Never would I have imagined that I would get the opportunity to participate in two faculty-led programs within one year. I attended the Malta, Sicily, and Italy trip in May, which led me to immediately sign up for another one this winter, which is in Costa Rica. I expect to gain a global perspective of the businesses in South America and compare them to the ones I learned about in Europe as well as the ones in the United States. I want to grasp the hardships and challenges a smaller populated country faces with a unique economy, government, and culture.
Initially, I thought I knew what to expect on the trip since I had already completed a two-week program in Europe; however, it has been entirely different! The “Pura Vida” (pure life) lifestyle is a big part of Costa Rican culture, which reflects their relaxed and positive approach to life. This idea can be seen just by driving down the streets and observing locals taking evening walks, kids playing in local parks, and families having picnics on the side of the road. This slow pace of life is very different from the overachieving American lifestyle, where everyone has vast goals of the so-called “American dream.” For this trip specifically, we get the blessing of staying with a Costa Rican local who has opened their home for our hospitality. Our “mamatica” has been so welcoming to my other roommate and me, and we have become so close with her! The meals she has cooked us contain foods like gallo pinto (rice and beans), plantains, and fresh fruits like papaya, mango, and star fruit, unlike the typical processed foods in America. Another unique fact about Costa Rica is that they do not have street signs. Many locals tend to utilize supermarkets, distinctive landmarks, and other things to show a location. Even if there is a street sign, it tends not to be very useful.
Costa Rica is very different from the United States. However, its culture, landscape, and population make it a unique location to learn about Latin America’s way of life.
