According to Culture in Development, cultural heritage is “an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values.” My cultural heritage is unique to me as yours is to you. I recently visited Costa Rica, a country with its own unique cultural heritage. As more tourists arrive, could Costa Rica be losing part of its culture?

Costa Rica is in Central America. Christopher Columbus discovered it while making his final voyage to the new world on September 18, 1502. Thereafter, the country gained the name of Costa Rica, meaning Rich Coast, by Spaniard Gil Gonzales. At the time of discovery there were four major indigenous tribes occupying Costa Rica: Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis. Costa Rica’s national language is Spanish and their national religion is Roman Catholic. A common dish, Gallo Pinto, consists mostly of rice and beans. Most meals were served with fresh fruit such as plantain, bananas, starfruit, or cacao.

Costa Rica is home to an estimated 4.5M people. Many from the United States, Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, Germany and other European countries now call Costa Rica home. With this much immigration, I can’t help but think that non-natives are forcing Ticos, those native to Costa Rica, to assimilate to other, more commercialized, ways of living. With more English-speaking citizens, I infer that Costa Rica may be losing its native language.

Historically, Costa Rica’s most profitable economic sector has been agriculture, until tourism surpassed it in 1999; it’s now the second most profitable sector. “Tourism earns more foreign exchange than bananas, pineapples, and coffee exports combined.”

According to The Tico Times, the country received a record 2.66 million tourists in 2015, which generated around $1.7B US dollars. It is easy to see why Costa Ricans are transforming their farms into ecotourism destinations, such as the Finca Don Juan Organic Farm in La Fortuna and the Arenal Eco Zoo in El Castillo.

I got a peak into Costa Rica’s cultural heritage through visits with local farmers. I also experienced Costa Rica’s commercialized, tourism industry, which is becoming more common. I understand there is cultural loss because of profit motives in tourism. At what point will Costa Ricans decide to go back to life as their forefathers lived? I do not now and may never know the answer, but Costa Rica’s cultural heritage is unique. My hope is that many are able to experience it as I did.

Central American country, Costa Rica, is relatively close to the equator. This geographic location has minimal climatic variance throughout summer and winter months, however it does experience a rainy season from May until November. With average temperatures ranging from about 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, this climate is very conducive to growing a wide variety of crops annually. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the Costa Rican economy.

While visiting some rural Costa Rican areas, it became very apparent that farming was a way of life for many Ticos (Costa Rica’s term for native-born citizens). Bananas, star fruit (which is delicious if I may add), various citrus, plantains, and many other types of produce were found on each family farm. Individual households appeared to be food secure, without much worry about their next meal.

The farms failed to tell the whole story about hunger issues some Ticos face daily. Not surprisingly, people who grow their own food had plenty to eat. Even as visitors, I noticed the lack of meat in the average meal, something we Americans consume with nearly every meal. This foreshadowed Costa Rica’s lack of a self-sufficient meat industry. Regardless, it does have the ability to import any meat that consumers may demand.

Malnutrition in Costa Rica does not stem from a lack of food, but from poverty (an inability to afford food), and a lack of adequate micro and macronutrients. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s 2013 report showed Costa Rica had more than a 3% increase in chronic malnutrition from 2010 to 2013. Hunger is one outcome from an unemployment rate of 18%-20%, and an ever-increasing cost of living.

One of the biggest differences I noticed in Costa Rica was the handling of food waste. There were separate receptacles for food versus solid waste at the Texas A&M University’s Soltis Center. These receptacles helped us make conscious efforts to reduce our food waste. Globally, around 1/3 of total food produced is thrown away, it’s wasted, which provides a starting point in reducing malnutrition. If we consume less food, less will be purchased, and less would end up in compost or waste piles, which may drive market prices down.

Solving hunger in Costa Rica begins with reducing poverty and creating a stronger economy with more jobs. The food is there, but the question is how do we make it more readily available to those who need it the most?

In a country named for being “rich,” Costa Rica’s economy faces issues. After visiting Chrisley and Roberto’s operations, Texas A&M University students had a glimpse into the daily lives of a Costa Rican farmer. According to local sources (personal communications, Francisco and Roberto), Costa Ricans face tax increases because of increasing numbers of those who don’t work. We learned the cost of living is increasing, but salaries aren’t, which burdens Costa Rican companies. Francisco and Roberto told students their government has wasted Costa Rica’s money, which worries Ticos (native Costa Ricans) about the affordability of retirement.

When seeking economic solutions, it’s important to recognize that agricultural production has sustained Costa Rica for the last 3,000 years, dating to when humans grew maize to support themselves and their communities.

According to “Costa Rica- Information,” agricultural products account for 60% of export flows, with the majority being coffee and bananas. With revenues of $370 million annually, the coffee industry has done wonders for Costa Rica’s economy. Costa Rica exported coffee since the 1790s, making it the country’s oldest agricultural product.

Banana production became the #1 agricultural export in 1992. Farmers use specific plants like bananas for duplicate purposes. For example, Roberto uses banana trees to provide nutrients for his livestock, while also providing shade to other profitable plants.

Dairy products also count in Costa Rica’s agricultural production. Not many countries can say they produce enough fresh milk to sustain their needs, but Costa Rica can say it. Chrisley Farms, run by Chrisley and his wife Patricia, set their goal to produce homemade cheese for the surrounding community and to create jobs along the way. The intricate process requires heavy self-engineered equipment and a routine rhythm between family members who successfully produce cream, sour cream, and cheese.

Chrisley’s family supports the economy in a way many people could not comprehend. Chrisley Farms sells their cheese for $3 to $4 per ball (about 100 grams) to five local families who are intermediaries for local cheese marketing. These middlemen provide transportation methods to get Chrisley Farms’ cheese to markets. The middlemen sell the cheese in local markets for approximately $5 or $6 per cheese ball. After the cheese has made it to the market, it sells for $7 to $8 per ball.

While Chrisley understands that he could be making much larger profits for his family, he also realizes jobs are needed locally. The ability for one individual to wrap his/her brain around such a powerful idea may be the reason that Costa Rican communities are surviving the ever-changing demands on their economies.

While visiting the very vibrant and biologically diverse country of Costa Rica, our study abroad group was able to witness the culture and work ethic present in the country. Throughout our trip, we discovered that most of the communities were representations of familial collectivism. According to the Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions, Costa Rica on average, scores a low 15 out of 100 in individualism because Ticos (Costa Ricans), especially rural citizens, tend to be very involved in their communities. Most strive to help and serve one another whenever or wherever needed to build stronger and thriving interpersonal bonds. However, the idea of individualism – the belief that the needs of each person is more important than the needs of society as a whole – could be witnessed in one business we visited on our trip: Hot Springs Tourism.

On our eighth day abroad, we drove through the city of La Fortuna. On a small road, staring out of our van’s window, we could see a man bathing in the lake below us. Later that same day, driving back on the same road, where one man was bathing earlier, 20 more now congregated in the same spring, floating and soaking under the trees. These are the Hot Springs of La Fortuna, naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano.

In the early 70s, before commercialization or tourism in Costa Rica became abundant, land was used to graze livestock until wealthy foreigners bought the land. Over time, these owners realized the earth surrounding the volcano was insufficient for plant growth. So eventually, the owners sold the land to new owners who saw the damage caused by overgrazing and bad soil. The new owners took the initiative to repair the soil and plant new crops. While doing so, they discovered the now famous hot springs. They further developed the already naturally formed “pools” and advertised both their beauty and comforts. The combination of both helped satiate the land owner’s want for economic profit by appealing to tourists and locals, while also allowing growth and reforestation for the surrounding rainforest reserves.

Even more specific to the individualist ideal in the hot springs industry, the Tabacon Hot Springs and Spa has quite the history. The first hot spring attraction in Costa Rica was Tabacon. The original owners of Tabacon were Costa Rican. The pools were readily available for locals who wanted a casual dip in the relaxing and medicinal waters. However, as time passed and the economy changed, the owners were forced to sell, and a Colombian foreigner bought Tabacon and increased entry prices, especially for foreigners visiting during their vacations. These price fluctuations still apply today. A local Tico may pay 9,000 Colones (about $18 USD) to enter, while a foreigner (an American for example) may pay anywhere from $30-$40 per visit.

At one time, to further promote profit and privacy, Tabacon owners cut off public access to the hot springs by building a wall in the river to keep out local residents from entering the springs for free. Legally, however, all rivers and lakes, except those sections located on private property, belong to the public and its counties. In response, the locals tore the wall down. In retaliation, Tabacon owners planted grass and obstructing plants in the open areas surrounding the springs so non-payers were unable to park their cars. But once again, that has not stopped the Ticos and their “PURA VIDA” mentality. Nowadays, most just park on the side of the road facing the springs and take a dip whenever they like. As they say in Costa Rica, “the land belongs to the people.”

Collectivism can be briefly defined as an “emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity,” whereby the group’s success ensures the individual’s well-being. In Costa Rica, collectivism can be seen in different forms throughout the country. For example, land surrounding Volcano Arenal has been preserved since the volcano’s last eruption in 1968. This conservation effort represents collectivism because it benefits the greater good of society through protection of a natural resource for future generations.

After visiting the town of La Fortuna, our group took a hike on Volcano Arenal. The extent of conservation with the idea of collectivism in mind was obvious. The main idea was to protect the volcano and surrounding rainforest, while reminding visitors of the area’s historical significance. After erupting and completely burying the city in 1968, the volcano continued to produce small eruptions until 2010, before going into a resting phase. The volcano has become a significant attraction to Costa Rica.

In addition to hiking the volcano, tourists may also visit other attractions at its base. There are several hotels, the famous Eco-Termales Hot Springs, ATV and horseback rides, waterfall tours, and the beautifully simplistic rainforest open for those wanting to explore more nature.

Collectivism can be observed because the benefits of the volcano and surrounding activities are not exclusive to one individual. Rather, they benefit the well-being of surrounding communities and Costa Rica by generating income, while keeping the history of this magnificent beast alive.

Another example of collectivism was seen at the Chrisley farm. The owner, Mr. Chrisley, may have an individualistic mindset, but his occupation in the dairy industry enhances his collectivistic practices by allowing him to support something larger than himself. Mr. Chrisley and his family raise dairy cattle, using the milk to produce their own one-of-a-kind cheese blend, the most common being mozzarella.

Just as in the United States, farming and ranching in Costa Rica takes time and dedication. The Chrisley family may be one of the more affluent families because they inherited their land from previous generations, However, they welcome others to share in their affluence.

While it can be argued that Mr. Chrisley is an individualist, he practices a collectivistic occupation. Mr. Chrisley said that he could easily ask higher prices for his cheese and keep all the profits, but he wants to help his community and other families. He has opted to be the middle-man for five other families who buy his cheese, then resell it for higher prices.

Collectivism can be a controversial topic because it is viewed in different ways. From my time in Costa Rica, I have a new-found understanding of collectivism and how it compares to individualism. I challenge everyone who reads this blog to take a look beyond their personal desires, and find a way to improve society. Costa Rica has definitely opened my eyes to the many ways, both large and small, that I can be a part of something bigger than myself.

Costa Rica, when this country comes to mind some people think of the beach, some think rain forest, and maybe some of the simple-minded think about monkeys. I could almost bet natural resource conservation is not something that crosses your mind, but it should. Costa Rica is one of the most resourceful countries.

Or as Ambassador Cedeño Molinari succinctly said

One hundred percent of all the inputs and all the raw materials for all industrial and economic processes to produce all the products and services that we use come from the environment. One hundred percent. It’s not a fraction; it’s all of them.

While we were visiting Costa Rica, I got to experience many ways that they were able to re-use waste products, not only trash, but manure from farms that would be reused for fertilizer in the future. In January, 2016 the Texas A&M Soltis Center received 18.5 inches of rain for the whole month. The first 10 days we were there in January 2017, the Soltis Center received 18.7 inches of rain. This was a record-setting amount of rain.

While we were traveling, and exploring Costa Rica we crossed many bodies of water that were rushing with an outstanding amount of power. We did some thinking and, what if those farms did not dispose of their waste properly? Well, the downstream effect would take place and all the water would be polluted. The country would experience so much compost and diluted materials in the water that would affect not only animals, but farmers using the river water as well.

I enjoyed traveling and exploring Costa Rica. One thing that stood out to me that is not very common here in the United States, is the amount of recycling centers they have set up. Every restaurant, including the Soltis Center kitchen, had a place to dispose of food scraps, plastic, and paper. But, it doesn’t stop there instead of having normal trash cans outside of super markets and gas stations, they had the recycling center. This absolutely amazed me! What if, just what if we had more recycle stations here in the United States? Would people use them, or would you continue to just throw everything in the trash because it is the most convenient?

With these thoughts in your head, what if I told you that there is absolutely no smoking allowed around the smalls towns. Crazy, right? I could not tell you the number of Prohibido Fumar (No Smoking) signs I saw in Costa Rica. These small but very impactful things that they do in Costa Rica that impacts the country tremendously.

So, let me leave you with this, after hearing the name Costa Rica, what will you think now? I know I had a completely different outlook on their conservation after our trip. Now I only hope that I can attempt to do half of the conservative tasks that are performed in Costa Rica while living in College Station.

The Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences identified five Grand Challenges as complex problems facing our world. One of those challenges is the need for Enriching Our Youth. The challenge of enriching the lives of youth in Costa Rica has been approached through collaborative efforts to improve their education, health, and overall wellness. Overall health and wellness of the country’s youth has been improved with Costa Rica’s social security system by providing them with quality healthcare and vaccinations.

The Costa Rican government has partnered with private agencies to focus on the initiative to enrich the lives of their youth. Progressive policies have improved the quality of life and the ability to access resources for many Costa Rican families. The Texas A&M Agricultural Leadership and Education study abroad program provided me with a firsthand look at how “partnering of multiple sectors” improves the overall well-being of communities.

The World Factbook reports Costa Ricans have access to “education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity” and these services have improved the standard of living and the life expectancy rate. Costa Rica’s poverty rate is reported to be lower than in most Latin American countries. By the Costa Rican education system enriching the youth of Costa Rica, students have a bright future as highly skilled professionals.

The Texas A&M AgriLife research and outreach has helped guide citizens worldwide about the importance of educating youth in specific skills required to be successful productive members of society. The enhancements in education for Costa Rican youth have provided opportunities for children to attend school and develop skills that will help them to get jobs when they grow up. Internations.org states that almost every Costa Rican child attends school from ages 6 to 13. Students have choices between a five-year academic secondary school and a six-year technical school. Both schools qualify students to attend universities.

There are four public universities and several private schools where students continue their education to prepare for their future. The Ministry of Education implemented computer science and English into the curriculum to give students the skills needed to keep up with international standards. Internations.org reported 85% of students in primary schools take English classes. Costa Rican students are informed about their career choices and how educational decisions will affect their future in the developing technology and tourism industries.

Collaboration, dedication, lifelong commitment, and family are all things that were very apparent on the Chrisley Farm. This farm was a good example of a pluralistic approach. A pluralist perspective is about seeing multiple points of view within a larger picture. I went to this farm as a part of my school’s study abroad trip. It was one of our first stops and was the most impressionable. I was blown away by the different values and views held by Mr. Chrisley. He did not speak English, but I was able to get a sense of the love he possessed for what he did. He was so genuine and kind to all of us. He conveyed the “Pura Vida” lifestyle that Costa Ricans live by.

The Chrisley farm was great because it showed me how much Costa Ricans value their homes and the fruits of their labors. They appreciate the opportunities provided by the land and the value of hard work. Within the first few hours of our visit, the Chrisley family invited us into their home, showing us the life of an average Costa Rican dairy farmer. I was humbled by the patience Mr. Chrisley had with 30 students because he let each one of us take a turn milking his cow. This made an impact on me because we are not used to that kind of generosity in the United States.

Mr. Chrisley also grew fruits and vegetables, along with making cheese from milk collected from his dairy cattle. He truly provides for his family with his own two hands, making cheese from scratch, and caring for all the crops and animals on his land.

Mr. Chrisley has discovered many different applications for one piece of land; he uses the small parts of his operations for the bigger picture, which is his community. He trades his goods locally to support his family. His efforts aren’t alone though. Mr. Chrisley also collaborates with five other local families who benefit from one another by trading and selling their goods at discounted prices. Everyone is satisfied with their earnings because it’s enough for each family’s livelihood.

I appreciated Chrisley’s Farm and having the opportunity to meet with such a wonderful family.

It was a perfect start to the Costa Rica trip because it definitely kept my mind open to the “Pura Vida” lifestyle! Mr. Chrisley taught me the value of hard work and the importance of using the land fully. This was by far my favorite visit during the study abroad. I plan to live PURA VIDA!

In countries outside the United States, proper nutrition and health due to lack of sufficient food is a large problem. I was curious to see what the Costa Rican’s diet consisted of. When travelling to a foreign country I’ve never been to before, I was a tad concerned on how much I would like the food, and if I was going to be famished the whole time. Costa Rican cuisine did pass the test of my expectations though. Costa Ricans have a varied diet. The “Ticos” definitely have a healthy living influence and the everyday meals consist of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy carbohydrates.

During one of farm visits, we tried many fresh fruits picked right from the trees. The bananas had no comparison to what we call bananas in the US. They had so much more flavor. Their pineapple was also out of this world. I enjoyed all of their wonderful fruit. They had different fruit than we have such as the starfruit and the sweet lemon. It was obvious the difference in the freshness of fruit. And the fresh fruit is so easily accessible.

 

Nutrition is an essential part of health. In Costa Rica, I noticed they value food on its nutritional content, not just for its aesthetic value. As Americans, we eat what sounds good, what is convenient for us, or what we crave. In Costa Rica, they just consume well balanced meals and what is necessary to fuel their body with energy so that they can work.

From all the meals we consumed, I have gathered that Costa Ricans have a very balanced diet that consists of certain things for each meal. When I say for “every meal,” I am not over exaggerating. I was served Gallo Pinto, or rice and beans, for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition to rice and beans, we often were served some sort of salad consisting of lettuce or cabbage and tomatoes, an assortment of vegetables, plantains that are cooked many different ways, and then a protein. The protein was either beef, pork, chicken, or fish. It is typically seared or grilled but never fried. Quite often this protein was chicken. All in all, the food was very lean.

Costa Ricans eat foods with high nutritional content and have a very balanced diet. The Gallo Pinto is low in fat and calories and high in protein and good carbohydrates. The food typically lacked a lot of flavor that suited my tastes. At home I put salt on everything, but they don’t use salt much at all, which is much better for their health. The meat seemed to be leaner and they didn’t fry it. Costa Rican cuisine is healthier than what I am used to, and I appreciate their healthy living values. We could definitely learn from them in the United States. Our country suffers from obesity issues and could benefit from the way Costa Ricans eat and the freshness of their food.

If you’re interested in trying the traditional Costa Rican dish I experienced, here is a recipe for Gallo Pinto, the most popular dish of Costa Rica.

Gallo Pinto Ingredients
2 Tbs. Canola oil
2 medium Onions
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/4 Cups Rice, white
3 Cups Black beans, cooked
1 Tsp. Cumin, ground
1 Tsp. Coriander, ground
6 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce (or Lizano sauce)
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Black pepper, freshly ground to taste

Gallo Pinto Directions
1. Put onion in a skillet. When onion starts to turn color, add garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until onion is golden.
2. Stir in rice, beans and seasonings, combining well. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup liquid from canned beans, if desired, to make the rice “dirty.”
3. Cook until heated through, and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

When most people consider the economy, their minds quickly go to money. The more money a country has, the better their economy. According to the World Bank’s research in Costa Rican economics, the country enjoyed stable economic growth until the crisis in 2009. The World Bank calls Costa Rica an environmental world leader because of its agricultural development and natural commodities produced in the rainforest climate.

The Tico Times (name for local Costa Rican people) explains that Costa Rica does not have a military force. Instead of investing funds in military efforts, the country has used the money to further the education of its citizens. As taxes continue to increase, Costa Ricans will eventually be required to work until they are 70 instead of 55. According to our guide, Francisco Morazan, the economic system is set up where big companies do not pay much in taxes, while poor families end up paying more.

During my study abroad, I had the opportunity to interview Morazan, who is very knowledgeable about Costa Rican Agriculture. With his help as a guide, we witnessed different types of economic growth and production at local farms. Costa Rica’s economic-related experiences have caused my horizons to broaden. I’ve learned a variety of facts about the economy through my observations.

According to Morazan, a major commodity strengthening the economy is medicinal plants. There are hundreds of medicinal plants in Costa Rica, many of which have not yet been discovered. These plants are sold and exported worldwide. For example, Costa Ricans use Achiote for various medicinal purposes including application on chapped lips.

Another enterprise that fascinated me is the coffee and the experience it provides those gaining knowledge about it. Travelers come from afar to tour the farms and take some coffee home with them. Because I consider myself a coffee connaisseur, I especially enjoyed learning the proper way to prepare the coffee. Encyclopedia Britannica statistics show that nearly half of the coffee exported is sold in the United States.

Lastly, we visited a tilapia farm. According to The CIA World Factbook, approximately .32 percent of the country’s GDP invests in tilapia farming. Experiencing this aspect of the country’s economy by tilapia fishing was an incredible experience.

Overall, Costa Rica’s economy is secure and experiencing growth. The World Bank’s research shows that from 2000 to 2014 the country’s overall GDP increased by 4.5 percent. The experience of learning about Costa Rica’s economy helped me appreciate my time on the study abroad even more. There is a plethora of information available to tourists and students as they travel to Costa Rica, and the details presented here simply skims the surface.

My friend Natalie and I crushed sugarcane to produce a liquid sugar.  Sugarcane is an important commodity to Costa Rica’s economy. The USDA explains that although it is an important commodity, production is decreasing due to the drought in Guanacaste. For example, 464 million tons were produced this past year, compared to 481 million tons produced but the previous year. In conclusion, this picture shows the joy-filled moments we found in Costa Rica.