These past two weeks have been filled with amazing experiences and lessons. Costa Rica is a beautiful country that is rich in culture and traditions. Not only that, but I also learned that it is a great place to do business in. Some investment opportunities include technology & innovation, renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure development and so much more! The way in which business is conducted in Costa Rica is very similar to the U.S. Professional attire is very important along with being on time, even though in Costa Rica they are used to being on “tico time”. One difference between the two countries is that in Costa Rica meeting structures can involve some socializing beforehand. People in Costa Rica are very friendly and really love to socialize. I also learned that knowing English in Costa Rica is very important in the business world and can give you a boost.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was engaging with the people. In our homestay city which was not a tourist city, we did get many staring faces but I don’t blame them. We looked very out of place and lost at times. Besides that many people would smile and say “pura vida” which means “pure life”. People did not seem to be in a rush everywhere like they seem to be here in the U.S. My program had host families and my family was so loving. They introduced me to so many new foods and made me feel welcomed to not only their home but also to their country.
This trip has made me realize that people are more alike than we think. We are all humans. We all live life on this Earth. We all want to be happy. The way in which we do so, is what makes us different. Costa Rica thank you for everything, I’ll see you soon.