Now almost one week out from one of the most incredible experiences of my life, I have had some time to reflect on my time in Costa Rica. Many of the same feelings that I expressed in my first blog post still ring true, and they have only deepened since then.
I want to talk about business in Costa Rica. One of the things that struck me about the country was the amount of highly educated individuals in relatively low-paying, working-class jobs. Costa Rica provides its residents with an incredible public education, but with a lack of jobs available, these highly educated citizens struggle to find employment to match their skill level. This highly educated population, however, generates some incredible entrepreneurs.
In visiting businesses and talking with owners and employees, this same passion and togetherness were also evident in the workplace. The people seemed to really care about what they were doing and were not in it for the money. They seemed excited to talk about where they have come from and where they were going, and their passion was contagious. Getting to experience all of this with an incredible group of students and friends is something that I am so grateful for, and I hope to remain friends with these people for many years to come.