Before coming to Costa Rica, all my knowledge of the country came from conversations with friends and family that have traveled here in the past as well as research I did before the trip. I came to Costa Rica hoping to learn more by experiencing it firsthand. I also wanted to become more comfortable as a foreigner and develop my Spanish-speaking abilities.
In my time here, I have noticed many differences between Costa Rican culture and that of the United States. The word “sustainability” has been present in all our lectures and company visits. I learned very quickly that renewable resources and environmental consciousness are extremely important for any business in Central America. Additionally, the U.S. often has a “live-to-work” culture that prioritizes ambition and career advancement, whereas Costa Rica has more of a “work-to-live” culture that emphasizes leisure, happiness, and healthiness. The country’s slogan is “pura vida” (pure life), and the people here clearly live it every day! In Costa Rica, the food is also much more local, as most of the meats, fruits, and vegetables we have eaten come from local markets rather than large chain stores.
Since we arrived here, I have felt nothing but welcome in this beautiful country. Our host family greeted us at the door as soon as we arrived, and have shown so much kindness and generosity to my fellow students and me! In such a short time, I’ve also gotten much better at speaking and understanding Spanish! The meals they’ve prepared have all been so delicious, and getting to know our host family has made this experience truly one of a kind! Additionally, getting to know my fellow Aggies on this trip has also made it so special! My first week in Costa Rica has been nothing short of incredible, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of our trip has in store!
