficient way. It stands out to me because they actually act on it in real life, as it is something that is built into how the country works. I read that Costa Rica has been able to run on…