This winter I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a study abroad trip in Costa Rica that has changed my perspective on life and business in America. The statement might be odd given the fact I was only there for a little under 2 weeks, but it was all about how I had immersed myself in this experience. The food and culture had put me so far out of my comfort zone personally. However, professionally it changed my way of thinking with business and my mindset when it comes to working.
When we visited different companies in Costa Rica, there were a few differences I noticed when comparing with American businesses. The main difference I saw is that every worker had a passion and love for what they were doing. For instance, when visiting Sibu chocolate, the owner spoke about his chocolate with a passion you wouldn’t find here in America. Due to inflation rates in America and how expensive the cost of living is here, along with the low minimum wage, people pursue careers that will satisfy them financially. Now this is something that people have no choice but to do because their passions might not align with their financial goals. Another thing to note is that the minimum wage in Costa Rica is a salary that allows people to have a decent standard of living, but in America it is $7.25, a wage that is barely livable. With that being said the high minimum wage gives Costa Ricans flexibility in choosing their careers allowing them to do something they love. Additionally, Costa Rica has more laws protecting the employees and employers. Such as not firing them until their mental issues have been solved or giving them months worth of pay when they are fired so they are able to live for a few months without the job. The business relationships are also personal and built on a level of trust and respect. For instance, at Sibu chocolate the owner believes that everyone should be satisfied by the actions of the company, including competitors and employees. There is a high emphasis on respect in the workplace in Costa Rica, with most employees not being able to call them by their first name until given approval to do so. In summary, the Costa Rican business culture was filled with respect, trust, and care with employees and employers having a genuine passion for what they do.
When we weren’t visiting companies, we were interacting with our homestays or going on cultural excursions. My homestay was a fun and exciting experience that allowed me to get a glimpse of life in Costa Rica. Our home was a tight knit family where the daughter still lived with her mother. They were very punctual on meals and curious to know what we had done each day. It was a routine that became familiar: wake up and get ready, eat breakfast, go out for the day, come back, eat dinner, and then our Mama Tica would go to bed. Our Mama and sister Tica tried to teach us Spanish by playing games in Spanish with us or trying to get us to explain our day in Spanish. But not only would they teach us, but we would teach them words in English that they might not have heard before, gently correcting their grammar. I’m very grateful I had such a patient family when it came to my Spanish level and understanding. Additionally, I am a very picky eater so, my Mama Tica was very accommodating with that and tried to keep me happy. Costa Ricans want all parties to be happy and it was evident in the way they treated us and their family. The cultural excursions helped give me a new outlook and perspective on the way that the people live. Our cultural excursions consisted of our cooking class, dance class, fruit tasting, and Toucan Rescue Ranch. In the cooking class, it was clear how much labor and love they put into the food and how they aren’t afraid to make a lot. We were told that Ticos show their love through food and that was made clear at that time. The dance class showed how there is a sense of unity and fun with all Costa Ricans, similar to going out and dancing in America. With the fruit tasting and market visit, we got to experience the traditional fruits Costa Ricans eat but also interact with the market like how they do on the daily. The market was jam packed and people were communicating with the stalls what they wanted. Also, one thing to note is that they only used reusable bags and it makes me wonder why America as a whole hasn’t attempted to make this a definitive practice yet. Lastly, the Toucan Rescue Ranch demonstrated how much Costa Ricans care about their wildlife. The main campaign they have is to prevent people from taking pictures with animals because it not only endangers their lives but ours as well. In the U.S.A you see companies tearing down trees like it is nothing and we witness the animals having to relocate. We even see people riding elephants, feeding animals, or taking close photos with them. This is exactly what Costa Rica tries to prevent and if America ever chose to adopt that practice, the zoos would probably lose their profitability unless they were trying to rehabilitate the animals to put back into the wild. The differences between the behavior and practices of Costa Ricans to Americans is clear to see but that is what made the opportunity to experience Costa Rican culture so beautiful.
Looking back on my trip, there are a few main takeaways that I can gather personally and professionally. Professionally speaking, I recognize the importance of being in a profession that I actually enjoy because it will impact the quality of my work. If I can’t be in a profession I enjoy because of cost, then it is important to be in one that utilizes the natural talents I have that I enjoy using. My time spent in Costa Rica also increased my awareness and understanding of the importance of the impact humanity can have on nature based on the rules and regulations that are in place with it. I will take the insights I have learned and apply them to my future careers. I will ensure that whatever workplace I’m in has a deep care and responsibility for its employees. Not only that, but I will be conscientious of the impact I have on the environment and with animals. This trip has impacted me in a way I did not expect, and it wasn’t the duration but how I immersed myself into the experience. I am extremely grateful for this experience and will remember it for the rest of my life.
