To start, receiving this scholarship for my trip to Costa Rica not only helped me financially, but allowed to really engage myself in my studies while abroad (without having to worry about any financial aspects). Traveling somewhere new directly after my first year of college was an incredible opportunity, one in which I feel was…
Tag: Teresa Roth
One Last Time
I’m not crying, you’re crying. In all seriousness, my 2 weeks here in Costa Rica have been nothing short of amazing. Aside from learning something new about the Tico culture every day, I was able to study the management side of the coffee supply chain. My group and I focused on aspects like hierarchy, employment,…
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Coopedota is a cooperative located in the Tarrazú region of the country, consisting of 900 families that work together to pool resources and personal expertise to increase their presence in the coffee market of Costa Rica and improve the communities of families nationwide. To expand, a major advantage of being a member of a cooperative…
¡Te acompaña siempre!
It’s no secret that coffee has provided numerous benefits to the Costa Ricans since it first became a cash crop some centuries ago. Specifically, coffee trade in the country has provided many economic benefits and given the country a sense of identity in the process. Some examples of the benefits of the exportation of coffee…
Ecotourism Shifting Costa Rica
After hearing multiple anecdotes about the history of Quakers in Monteverde from Don Ricardo, it was clear how much of a positive impact the group had (and still continues to have) on the modern development of the area. With their belief of the equality of all people as motivation, the group provided the first business,…
Over the Hills and Through the Woods
If I could describe today in one word, it would be thriving. We had the chance to meet Don Guillermo, one of the owners of a smaller coffee farm known as Life Monteverde. He discussed with us the history of coffee growing in Monteverde, as well as took us on a tour of the farm….
Are We There Yet?
Coach buses and mountaintops in Central America, two things I never thought I could say I experienced at the same time. Traveling to Monteverde today was a mix of emotions. The long bus ride coupled with driving along skinny dirt roads to get to our hotel at the top of a mountain was equally as…
Finding My Way in San José
At first, the title of today’s post might sound symbolic or metaphorical, but I can assure you it is most definitely literal. This afternoon, I legitimately had to find my way in San José (the capital city of Costa Rica) by asking a local for directions. When giving the directions, the local used a combination…
More Coffee Than Finals Week
In all honesty, I think I drank more coffee today than I have in my entire life. I think that says a lot, especially after just finishing my first year of college. To explain, today consisted of visits to two different companies with rather different approaches to their functions in coffee’s supply chain (and both…
La economía hoy en día
Over time, the economy in Costa Rica has changed drastically, shifting from a socialist Left to a capitalist Right approach. After the most recent election (that shifted the government approach back to the Left), a majority of the workforce lies at odds with the future state of the nation’s economy. After hearing a presentation on…
Rain or Shine, it’s Tico Time!
Today was our first day full day in Costa Rica. With the sun shining through my bedroom window, waking up this morning felt like a breath of fresh air. Although much of the day was spent walking the streets or indulging in the fresh fruits, there was still a significant takeaway. Essentially, my expectations were…
Sustainability & Perceptions
A quick look into Costa Rica’s sustainability and you will immediately find that this small Central American country has a lot to offer as far as initiatives that work to provide a more sustainable environment, economy, and culture. It is evident that the country works to successfully balance energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability…