Howdy from Costa Rica! This winter break, I had the opportunity to travel to the beautiful country that is Costa Rica. During our time here, we’ve visited with many local companies and seen the true natural beauty of the region. Specifically, I would like to focus on the Toucan Rescue Ranch and the cooking class we participated in.
The Toucan Rescue Ranch was the first company we visited on our trip. Here, we took a tour of the ranch, and our guide spoke with us about each of the animals. This was a unique experience as the guides shared each animal’s personal story of how they arrived at the ranch rather than just the usual fun facts. The Toucan Rescue Ranch is a perfect example of Costa Rican business culture, which emphasizes sustainability, social responsibility, and a strong commitment to environmental conservation (the ranch even had an Otter named Emma, which was a highlight of the trip for me).
Another experience I would like to highlight is the cooking class we did. The class took place at a local Mama Tica’s house (Mama Ticas are what we called our host moms). She was an older lady, and what seemed to be her son and grandson were also there at the house. This highlights how common it was to see generational families in a single household. Family relationships are much more valued in Costa Rica than in the U.S., often serving as a cultural pillar. During the class, we made Gallo Pinto (a rice and beans dish), homemade tortillas, Torte de Yuca, and more. It was a great way to immerse myself in the local culture through food, and I am excited to go home and show what I learned.
All in all, this trip has been an eye-opening experience for me. I have learned so much for my first time abroad, and although we are nearing the end, I will forever be grateful for the experiences I have had so far.
