Costa Rica will be one of the most memorable experiences of my collegiate career by far! I already miss seeing the mountains on the horizon and the smell of the mountain air. While I love Texas to death I am yearning for the warmer climate in Costa Rica.
I got to do many fun activities but my favorites were the beach day a Jaco and the chocolate tour at Sibu Chocolates. Jaco was stunning. The water was the perfect temperature and surrounded by mountains. It completely added to the tropical vibe. Plus on the way to the beach, we got to stop by the crocodile bridge. It is famous in Costa Rica for being the place with the highest concentration of wild crocodiles in one area. Having only seen them in zoos it was cool to see the animals in their natural habitat.
The chocolate tour was extremely fun as well. Not only did I get to taste different types of Costa Rican-made chocolate but the owners also gave the group a complete history of the evolution of chocolate. Likewise, they taught us about their business and the future plans they are preparing for in 2022. It was nice to see how businesses are moving forward post COVID-19. Sibu Chocolates emphasized how all their packaging was made out of recycled materials and that they prided themselves on sustainable farming practices. This played a key theme in all the businesses we went to. Costa Rica is a heavily environmentally conscious country. I really appreciate this fact about Costa Rica. Companies actively try to preserve and better the land they live on. ?In contrast, American businesses do not emphasize environmental consciousness to the same degree. While there is a general trend in the US towards more sustainable practice it does not compare to the level that Costa Rican businesses are on.
I firmly believe that this study abroad trip reinforced my goals about working in another country. Who knows, if I don’t return to Costa Rica as a tourist maybe I will return as an employee. My host family already generously offered me a place to stay should I ever find myself back in the country. Only time will tell where I end up but the memories I made during this trip will stay with me for a lifetime.