Anxiously Awaiting to Begin the Costa Rican Adventure

This is my first blog post in anticipation of leaving for Costa Rica on Saturday.  I'm beyond excited to be a part of the UL Lafayette Study Abroad Program and to be able to study International Business in a different country.  I feel privileged that I not only get to learn about international business practices as part of the MBA program, but that I get to travel to a different country, experience a whole new culture, make new memories, and have adventures that I will never forget. 

After reviewing the itinerary, it is clear that we will be experiencing all that Costa Rica has to offer.  Not only do we get to visit businesses where we can see how souvenirs and medical supplies are manufactured, but we also to get to visit national parks and local landmarks.  While our days will be busy and long, I look forward to wearing myself out everyday because there is so much information and knowledge to take in and experience. 

As far as all the sites we will be visiting, I am most excited to visit Earth University and the Sloth Sanctuary.  Earth University is such an exciting place that gives me hope for the future.  Not only do they strive to teach and further sustainable practices, but they also help fund their initiatives by supplying organic bananas for Whole Foods.  To me, Earth University demonstrates that you can be successful, eco-friendly, and resourceful with what is already present in the environment.  The Sloth Sanctuary is an obvious favorite for the simple reason of having sloths.  I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are all tremendously excited to visit and hold a baby sloth.  These animals are just too cute to resist, so how can we not be excited to visit a large colony where they all live?

While the trip is only a few days away, it still does not feel like it is actually happening.  I signed up for the program so early last fall that it always seemed so far away.  I don't think it will be real for me until I land in San Jose.  I'm nervous to once again travel outside the country.  While I have been to London, Barcelona, and Paris twice, I have never been to a tropical environment or a country like Costa Rica.  

Despite the unknown, I am looking forward to new experiences and stepping outside of my normal comfort zone.  I relish the opportunity to broaden my horizons by not only visiting a new place, but to experience how business is conducted in a different part of the world.  I cannot wait to learn all kinds of new information, while having fun and making memories at the same time. 

To be continued once I land in Costa Rica,

Adiós por ahora