Maybe you’re majoring or minoring in economics or finance. Or perhaps you’re looking to study abroad, but you’re not sure where to go. Have you ever thought about Costa Rica? The Weisman Center’s Study Abroad Office is offering a winter intersession study abroad program that could be just what you’re looking for. The program is called “Costa Rica: The Economics of the Environment, Business, Culture and Global Sustainability.” Last winter, Economics professor Christine Farias took a group of CUNY students on this program to Costa Rica where they learned about sustainability from local small business owners and experienced first-hand how sustainability is practiced by Costa Rican farmers. For most of the students who took the plunge, it was an experience that they won’t soon forget.
Why Costa Rica? You don’t have to be seeking a career in sustainable business to enjoy two weeks of balmy Central American weather. Whether or not sustainability is part of your future career goals, you will be bound to develop a newfound appreciation for the environment around us. Plus, it’s a great experience to mention at interviews. Moreover, the program will count as an upper-level elective towards a degree in economics or finance. If this is starting to sound like a great way to spend the winter intersession, read on.
The 14-day program was prefaced by an entire semester’s worth of preparation. Throughout the semester, students attended a series of lectures introducing them to the economic theories behind sustainable development, tourism and cash crops vital to the Costa Rican economy. A sustainability retreat in October gave the team a taste of what they were going to experience over the winter intersession. Professor Farias took the class to upstate New York where students witnessed the effects of fracking on local businesses and spoke with members of the community who were impacted by the practice. One week into December, the intrepid students had their tickets booked and their group projects completed. On January 6th their two-week journey began.
In Costa Rica, the group traveled to several different regions of the country to visit plantations and businesses, hear from lecturers, and understand the culture. At EARTH University in Guacimo, for example, students were able to see for themselves how farmers and business owners minimized and reused waste products to create a truly self-sustaining operation. Throughout their stay in Costa Rica, Professor Farias and her students had countless opportunities to immerse themselves in the local culture and examine how sustainable business practices change the way a community interacts with its environment. From the rainforests of Manzanillo to the farming communities of Yorkin, last year’s Costa Rica program taught students everything they wanted to know about sustainability—and much more.
The program is open to all CUNY students and may be used to satisfy major or minor requirements for Baruch students who are studying economics. Start planning today; the application deadline is September 1st. For more information, read the course brochure. Also, check out this article by Baruch student Shehab Chowdhury for more details on how students spent their stay in Costa Rica.