During my two weeks in Costa Rica, I went on site visits to plantations, hiked through the Cloud Forest, and explored the area.  Staying with my host family gave me the opportunity to really see how a Costa Rican family lives each day.  In my few days in Monteverde, I hiked the cloud forest and participated in a service project with a local school.  At the project, we played with the children and helped them paint their fence.  After Monteverde, we spent one day at Turtle Beach as a group.  It really helped the group bond and get even closer.  Later in the second week, we visited a strawberry farm and then La Paz Waterfall Gardens.  La Paz had many beautiful animals like monkeys, toucans, sloths, and pumas.  The hike at La Paz allowed us to visit five different breathtaking waterfalls. 

Over this study abroad, I have learned how to be more adaptable and open.  I learned how to be more flexible as I lived in another family’s house.  Having the communication barrier between myself and my host family has made me understand how to communicate not only with words.  We used acting and pictures as well as Spanish to communicate with each other.  My Spanish improved greatly as I had to use it each day.

From this program, I also became very knowledgeable with examining the sustainability and efficiency of supply chains.  I specifically studied how companies sourced for their farming.  I examined sourcing of labor, water, raw materials, and technology.  The skills and knowledge I learned abroad I will bring back to Pitt and my future career.  I am certain that supply chains will be involved in some capacity in my future; therefore, I am grateful to have taken part in this wonderful experience.