Five students studied in Costa Rica over Winter Term to deepen their knowledge of international business and economics.
Elon MBA students studied abroad in Costa Rica over Winter Term for a deep dive into the culture and business environment of the Central American nation.
The trip’s itinerary provided a mix of company visits, cultural tours, and reflection sessions, allowing students to absorb the complexities of doing business in a diverse environment.
“I appreciated traveling with my cohort from different industries,” said Brandon Swindell G’24, a team leader at Fidelity Investments from New Bern, N.C. “We each enjoyed learning more about our peers industry’s, and their professional experiences.”
A visit to AstraZeneca also stood out to a group who learned how the organization tailors and implements marketing standards in multiple countries.
“The most impactful experience of the trip was our service project with Lifting Hands,” said Warren Snell G’24 of Apex, N.C., who works as a customer demand manager at Cisco.
Swindell echoed this impact. “Seeing how Lifting Hands is able to have a massive impact on their communities with limited financial resources was a highlight of the trip,” he said.
The group observed how businesses keeps sustainability in mind with their practices. “After seeing the La Paz waterfall and the Poás Volcano, I understand why sustainability is important to the people and businesses of Costa Rica.” Swindell said.
The study abroad was from January 7-14, 2024, and the group had company visits with:
- Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency
- Phillips
- AraCacao
- Starbucks Coffee Farm
- Cámara Nacional de Ecoturismo y Turismo Sostenible
- AstraZeneca
- Lifting Hands
About the Elon MBA
Designed for working professionals from Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham and beyond, the Elon MBA offers small class sizes, a curriculum focused on the transfer of course content to practical applications, professional development support for students and alumni and extraordinary faculty committed to teaching and engaged learning. Learn more at elon.edu/mba.