I think everyone knows Costa Rica is a place full of beautiful landscapes and exotic animals, but this study abroad allowed me to experience the country in a much different aspect. After meeting with several entrepreneurs and business owners I learned many similarities and differences compared to business in the United States.
First for some similarities: Each business owner at some point emphasized the importance of location and customer service. They have slightly different tax rates and laws, but overall a similar model to the United States with larger corporations and higher income earners paying more taxes.
And for differences: Employers in Costa Rica are required to pay what they call a 13th-month salary bonus in December. Tourism is the #1 industry in Costa Rica, so the locals (Ticos) put in tons of effort to make life convenient for Americans and Europeans.
With tourism being such a big revenue source in Costa Rica, successful businesses have found locations on popular tourist routes and stops. The visitor experience and foreign countries’ perceptions are more important to them than their own enjoyment. In the United States, we do everything selfishly with only ourselves in mind. However, in Costa Rica, they often export all of their best products to places like the United States and have lower quality for themselves. An astounding fact is the average income per individual is about $10,800 yearly. The host homes we stayed with were middle-class families, and from the street, their homes are tiny and rundown by American standards. Inside the homes were nicer than the initial impression, but it was eye-opening to see the small bathrooms, lack of closets, no dishwashers, and low water pressure. These were middle-class families in Costa Rica and they live without things we consider normal necessities.
Overall I had a blast during my time in Costa Rica. Simple stuff such as ordering a coffee or ice cream was challenging and exciting. No matter the place, the locals always seemed to leave the conversation with the words Pura Vida.
