I got to learn so much about so many different businesses in Costa Rica. Through this study abroad, I was able to get insight from the owners of many businesses, including an indigenous reserve, a chocolatier, coffee makers, a nature trail, a vegan restaurant, and a zipline/canopy tour business. Something that all these businesses had in common was sustainable methods of going about their process in making their vision come to life. We got to hear the heart behind the reason to create all these places and that was something very valuable to me. Aside from learning the good side of starting a business, we also got to hear some of the nuances from the owners. In Costa Rica, the tip is already included when you get charged for a service, so the country believes everyone should be rewarded/tipped despite how good or bad the service was. It’s good for the worker, but it also doesn’t motivate the worker to always be attentive to the customer. When you have employees, you have to pay for their insurance, social security, and a whole lot of other taxes, which are actually very high in Costa Rica, so many employers have individual contractors working for them without having to pay for workers’ benefits. The country has always been very pacifist and has therefore exonerated any sort of military. Instead of military, taxes go towards free education for all kids until they finish high school. Fun fact: If you don’t send your kids to school, the government takes them away from you, puts them in an orphanage, and sends them to school. Overall, I enjoyed learning more about one of the Latin American country’s economies and culture. This experience was incredible and I highly recommend studying abroad!
Center for International Business Studies Blog